Arbitral Insights

South Asian Heritage Month: Spotlight on … Ricky Diwan QC

Gautam Bhattacharyya hosts leading silk Ricky Diwan QC, who effortlessly “glues the attention of the court” in this SAHM Spotlight on… episode. The pair discuss Ricky’s love of languages and French literature, his path to becoming a lawyer in New York and then London, his career inspirations and their impact on his mentoring style, his reflections on being an arbitrator rather than counsel – and his love of the film, 3 Idiots. 

South Asian Heritage Month: Spotlight on … Tony Singla QC

In our inaugural SAHM Spotlight on… episode, Gautam Bhattacharyya welcomes a “real star of his generation,” Tony Singla QC, to discuss why Tony pursued a career in the law. Tony shares his career inspirations, how his experience as a mentee impacts him in being a mentor, his thoughts on improving the arbitral process, and ways to further diversity, equality and inclusion in the law and in arbitration – before talking all things Top Gun and skiing in the Alps. 

Fast track proceedings and the Dutch approach

Rogier Schellaars, partner at Van Doorne and contributor to the Netherlands Arbitration Institute, the Dutch Arbitration Association and the Law Firm School, joins Reed Smith host and Paris-based international arbitration partner Andrew Tetley to discuss the emergency arbitral process, fast track proceedings and the Dutch approach to both. 

Spotlight on … Rachel Ansell QC

International Arbitration Silk of the Year (Chambers UK Bar Awards 2019) Rachel Ansell QC joins Gautam Bhattacharyya to discuss the career path that led her to the law and international arbitration. The duo cover Rachel’s mentors and their impact on her approach to mentoring, ways in which arbitration can be improved, the criticality of improved diversity, equality, and inclusion in the law – and Rachel’s love of cricket and rugby. 

International arbitration, diversity and ICC: A discussion with Alex Fessas

Secretary general of the ICC Court, Alex Fessas joins global chair of Reed Smith’s international arbitration practice, Peter Rosher to talk about diversity in the world of arbitration and at ICC. The pair discuss why ICC is interested in diversity in its broadest sense, the genesis and aims of the World Business Pride initiative, the ICC Court LGBTQ initiative, and 2022 Pride celebrations. 

International arbitration and Ukraine: How conflict has affected arbitral practice

Olena Perepelynska, head of international arbitration at INTEGRITES, president of the Ukrainian Arbitration Association and chair of the ICC Ukraine Arbitration Commission, joins Paris-based partner Andrew Tetley to discuss international arbitration in Ukraine. The duo explore current ways of working in Ukraine, what arbitration in Ukraine is like more generally, how the conflict has affected arbitral practice, and the activities of the Ukrainian Arbitration Association.

Spotlight on … Leading commercial QC, Chirag Karia

Gautam Bhattacharyya welcomes leading commercial silk Chirag Karia QC to discuss the path that led him to the law – first practising for 10 years in California, then coming to the English Bar – and his career in international arbitration. Chirag reflects on his career mentors, explores how the role of arbitrator differs from that of counsel, and shares ways in which we can all improve diversity, equality and inclusion in the law.

DIAC 2.0: Arbitration rules for 2022

Sachin Kerur, Managing Partner of Reed Smith’s Middle East offices, is joined by associates Jane Miles and Soham Panchamiya to discuss the Dubai International Arbitration Centre’s (DIAC’s) new arbitration rules, effective March 21, 2022. The trio discuss the rule amendments and additions, any gaps or omissions, and anticipated benefits and challenges, before closing with their views on the future of arbitration in the United Arab Emirates.

Spotlight on … Head of Quadrant Chambers Poonam Melwani QC

Gautam Bhattacharyya welcomes leading senior counsel and Head of Quadrant Chambers, Poonam Melwani QC, for a discussion exploring what brought her to a career in the law, who were (and continue to be) her mentors and career inspirations, her perspectives on arbitration, and how she champions and pushes for diversity, equality and inclusion in the legal world and beyond.

Spotlight on … Former UK Supreme Court Justice Lord Wilson

Eminent legal figure and former UK Supreme Court Justice Lord Wilson joins host Gautam Bhattacharyya to discuss why he chose law as a career (as opposed to acting), his career mentors and inspirations, reflections on his time in practice and as a judge, and some of his standout cases, including while in the Supreme Court.