Clifford Chance
Delphine Siino Courtin specialises in projects and project finance, particularly in Africa and Europe.
Delphine has advised on projects in the power, oil & gas and mining sectors as well as on French private finance initiatives (PFI) and on acquisitions in the energy sector.
Delphine is the Africa Practice Leader for Energy and Infra Transition.
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, Paris
- +33 1 4405 5236
- Email me
- Speaks French, English and Italian
- Practice area Global Financial Markets
- Sector Banks, Energy & resources
Career and qualifications
- King’s College University, London (LLB in English Law)
- University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne (French Maîtrise in French Private Law) 1998
- University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne (DEA in International Private Law and International Trade) 1999
- Trainee, Herbert Smith London 2000
- Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 2002
- Associate, Herbert Smith Paris 2002
- Admitted as an avocat in Paris 2004
- Joined Clifford Chance 2005
- Partner since 2014
Awards and citations
- Delphine Siino Courtin is ranked as one of the 'Leading Individuals' for the practice.
Legal 500 2024, EMEA Project Finance - France - Delphine Siino Courtin is ranked as part of the 'Hall of Fame' for the practice.
Legal 500 2024, EMEA Industry Focus: Energy - France - Delphine Siino Courtin (Band 2) is a highly established practitioner with a strong reputation for her assistance with project development and financing in Africa, as well as with concession projects. She demonstrates particular expertise in renewable energy mandates, notably for the structuring of wind and solar mandates.
"Delphine Siino Courtin is an outstanding professional and impressively sophisticated."
Chambers Europe 2024, Projects & Energy: International - France
Chambers Global 2024, Projects & Energy: International - France
- Delphine Siino Courtin is ranked as "Highly regarded" and "Women Leaders".
IFLR 2023, Project Development, Banking, Project Finance - France - Delphine Siino Courtin is ranked as one of the 'Leading Individuals' for the practice.
Legal 500 EMEA 2023, Project Finance - France - Delphine Siino Courtin is ranked in the 'Hall of Fame' for the practice.
Legal 500 EMEA 2023, Industry Focus: Energy - France - Delphine Siino Courtin (Band 2 and Foreign expert for Africa-wide ) is a highly established practitioner with a strong reputation for her assistance with project development and financing in Africa, as well as with concession projects.
"She has a lot of knowledge, is very efficient and has good negotiation skills."
"Delphine is a first-rate brilliant lawyer."
Chambers Global 2023, Projects & Energy: International - France
Chambers Europe 2023, Projects & Energy: International: Finance - France - Delphine Siino-Courtin is ranked as "Highly Regarded".
IFLR 2022, Project development, Banking, Project finance - France - Delphine Siino-Courtin is ranked as one of the 'Next Generation Partners' for the practice.
Legal 500 2022, Tunisia: Foreign Firms - France - Delphine Siino-Courtin is ranked as one of the 'Leading Individuals' for the practice.
Legal 500 2022, Project Finance - France - Delphine Siino-Courtin is ranked as one of the 'Leading Individuals' for Energy Projects.
Legal 500 2022, Industry Focus: Energy - France - Delphine Siino Courtin is a highly established practitioner with a strong reputation for her assistance with project development and financing in Africa, as well as with concession projects. One source describes her as "a brilliant lawyer," while another remarks that she is "good at finding compromises in order to help deals proceed." Ranked Band 2 (Projects & Energy: International: Finance) and Foreign expert for Africa-wide.
Chambers Global 2022, Projects & Energy: International - France
Chambers Europe 2022, Projects & Energy: International - France - Delphine Siino Courtin is ranked as "Leading Individual".
Legal 500 2021, Industry Focus: Energy - France
- Delphine Siino Courtin is ranked as "Leading Individual".
Legal 500 2021, Project Finance - France - Delphine Siino-Courtin is ranked as "Highly regarded".
