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Chiann is a Chartered Arbitrator and CEDR-accredited mediator with 25 years of experience. Qualified in New York, Hong Kong and England and Wales but having extensive experience handling civil law governed complex arbitrations, Chiann has served as arbitrator, mediator or legal expert in almost 150 arbitrations with a total value of over 50 billion US dollars in dispute.
Prior to becoming an independent arbitrator, Chiann worked in private practice (in New York and Hong Kong) where she focused on complex international arbitration and litigation, acting as counsel for corporates and states in a range of disputes in various sectors.
Chiann holds leadership positions worldwide and currently serves as member of the ICCA Governing Board and is a Co-Chair of the ITA Arbitrator Task Force. She is also a member of the Court of Arbitration for the Lusaka International Arbitration Centre. She is a past Co-Chair of the IBA’s International Arbitration Committee (2024-2025) and a past Vice President of the ICC Court of Arbitration (2018-2024). From 2010 to 2018, Chiann served as the Secretary General and then as a Council Member of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre during which it was ranked the most improved institution worldwide. She also holds positions on the Board of Directors of Maxwell Chambers and the Global Advisory Board of the New York International Arbitration Centre.
A regular speaker and lecturer, Chiann was awarded the Global Arbitration Review “best lecture” for her Proskauer Rose Lecture in 2022. She is a member of the permanent faculty at the Sciences Po Law School and until 2025, was an adjunct associate professor at NUS Faculty of Law. She also currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees and is an Honorary Senior Fellow of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law. Chiann authors and edits articles and books and serves as a member of editorial boards of publications published by Oxford University Press and Kluwer.
Regularly ranked by Who’s Who Legal and Chambers, Chiann is recognised as one of the most highly ranked Who’s Who Legal Global Elite Leaders as well as one of the most in-demand arbitrators globally by Chambers & Partners. She is described as a “force of nature”, “extemely on the ball and very decisive in hearings”, and a “brilliant lawyer and arbitrator with vast experience working on complex commercial and investment disputes across Asia.” Peers further describe her as “meticulous, smart, well-prepared and efficient” as well as “very knowledgeable, diligent and a real diplomat.” Chambers Asia Pacific recognises her as one of the most in demand arbitrators with a “deliberative skill, intellectual engagement, thoroughness and formidable presence,” and adds: “[s]he over-performs in everything she does, and it’s rare for a major arbitration matter in Asia to be discussed without her name being mentioned.”
Chiann has handled almost 150 arbitrations as presiding, co-, sole and emergency arbitrator under most of the arbitration institutions worldwide and is member of many arbitrator panels.
She has served as arbitrator in a wide range of industries, including general corporate, joint venture and shareholder disputes, private equity, intellectual property and licensing, life sciences and pharmaceutical, crypto (exchange, mining, products), media and telecommunications, technology, construction and infrastructure projects, energy and resources, agency and distributorship agreements, sale of goods, commercial sports and general commercial disputes.
New York, Hong Kong, England and Wales
English, Chinese (Mandarin)
United States
+65 83547488
Bao Arbitration Services Pte Ltd.,1 Wallich Street, #14-01 Guoco Tower, Singapore, 078881
"force of nature"
“...very thorough understanding of how an arbitration should be run” and "quickness to ask the right questions,” “a very measured person who is very sensitive to what counsel are expecting.”
"meticulous, smart, well-prepared and efficient arbitrator" and "very knowledgeable, diligent and a real diplomat"
"Chiann stands out for her work ethic, and her deep knowledge of institutional arbitration."
“..a seasoned arbitrator with a phenomenal temperament for handling complex disputes...She is one of the most popular arbitrators of her generation, and for good reason.”
"...handles tricky situations as arbitrator
with finesse and sound judgment."
“Chiann is very smart and hardworking....She is always at the forefront of cutting-edge arbitration topics.”
"She is extremely smart in her approaches to procedural and substantive issues."
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