Peter N. Mantas

Peter Mantas leads Fasken’s London and Ottawa litigation teams, the firm’s Public Procurement group, and co-leads its White Collar Defence and Investigations group.

Peter has over 30 years' experience litigating difficult, high stakes cases before national and international courts, tribunals and arbitration panels. Clients appreciate Peter’s knowledge, strategic advice, teamwork and tough but reasonable approach. He is also valued for his skills in negotiations, crisis management and public relations.

Peter is sought after for his experience in disputes involving government, mining, trade, procurement and technology, in civil and criminal matters, and in cases involving political and geopolitical issues. From advancing complicated cases before tribunals and courts, to finding a novel path towards settlement, Peter has a strong track record in obtaining results for clients.

Peter has been repeatedly recognized by Chambers, Legal 500, Benchmark Litigation, Who’s Who Legal, Lexpert and Best Lawyers in Canada. He has been nominated in Canadian Lawyer magazine as one of the 25 most influential lawyers in Canada. Peter teaches a class in Mining and Human Rights at Osgoode Hall Law School, is a member of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Advisory Committee and is a frequent speaker at international conferences on arbitration, mining, public procurement, international trade and white-collar criminal law. 

Peter has acted as counsel in the following notable matters:

• Largest litigation settlement in Canadian history ($23 billion), and one of the largest in world history, on behalf of the Assembly of First Nations and others involving the federal government’s role in the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families and the systemic discrimination against these children.
• Successful challenge of major procurement decision by Ontario government for breaching Canada’s free trade agreement with Europe (CETA). Case named one of the top ten business decisions of 2022 in Canada by Lexpert magazine.
• Leader of Fasken team appointed to the international trade dispute panel for the United Kingdom government.
• Counsel to the Courts Administration Service for the Federal Court, Tax Court and Court Martial Appeals Court of Canada, to maintain unimpeded access to the courts during a national labour strike by federal public servants.
• Arbitration before the International Commercial Court (ICC), under English law and with the seat of arbitration in London, in relation to a contractual and procurement dispute at one of the largest cobalt and copper mines in the world, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a subsequent proceeding before the English High Court of Justice, the court cited with approval the evidence of the opposing party that Fasken's client "was assisted in the proceedings by a highly-qualified legal team from a reputed international law firm, including a senior partner with considerable experience as counsel in international arbitration (that is Mr Mantas).
• Arbitration before the International Commercial Court (ICC), under French law and with the seat of arbitration in Paris, in relation to a shareholder dispute at one of the largest lithium mining projects in the world, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Acting as counsel for one of the largest mining companies in the world.
• Arbitration before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes  (ICSID) based in Washington DC, in relation to an investor state treaty dispute at one of the largest lithium mining projects in the world, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Acting as counsel for the government of the DRC.
• Arbitration dispute involving cryptocurrency service providers based in the USA and Canada. Matter being adjudicated before ADR Chambers in Ottawa.
• Cross border multi-jurisdictional dispute before the courts of Ontario and New York, on behalf of Export Development Canada (EDC), with regards to a commercial and financing matter involving Amtrak and the Phillip Morris Corporation.
• Defence of decision by the Conservative Party of Canada to disqualify a candidate from the party leadership race for posting racist comments on social media.
• Counsel to Thales in relation to a public inquiry into Ottawa’s light rail system.
• Arbitration before Canadian panel involving multijurisdictional (Canada-USA) cryptocurrency dispute.
• Arbitration on behalf of Rogers Communications involving traffic pumping and findings by the CRTC.
• Action against the federal government on behalf of US company to challenge an award of the largest procurement in Canadian history (over $60 billion) in relation to the replacement of Canada’s naval frigates and destroyers.
• Counsel to Cabinet Minister and President of the Treasury Board Scott Brison in relation to the leak of Cabinet secrets in the R. v. Admiral Mark Norman case.
• Action on behalf of Rogers, Bell and Quebecor with respect to the collection of ringtone royalties by SOCAN.
• Action for Ethnic Channels Group (ECG) in an international broadcasting rights and contract dispute between ECG USA and Moscow based CTC Media.
• Defence counsel to TPG Consulting in an 8-month criminal jury trial for alleged bid rigging and fraud in relation to IT services to the federal government. TPG, its executives and consultants were all acquitted.
• Action by Odyssey TV regarding Internet and broadcasting piracy by Ellas TV. Case resulted in one of the largest monetary awards for breach of copyright in Canadian history.
• Counsel to Rockstar Consortium (Apple, Blackberry, Ericsson, Microsoft and Sony) regarding depositions conducted in relation to the global Nortel pension bankruptcy litigation.
• Counsel to the New Democratic Party of Canada in relation to delayed filings by multiple candidates for federal election.
• Counsel to former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, Nigel Wright, in the case of R. v. Senator Duffy.
• Counsel to the Prime Minister of Canada and others with respect to the removal of former Cabinet Minister Helena Guergis from her position in Cabinet and caucus.

*Registered Foreign Lawyer.