IFLR EMEA 2021, Banking, Energy and Infrastructure, Project development, Project finance - France - Delphine Siino Courtin progresses in the rankings this year following increased visibility and a raft of praise from sources. She is renowned for advising financial institutions on energy and infrastructure projects, particularly in West Africa. One impressed client describes her as a "remarkable lawyer," and adds: "I have always been very impressed by her and it is always a pleasure to work with her, not only because she is highly competent, but also because she is very friendly."
Chambers Global 2021, Projects & Energy: International - France
Chambers Europe 2021, Projects & Energy: International - France - Delphine Siino Courtin is ranked as "Highly Regarded".
IFLR 2020, Banking, Energy and Infrastructure, Project Development, Project Finance - France - Delphine Siino Courtin is ranked as "Leading Individual"
Legal 500 2020, Project Finance - France - Delphine Siino Courtin is ranked as "Leading Individual"
Legal 500 2020, Industry Focus: Energy (Energy Projects) - France - Delphine Siino Courtin predominantly assists with the financing aspects of cross-border energy mandates including gas, hydro and solar projects. She regularly acts for lenders across African jurisdictions, winning praise for her "knowledge of the market and experience with transactions in this region" as well as her "pragmatic and deal-oriented approach."
Chambers Global 2020, Projects & Energy: International - France
Chambers Europe 2020, Projects & Energy - France - "Clifford Chance's state-of-the-art public law, project finance and M&A infrastructure capabilities make the firm an infrastructure and energy project leader in France, in Africa and other parts of the world. The practice is currently advising on many of France's largest rail, motorway, broadband network and renewable projects. Highlights included assisting Eiffage Concessions with its tender bid for the RCEA motorway project tender, and EDF EN with the floating offshore wind test project. The firm is also involved in large-scale LNG, gas power, geothermal and hydro projects, mostly in Africa but also in other diverse jurisdictions including Georgia and Indonesia. It is assisting the government of Ethiopia with a 500MW geothermal project. The group is also advising on strategic new pipeline projects and on major infrastructure projects in Turkey including assisting a group of lenders with the Bursa health campus project. The 27-lawyer team is made up of high-profile figures including Anthony Giustini, Nikolaï Eatwell, Daniel Zerbib, Richard Tomlinson, Delphine Siino Courtin and public law expert David Préat."
Legal 500 EMEA 2019, Project Finance - France - "Combining first-class public law, project, finance and M&A expertise, Clifford Chance has impressive capabilities that are difficult to match. In France, the firm is advising sponsors on the country's largest offshore wind projects, and also advised on major gas, heat and renewables infrastructure M&A transactions. It assisted Cube Infrastructures with the disposals of district heating supplier Idex and Taranis. The practice is equally strong in the oil and gas and power sectors at international level, often acting for lenders and also for sponsors. It is advising on large-scale LNG, gas power, geothermal and hydro projects, primarily in Africa but also in other jurisdictions including Georgia and Indonesia. Highlights included assisting Sace with the financing of the Coral Floating LNG project in Mozambique, as well as Cacib with the financing of the Muara Tawar gas-fired power plant in Indonesia, and the government of Ethiopia with a 500MW geothermal project. The group also advises on highly strategic new pipeline projects. Key names include David Préat, Laurent Schoenstein, Benjamin De Blegiers, Anthony Giustini, Nikolaï Eatwell, Delphine Siino Courtin, Richard Tomlinson and Daniel Zerbib."
Legal 500 EMEA 2019, Industry Focus: Energy - France - Delphine Siino Courtin advises lenders on large scale projects in francophone Africa, drawing on her expertise as co-founder of the Paris renewable energy group. Clients appreciate that she is "hard-working, delivers advice on time with good quality and is also proactive." She has significant experience advising on international hydropower and solar power projects, as well as domestic gas cogeneration plants.
