Yehoshua (Shuki) Horesh

senior partner

"years of litigation and cross-examinations have made him able to convince judges in hard and complex cases."

By Chambers Global

Overview

Practice Areas: Arbitration Construction and Infrastructure Disputes Dispute Resolution Energy Disputes Land Use and Planning Private Clients and Wealth Management Tenders and Government Procurement Disputes

Industries: Energy and Natural Resources Infrastructure

Shuki is one of the Senior Partners in the firm.
Described as “formidable in court” by Chambers Global and “unbeatable” by The Legal 500, Yehoshua (Shuki) Horesh is widely recognized as one of Israel’s leading litigators. As joint head of the firm’s Dispute Resolution Practice Group, Shuki’s practice encompasses the full range of commercial and corporate disputes, with particular emphasis on real estate disputes, construction, engineering and infrastructure disputes, energy related disputes, tenders, hostile takeovers, contracts, shareholder disputes, competition law and administrative law.

Shuki has acted on many of the largest construction, town planning, infrastructure development and energy projects that have gone to tender in Israel in recent years, including the transfer of military and police training centers and barracks to the Negev, the Fast Lane BOT project on Highway 1, the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem Highway, the high-speed train service connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and Highway 431.

Shuki acts for many key players in Israel’s economy, including: Paz Oil, Israel’s largest fuel company; the Israel Electric Corporation; Shapir Civil and Marine Engineering; the Minrav Group; Electra, a major electromechanical and construction company; and a large number of quarry operators.

Shuki has instituted and defended challenges to tenders, regulatory approvals, zoning and land use regulations, environmental ordinances, health and safety compliance, project development agreements and construction and maintenance contracts. He has also argued precedent-setting cases regarding public and private land use rights, including the conversion of agricultural land into residential land.

Languages: EnglishHebrewHungarian

Admissions: Israel Bar, 1976

Education: Tel Aviv University, LL.B.

Experience

Representing the Municipality of Tel Aviv in one of the largest disputes in Israel’s history, concerning claims by the Tel Aviv Municipality (and other Israeli municipalities ) regarding monies due from the Israel Land Administration. The claim is valued at approximately USD 560 million.
Representing Ashtrom Group, one of Israel’s largest construction companies, and its European joint venture partner, Dragados, in a NIS 1 billion (USD 285 million) claim against the Ashdod Port Company for additional compensation arising from the Company’s mismanagement of the HaYovel port in Ashdod. Shuki acted for the clients, successfully settling the claim through mediation.
Representing the Paz Group in several multi-million dollar commercial and antitrust disputes, including a long-running dispute between Paz and its petrol station operators.
Representing Paz before Israel’s Supreme Court in proceedings it initiated against the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Energy, and other public entities, challenging and seeking to set aside the Government’s decision to reduce the profit margins of fuel companies on the sale of certain price controlled fuel products.
Representing Shapir Civil and Marine Engineering in an NIS 680 million lawsuit against Israel’s Knesset for payment of overdue bills in respect of the refurbishment and construction of a new wing of the Knesset.
Representing the Israel Electric Corporation in all aspects of its activities, including defending class actions, licencing proceedings, tariffs, antitrust matters and development plans, in connection with tenders (the IEC publishes the largest number and highest contract value tenders in Israel) and environmental matters.
Representing Shapir Civil and Marine Engineering in an NIS 500 million lawsuit against the State of Israel regarding its construction of a BOT project for a Fast Lane on Highway 1 connecting Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv.
Representing E.S.P.Y. Ltd., an environmental projects company, in administrative and civil law matters relating to Israel’s largest construction waste landfill site, regarding permits to operate, zoning and construction, and in civil proceedings against the Israel Land Administration relating to the client’s rights to operate and use the landfill.
Representing Granite Hacarmel, one of Israel’s largest infrastructure companies and a subsidiary of the Azrieli Group, Israel’s largest real estate company, in proceedings against the Water Desalination Administration, concerning the client’s licence to operate a desalination plant, following a sharp reduction in the quantity of water for desalination granted via the licence. As a result of the proceedings, the reduction was significantly minimized.

Recognition

Chambers Global 2024: “Shuki Horesh is a very talented and experienced litigator in the field of commercial litigation.”
The legal 500 2023: Ranked Shuki as a leading individuals in the field of Dispute resolution: local litigation and arbitration.
Chambers Global 2023: “…a distinguished lawyer who is well versed in handling a range of significant commercial and antitrust disputes. He has particular experience in the energy, construction and infrastructure sectors”.
The Legal 500 EMEA 2022: Leading individuals – Dispute resolution: local litigation and arbitration
Chambers Global 2022: “…a distinguished lawyer who is well versed in handling a range of significant commercial and antitrust disputes.”
Chambers Global 2022: “He has extensive experience as a litigator in many fields. He has the ability to represent our needs in a determined and clear manner.”
Chambers Global 2019: Sources state that “years of litigation and cross-examinations have made him able to convince judges in hard and complex cases.”
Chambers Global 2018: Yehoshua Horesh is widely recognised for his experience and ability… Sources appreciate him as “a very experienced litigator” with a “very sharp mind.”
Chambers Global 2016: Yehoshua garners the respect of market observers as a dedicated and talented litigator. Sources say: “I have a lot of respect for him – he is excellent, and would be my first choice for litigation in Israel.”
Chambers and Partners: Names Shuki as a key individual in dispute resolution, stating: “Yehoshua Horesh’s wide-ranging caseload includes disputes relating to real estate, antitrust and administrative law”.
Chambers Global Guide: Ranks Shuki among the leading litigators in Israel in the field of dispute resolution, describing him as “exceptional”, the “core part of a fantastically professional team,” and states, “once you’ve seen him in court you’ll understand why he’s a top litigator”.
Chambers Global Client’s Guide: Has repeatedly lauded Yehoshua for his work and eloquent presentation in the field of dispute resolution, based on client recommendations such as: an “experienced individual, whose expertise and talents we rely upon and trust implicitly” (2012); and as “an excellent, practical, thorough and bright lawyer, one of the leading litigators in Israel” (2010).
The Legal 500 EMEA TOP TIER 2013: Lists Shuki as a leading litigator in Israel. The Legal 500 has listed Yehoshua as a leading individual and recommends his strengths in the field of dispute resolution, stating: he is “formidable in court and knows exactly when and how to negotiate a settlement”.
European Legal Experts: Recommends Shuki as a leading lawyer in Israel and as an expert in the fields of competition, dispute resolution, project finance/energy, and real estate.