Peter Fauerholdt Thommesen advises public and private sector clients and technical consultants on all aspects of construction including infrastructure and public procurement. He assists in drafting and negotiating contracts and in designing and handling tenders for public works and other public contracts. 

Dispute resolution (arbitration, litigation and mediation) is a particular area of expertise for Peter. He handles not only construction and infrastructure disputes and professional negligence disputes within technical consultancy, but also commercial, contractual and public law disputes. He is a certified arbitrator and mediator and sat as a Temporary Judge at the High Court of Eastern Denmark. Since 2017, he has been member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR.

Peter also advises on real estate transactions and projects, including public-private urban development projects and other PPPs. He has extensive general commercial, contracts and corporate law experience.

He speaks the Scandinavian languages, English and French.

Peter has recently been involved in the following cases:

• Advisor on all construction and procurement law related matters related to Cityringen (Copenhagen Metro) including the Northern Extension (opened in 2020) and the Southern Extension (opening in 2024)

• Advisor on all construction and procurement law related matters related to the lightrails in Odense (Odense Letbane, opened in 2022) and in the Greater Copenhagen Area (Ring 3, due to open in 2025)

• Represented the copyright holders before the Danish Supreme Court in a dispute against the Danish State about wrongful implementation of EU’ Infosoc Directive into Danish law

• Represents the employer Metroselskabet I/S in a major construction arbitration regarding delay and disruption claims raised by a consortium of international contractors related to the Cityringen project

• Assisting in the establishment of pubic-private urban development projects like NærHeden, Høje-Taastrup C and Kildedal

• Development of procurement models and contracts for early contractor involvement on building and construction projects

As arbitrator Peter Fauerholdt Thommesen has been appointed in 30+ ad hoc and institutional arbitrations (DIA, SCC and ICC) regarding shareholder disputes, partnership disputes, M&A disputes, real estate and insurance disputes as well as contractual disputes in a number of areas such as building and construction, IT and energy. He has experience both as chairman, co-arbitrator, sole arbitrator, interim arbitration and as arbitrator in expedited arbitration procedures.

Peter Fauerholdt Thommesen is recommended in Chambers Europe within the category Real Estate: Construction. In Legal 500, Peter is highlighted as a "Leading Individual" in within the category Real estate and construction and is recommended within Dispute resolution.

Selected quotes:

“Peter Fauerholdt Thommesen is well placed to handle complex construction projects and disputes in the healthcare and transportation sectors. He acts for engineers and architects as well as employers.” (Chambers Europe, 2024)

"Peter Fauerholdt Thommesen delivers a high-quality service.” (Chambers Europe, 2023)

“Peter Thommesen stands out a one of the best advisers on all aspects related to construction. He provides excellent service to clients.” (Legal 500, 2024)

“Peter Thommesen is a top performing attorney with deep experience within his field and a sense of the
important issues – a good mix of pragmatism, legal ability, commercial considerations and the ability to find solutions.” (Legal 500, 2024)

“Peter Thommesen is a high quality, stand-out partner.” (Legal 500, 2023)

Peter is mentioned as a ‘Future Leader’ in Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration (2019-2023).

Admitted to the Supreme Court, 2022
Certified mediator, The Association of Danish Law Firms, 2020
Partner, VILTOFT, 2014-
Temporary Judge, the High Court of Eastern Denmark, 2013
Certified arbitrator, the Association of Danish Law Firms, 2013
Admitted to High Court, 2012
Attorney, VILTOFT, 2010-2013
Foreign intern, Essex Court Chambers (Toby Landau QC), London, 2008
Stagiaire, ICC International Court of Arbitration, Paris, 2008
LL.M., University of Cambridge, England, 2008
Admitted to the Danish Bar, 2007
Assistant attorney and attorney, Bruun & Hjejle, 2004-2010
Master of Laws (LL.M.), University of Copenhagen, 2004
Studies at New York University School of Law, USA, 2002

External lecturer in International Commercial Law (private international law and commercial arbitration), Copenhagen Business School, 2012-2017

External lecturer at the University of Copenhagen in European & International Commercial Law (2008-2013) and in the Willem C Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition (2010-2012), 2008-2013

Tutor in the Law of Obligations at the University of Copenhagen, 2004-2007

Peter also regularly teaches courses in commercial arbitration, construction, procurement and contracts for private course providers.

Co-author (with Michael Gjedde-Nielsen et al.) of ABR 18: General Conditions for Consulting Services, Karnov Group, 1st edition, 2021

Co-author (with Jakob Juul) of Danish Arbitration ("Voldgiftsret"), Karnov Group, 3rd edition 2017.

Co-author (with Michael Gjedde-Nielsen) of article about construction arbitration in Denmark, Tidsskrift for Bolig- og Byggeret (T:BB) 2016, p. 883.

In addition, he is author of articles on various topics in the field of commercial arbitration (Advokaten 2011, No 10, p. 20) and corporate law (Justitia 2005, No 2; with Simon Krogh).

Member, ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR (since 2017)

Board member and co-founder of Young Arbitrators Copenhagen (YAC) ((2013-2020, chairman 2017-2019).

Member of the working group of the Danish Institute of Arbitration concerning dispute boards in construction and other long-running contracts (2013).

Member of the working group of the Association of Danish Law Firms about forms of remuneration (2013-2014).

Volunteer advisor, Copenhagen Legal Aid (2002-2012).

Member of the Danish Society for Construction and Consulting Law, the Danish Association for Procurement Law, the Danish Arbitration Association, Young Arbitrators Stockholm (SCC) and the Young International Arbitration Group (LCIA).