Philippe Prost
Partner, Geneva
T +41 58 552 05 60
philippe.prost@mll-legal.com
Profile
Philippe Prost gives legal advice to companies and private clients regarding real estate acquisitions or sales, constitution or sale and purchase of rights of acreage (land lease), construction projects, architect and engineer contracts, financing of real estate projects and mortgage negotiations; related tax issues, lease contracts, drafting and reviewing of contracts, including due diligence process.
He directs and manages a privately-owned real estate company, active in the market since 1998. In this quality, he handles the following tasks : rental of several commercial buildings in downtown Geneva, major renovation and construction projects related to these properties; negotiation, review, amendment and termination of numerous commercial lease contracts, including prime location retail stores; various other real estate investments or development projects in consortium with some major actors of the local market; risk management and surveillance of the real estate agency in charge of the day-to-day business.
Philippe Prost also directs, since 2009, a public-owned real estate company, incorporated in 1898 and owner of 20 apartment buildings in Geneva with the following duties : oversight of development and construction projects, review of several contracts; driving and supervising private auction process for the sale of commercial and residential buildings; review and supervision of the company’s finance and mortgage structure; risk management and surveillance of the real estate agency in charge of the day-to-day business.
As a litigator, Philippe Prost represents clients before the competent courts of Geneva, Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel, Jura and Fribourg in all types of legal disputes, mainly in rental law, construction law, zoning and administrative matters, as well as in arbitration proceedings.
Practice Areas
Industry Groups
Rankings & Awards
- “Effective face to face discussions in order to analyse legal situations and opportunities and share possible options. Philippe Prost has been extremely effective in managing our interests” – Legal 500 EMEA, Real Estate and Construction, 2022
- “Philippe Prost handles real estate portfolio sales, property acquisitions and retail development projects. He acts for international investors, developers and asset managers” – Chambers and Partners Europe, Real Estate, 2022
- Philippe Prost is “a leading figure in real estate” according to peers, who add that, “he is extremely knowledgeable and active in the field” – Who’s Who Legal, Global Leader Real Estate, 2022
- Philippe Prost is an “excellent litigator in construction and rental disputes”, with peers further commenting, “He is unflappable and very familiar with the French-speaking courts in Switzerland” – Who’s Who Legal, National Leader Construction & Real Estate, 2022
- “The established Philippe Prost draws plaudits from peers for his significant expertise on Swiss construction and real estate projects” – Who’s Who Legal, Global Leader Construction & Real Estate, 2021
- “Philippe Prost ranks highly among peers who consider him “extremely knowledgeable” when it comes to real estate sales and acquisitions” – Who’s Who Legal, Real Estate, 2021
- Clients highlight Philippe Prost for his “responsiveness to our needs and his pragmatic and no-nonsense approach to understanding and solving our legal challenges.” He assists with real estate development projects and advises on the acquisition of real estate assets – Chambers and Partners Europe, Real Estate, 2020
- The real estate team is “noted for its experience in contentious matters relating to construction law and zoning” and Philippe Prost is an “experienced in litigation” – Legal 500 EMEA, Real Estate and Construction, 2020
Deals & Cases
- Advised a major Swiss bank and one of its managed vehicles in the acquisition of a new commercial building housing a food production plant (sale & lease-back transaction)
- Advised Generali in the acquisition of a real estate portfolio comprising two residential and two mixed-use buildings located in Geneva
- Advised a major Swiss bank and several of its managed vehicles in the acquisition of a group of residential buildings under construction in the Geneva’s Lake area
- Advised a prominent Swiss real estate fund in the acquisition of a group of newly built residential buildings part of a large construction project comprising condominium apartments and a hotel complex
- Advised one of the major Swiss real estate fund in the acquisition of a large commercial building in Geneva from a company abroad and in the continuation of the lease agreement in force with the sole tenant, during Covid-19 crisis
- Representation and advice to 26 Geneva-based medico-welfare institutions in a dispute against a dozen insurance companies regarding the payment of services provided between 2011 and 2019, leading to reimbursements amounting to over CHF 8 million
- Advised several institutional and private investors in real estate transaction and construction projects in Geneva, Vaud and Valais, with values going form CHF 50 to CHF 400 million
Education & Admission
- Certified specialist SBA in Construction and Real Estate (2015)
- Certificate of Advanced Studies from University of Fribourg (2014)
- Admitted to the bar in Switzerland (1986)
- University of Geneva, lic. iur. (1983)
Memberships and public offices
- International Bar Association (IBA)
- Swiss Bar Association (SAV)
- Geneva Bar Association (OdaGe)
- Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA)
- Association Genevoise de Droit des Affaires (AGDA)
- Chambre Genevoise Immobilière (CGI)
Languages
- French
- English
- German
Publications
- The Legal 500 Country Comparative Guides 2024 – Switzerland: Construction | 15.05.2024
- Construction & Engineering Law 2022 – Switzerland | 16.08.2022
- “Il vaut souvent la peine de consulter un avocat spécialisé en droit de l’immobilier!” | 25.05.2022
- Construction & Engineering Law 2021 – Switzerland | 16.08.2021
Find all publications by Philippe Prost on our website mll-legal.com.
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Firm News
Philippe Prost is an “excellent litigator in construction and rental disputes”, with peers further commenting, “He is unflappable and very familiar with the French-speaking courts in Switzerland”