Arbitral Insights

Women in Arbitration: Breaking the bias

This International Women’s Day, our international arbitration practitioners Jemma Collins (Singapore), Catherine Lewis (London), Vanessa Thieffry (Paris), Jane Miles (Dubai), Clara Fung (Hong Kong) and Sujey Herrera (Miami) discuss what the theme of “breaking the bias” means to them in our dedicated IWD “Women in Arbitration” podcast episode, with our host Lucy Winnington-Ingram (London).

The episode first explores what the biggest challenges, perceived and real, are in breaking the bias and what international arbitration practitioners can do to help break the bias, before our lawyers share who they believe has helped create a move diverse, equal, and inclusive environment, not just for them, but for women in arbitration and beyond. 

Spotlight on… English and Canadian barrister Donny Surtani

Welcomed by host Gautam Bhattacharyya, Donny Surtani walks us through his background from accountancy to becoming a lawyer – sharing his career inspirations and experiences with mentors, explaining his move to the English Bar and then to Canada, and, importantly, offering his views on increasing diversity, equality, and inclusion in the law and international arbitration.

The story behind Tel Aviv International Arbitration Week

Ahead of Tel Aviv International Arbitration Week’s third edition, Shai Sharvit, partner at Gornitzky & Co. and a founding member of Tel Aviv International Arbitration Week, joins global chair of our International Arbitration practice Peter Rosher to discuss the drivers for launching the event, how it has evolved, what makes it different from other arbitration weeks around the world, and what plans there are for future events.

Women in Arbitration: Arbitration and diversity in the Gulf Region

Dubai-based associates Jane Miles and Alison Eslick welcome HKA senior consultant, arbitrator and chair of CIArb’s UAE branch Iryna Akulenka, along with registrar and chief executive of ADGM Courts Linda Fitz-Alan, for a discussion on diversity in arbitration in the Gulf Region and where the legal community stands in terms of not just promoting diversity, but also realizing it.

Spotlight on … Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, Suhan Khan

Bangladesh and English law-qualified lawyer Suhan Khan explains what inspired him to become a lawyer. He shares with our host, Gautam Bhattacharyya, his perspectives on the global legal world, discusses what adjustments could be made to ensure that the arbitration process is a better one for its users, and explores how international arbitration has evolved generally in Bangladesh.

Women in Arbitration: Trends in the enforcement of arbitral awards in the Gulf Region

Michelle Nelson and Alison Eslick highlight the growing recognition of arbitral award enforcement by local courts across the Gulf Region, focusing on United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Spotlight on … Independent arbitrator and mediator Barry Leon

Former presiding judge of the BVI Commercial Court, founding member of the Judicial Insolvency Network and former Canadian law firm partner, the Honorable Barry Leon discusses his career path and his inspirational mentors, and explains how his time on the bench has shaped his role as an arbitrator in our latest “Spotlight on…” episode with our host Gautam Bhattacharyya.

Forecast arbitration costs across the globe: The Reed Smith Arbitration Pricing Calculator

Global Chair of Reed Smith’s international arbitration practice Peter Rosher hosts Singapore partner Timothy Cooke to discuss the just launched Arbitration Pricing Calculator app, a first-of-its-kind mobile app, designed and coded by Timothy to help arbitration users forecast the costs of arbitration around the world. 

Spotlight on … Senior counsel Darius Khambata

Former Advocate General for Maharashtra and Additional Solicitor General of India, senior advocate Darius Khambata discusses his career path, his inspirational mentors, his thoughts on the state of arbitration, and offers advice for the up-and-coming generation of practitioners and arbitrators in this next installment of our “Spotlight on…” miniseries with our host, Gautam Bhattacharyya.

Spotlight on ... counsel and arbitrator David Brynmor Thomas QC

David Brynmor Thomas QC shares his greatest career inspirations and the path that led him to first become a medical doctor, then a solicitor, and then a barrister, with our host Gautam Bhattacharyya. The duo also discuss the differences and similarities when acting as counsel and as arbitrator, and explore the adjustments that can be made to make the arbitration process a better and more efficient one for its users.