Chambers Europe 2019, Projects & Energy: International - France
Chambers Global 2019, Projects & Energy: International - France - "The ‘extremely professional’ Clifford Chance is ‘above the pack’, ‘provides high quality work’ and is ‘the best in town and gives clients real value for money’. The firm provides ‘superb in-depth analysis and knowledge of project finance’ work and its ‘ability to link legal and commercial aspects is outstanding’. The 38-lawyer team stands out for its leading capabilities on both domestic and international projects but is also involved in large transport and construction projects in Africa and Turkey: notably, the practice is assisting HSBC and sponsors Meridiam and Rönesans with the project bond financing of the Turkish Elazig health campus, and several lenders with the financing of the Turkish Bursa health centre. In France, the practice is involved in most of the country’s few ongoing large greenfield projects, including advising Transdev’s biding consortium on the Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport Express rail project. Other work included high-profile instructions in the energy sector, including involvement in many of France, Europe and Africa’s landmark power, hydropower, gas, renewables and pipeline projects: it is assisting the Maltese Government with a 215MW gas-fired power plant and a LNG facility project. Practice heads Anthony Giustini, Nikolaï Eatwell and Daniel Zerbib are some of the market’s finest advisers. David Préat is a key name for public law matters in France and abroad and also strongly recommended are Delphine Siino Courtin and Benjamin de Blegiers, who is ‘a must when it comes to M&A transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors’. Richard Tomlinson is also involved."
Legal 500 EMEA 2018, Project Finance - France
- "Clifford Chance is ‘the best in town and gives clients real value for money’. The firm provides ‘superb in-depth analysis and knowledge of project finance’ and its ‘ability to link legal and commercial aspects is outstanding’. The Paris hub stands out for its top capabilities on both domestic and international projects and is involved in several of France, Europe and Africa’s landmark power, hydropower, gas, renewables and pipeline projects including major domestic offshore projects and brownfield transactions. Abroad, the practice is assisting the Maltese Government with a 215MW gas-fired power plant and a LNG storage and degasification facility project. The first-class team is led by Anthony Giustini, Nikolaï Eatwell and Daniel Zerbib. David Préat is a key name for public law matters in France and abroad. Also strongly recommended are Delphine Siino Courtin and Benjamin de Blegiers, who is ‘a must when it comes to M&A transactions in the energy and infrastructure sector’. Richard Tomlinson is another name to note."
Legal 500 EMEA 2018, Industry Focus: Energy - France
- "Delphine Siino Courtin regularly advises clients on project financing matters in a range of African jurisdictions, including Senegal and Ghana. Her areas of expertise include energy and infrastructure. According to interviewees, "she is very organised and passionate, and has an incredible memory."
Chambers Europe 2018, International Projects - France
Chambers Global 2018, Projects: International Projects - France - Delphine Siino Courtin is dual-qualified in English and French law. She acts for clients on traditional and renewable energy project financing, often with an international element. Interviewees describe her as "somebody that you can do business with," adding: "She is very flexible."
Chambers Europe 2018, Energy & Natural Resources - France
- "Clifford Chance has ‘excellent’ expertise and is particularly recommended for the most complex projects. The firm often advises export credit agencies and commercial lenders on the financing of Africa’s largest power projects and also assists state entities; acts on projects in France and Europe, covering oil and gas, conventional energy and renewables, as well as transport and other infrastructure in France and Africa. Highlights included advising the Maltese government on the development and financing of a 215MW gas-fired power plant and an LNG storage and degasification facility, as well as assisting the lenders with the financing of the 450MW Azura-Edo IPP project in Nigeria. Anthony Giustini, Daniel Zerbib and public law expert David Préat are market-leading figures, as is the ‘very responsive and highly knowledgeable’ Nikolaï Eatwell. Delphine Siino Courtin, ‘dealmaker’ Benjamin de Blegiers and Richard Tomlinson are also recommended."
