Call: 2024 (England & Wales); 2014 (Australia)

Isuru is an international arbitration and public international specialist with extensive experience acting as counsel in both commercial and investor-State arbitrations.

Prior to joining 36 Stone, Isuru practiced for 10 years at leading international law firms Latham & Watkins and Clifford Chance in London, Singapore and Australia. His work at those firms included acting as counsel for both investors and States in several high-profile investor-State arbitrations, acting as counsel in complex international commercial arbitrations under all major arbitral rules, and advising parties in relation to the enforcement of arbitral awards.  He has also advised several States, international organisations, NGOs and private parties on various public international law matters, including privileges and immunities, countermeasures, self-determination, statehood, international human rights law and international criminal law.

Isuru was formerly a judge’s associate (judicial assistant) to a judge of the Court of Appeal division of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

He is the Secretary of the Asia-Pacific Forum for International Arbitration and a member of the Steering Committee of the Young MCIA (Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration).

Isuru has been recognised as a Future Leader in International Arbitration by Lexology (previously Who’s Who Legal) and ranked by The Legal 500 for public international law and international arbitration and by Chambers & Partners for public international law.

Key cases & testimonials

  • Ukraine in an ongoing ICSID arbitration commenced by Gilward Investments BV, an alleged investor in the aviation sector
  • Ipek Investment Limited in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Turkiye
  • Cortec Mining Kenya Ltd and its affiliates in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Kenya
  • Successfully defending a private equity fund in a SIAC arbitration in connection with a transaction for regionally significant telecommunications assets in South-East Asia
  • A UK company in an ad hoc arbitration against an Indian company concerning a dispute under a joint venture agreement in the automotive manufacturing sector
Isuru stands out as an exceptional lawyer, distinguished by his ability to swiftly navigate the complexities of the dispute.Chambers & Partners 2025, Public International Law

Areas of expertise

Isuru acts for clients in investor-State and international commercial arbitrations. His international arbitration experience includes representing clients in a range of industry sectors, including mining, energy, industrial, manufacturing, technology, telecommunications, and media. This experience includes representing States, State-owned entities, and companies in disputes arising under investment treaties, free-trade agreements, national investment laws, and joint-venture agreements, and proceedings conducted under major arbitral rules including, ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, LCIA, and SIAC arbitration rules.

Further information

  • State Responsibility for Corruption in International Investment Arbitration (2019) 10(2) Journal of International Dispute Settlement 248
  • (co-author) “Compensation and Damages in Investment Treaty Arbitrations” in G Pachnanda SA and K Mahajan (eds), Damages, Expert Evidence and Valuation in Commercial Disputes in India, 2023
  • (co-author) Freezing Orders in Australia – Inherent Powers and The International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth) (2016) 12(2) Asian International Arbitration Journal 195
  • (co-author) Inherent Jurisdiction and Implied Power to Stay Proceedings in Aid of Arbitration: “A Nice Question” (2015) 32(5) Journal of International Arbitration 493
  • (co-author) Consent in ICSID Arbitration – Case of Planet Mining Pty Ltd v Republic of Indonesia (2014) 10(2) Asian International Arbitration Journal 195
  • (co-author) R1 International Pte Ltd v Lonstroff AG (2014) 17(4) International Arbitration Review 96
  • (co-author) The Court can’t even handle me: Flo Rida and the lessons for substituted service via social media (2014) 87 Computers & Law Journal 6
  • Statutory Directors’ Duties, the Civil Penalty Regime and Shareholder Ratification: What Role does the Public Interest Play? (2014) 32(6) Company and Securities Law Journal 399

Law School Valedictorian, University of Queensland

  • Bachelor of Laws (Honours), University of Queensland
  • Bachelor of Commerce, University of Queensland
  • Master of Law (international law), University of Cambridge
  • Secretary, Asia-Pacific Forum for International Arbitration
  • Steering Committee member, Young Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration

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