Legal 500 EMEA 2017, Project Finance - France - "Clifford Chance has ‘excellent’ expertise and is particularly recommended for high-profile projects. The firm often advises export credit agencies and commercial lenders on the financing of large African power projects – such as the financing of the 450MW Azura-Edo IPP project in Nigeria – and also routinely assists state entities. It is handling energy projects in France and Europe, and is particularly active in the oil and gas and renewable energy sectors. Highlights included advising the Maltese government on the development and financing of a 215MW gas-fired power plant and an LNG storage and degasification facility. Anthony Giustini, the ‘very responsive and highly knowledgeable’ Nikolaï Eatwell, Daniel Zerbib and public law expert David Préat are leading market figures. Delphine Siino Courtin, ‘dealmaker’ Benjamin de Blegiers and Richard Tomlinson are also recommended."
Legal 500 EMEA 2017, Energy - France - Delphine Siino Courtin advises mainly on France and Africa-related projects. She is an expert in the power and renewable energy sectors.
Chambers Europe 2017, Energy & Natural Resources - France - Delphine Siino Courtin is recognised for her work in Africa where she handles international projects mainly related to power, and in particular renewable energy.
Chambers Global 2017, Projects: International Projects - France - Delphine Siino Courtin focuses her practice on power projects and renewable energy. She works principally on projects in France and across Africa.
Chambers Europe 2016, Energy & Natural Resources - France
- "Clifford Chance’s impressive energy projects practice often advises lenders and is involved in numerous large hydropower, conventional and renewable energy project financings in Africa, as well as high-profile renewable energy projects in France. The practice is assisting the lenders with the financing of the 450MW Azura gas turbine power project in Nigeria and has been advising Eolien Maritime France on three major offshore wind farm projects. The firm also handles oil and gas and mining work, as well as some energy M&A. Key figures in the practice include co-head of the firm’s Africa practice Anthony Giustini, co-head of the North Africa practice Delphine Siino Courtin, Nikolaï Eatwell and David Préat, who is a reference in public law. Laurent Schoenstein is also involved in some M&A-related work; Richard Tomlinson was promoted to partner".
Legal 500 EMEA 2016, Energy - France - "Clifford Chance has the ‘best lawyers in town’ for French project finance work and is involved in major domestic road and infrastructure projects, as well as mandates internationally. It is assisting the International Finance Corporation (IFC) with the financing of the Adana health campus. The firm also has an impressive energy project practice, where it often advises lenders. It is involved in many conventional power, hydro and renewable energy project financings in Africa, such as assisting the lenders with the 120MW Kribi power plant expansion financing in Cameroon. Key figures in the team for international projects include Anthony Giustini, who jointly heads the firm’s Africa practice, Delphine Siino Courtin, who jointly heads the firm’s North Africa practice, as well as Nikolaï Eatwell and recently promoted partner Richard Tomlinson. For domestic project finance work, David Préat stands out for public law aspects, while Daniel Zerbib and recently promoted partner Benjamin de Blegiers are ‘outstanding individuals either on the banks or sponsor side’."
Legal 500 EMEA 2016, Project Finance - France - Delphine Siino Courtin became a partner of the firm in 2014. She is highly active on power projects in Africa, including renewable energy.
Chambers Global 2016, Projects: International Projects - France
- Paris-based Delphine Siino Courtin was promoted to the partnership in May 2014 and is noted for her strong project finance work in Africa. She acted for the African Development Bank, IFC and Proparco on the financing of the CIPREL power plant conversion.
Chambers Global 2015, Africa-wide, Projects & Energy
- The "clever, reactive and on-the-ball" Delphine Siino Courtin has noteworthy expertise in advising on the financing of conventional and renewable energy projects in North and West Africa.
Chambers Global 2015, Projects: international Projects - France
- "Delphine Siino Courtin "works very determinedly and effectively on deals." She plays a part in some of the firm's key financing mandates and is praised for her availability and responsiveness."
Chambers Global 2014, Africa-wide, Projects & Energy
- "Delphine Siino Courtin has significant experience of project financing matters in both Europe and Africa. Key sectors of expertise include oil and gas, energy, mining and infrastructure, and she has worked on matters in Morocco, Tunisia and West Africa."
Chambers Europe 2014, Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability