Ravi Aswani is a commercial dispute resolution barrister. He has a broad practice which covers a number of areas including in particular shipping and international trade, commodities, energy and oil and gas, metals and mining, insurance and re-insurance, banking and finance. Ravi has an extensive international arbitration practice. He has been instructed in arbitrations seated in several jurisdictions under a number of applicable laws, both ad hoc (in particular LMAA and UNCITRAL Rules) as well as institutional arbitration (in particular ICC, LCIA and SIAC). In addition, he is often instructed in commercial litigation in the Business and Property Courts, primarily the Commercial Court.

A considerable proportion of Ravi’s work involves him being instructed without a leader against KCs, SCs and SAs in various jurisdictions across the world; he has significant experience of acting without a leader against senior silks. He has been recommended in all the principal legal directories for many years for international arbitration, commodities and shipping (UK, Global and Asia Pacific directories).

Ravi also has a growing arbitrator practice and has been nominated / appointed as arbitrator in over 20 arbitrations to date.

In recent years, Ravi has been shortlisted for / awarded a number of prestigious awards in recognition both of the excellence of his legal practice and of his longstanding commitments to equality and diversity and mentoring:

      • Shortlisted: 2024 Chambers & Partners UK Bar Awards – Shipping Junior of the Year
      • Shortlisted: 2024 Legal 500 UK Bar Awards – Shipping Junior of the Year
      • Shortlisted: 2023 Legal 500 UK Bar Awards – International Arbitration Junior of the Year
      • Shortlisted: 2022 Legal 500 UK Bar Awards – International Arbitration Junior of the Year
      • Winner: 2021 Society of Asian Lawyers Awards – Company / Commercial Lawyer of the Year
      • Shortlisted: 2021 Chambers & Partners UK Bar Awards – Shipping Junior of the Year
      • Shortlisted: 2020 UCL Alumni Awards – Alumni Volunteer of the Year

Ravi participates in a number of schemes aimed at mentoring and promoting a career in law, especially the self-employed bar, to various historically underrepresented groups.

Testimonials

“Ravi would be my first port of call for international arbitration disputes. He knows his subject extremely well, and his attention to detail is excellent.”| “Ravi Aswani is very commercial, pragmatic and able to give concise advice”. Chambers UK / Global Bar 2025 – International Arbitration
“Ravi provides insightful advice. He has a firm grip of the detail and he easily identifies the focal point of disputes. He is extremely user-friendly and a pleasure to work with.” | “Ravi is a very experienced senior junior. He is very thorough and he drafts incredibly well.” | “Ravi is very commercial, pragmatic and effective. He is a champion and has created a strong name for himself.” Chambers UK / Global Bar 2025 – Shipping and Commodities
“Once Ravi has been instructed it lifts a burden from your shoulders, as he is calm and so well prepared he takes the judge or tribunal with him.” Legal 500 UK Bar 2025 – Commodities
“Ravi's strengths lie in his exceptional legal mind, strategic thinking, and persuasive advocacy in the arbitration arena.”Legal 500 UK Bar 2025 – International Arbitration
“Clear, concise and prompt advice. Always ready to engage and listen to instructing solicitors' views on a case.” Legal 500 UK Bar 2025 – Shipping
“He is very user-friendly and communicative.” Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025 – Shipping and Commodities
“Ravi is one of the top arbitration barristers.” | “He is a sharp guy who is on the ball, with a strong presence in Singapore.” | “Ravi is carving out a strong practice in arbitration, consistently demonstrating expertise and dedication in his field.” | “A seasoned practitioner with a quick mind.” Lexology Index – Arbitration

Areas of expertise

A considerable proportion of Ravi’s work is in the field of International Commercial Arbitration, in connection with disputes arising out of a very wide range of industries and sectors.  He is currently instructed in many such arbitrations which are due to be heard in 2025 and 2026.  Ravi is often instructed as co-counsel with a view to making up a multi-disciplinary international team, and in recent years has been instructed in a number of arbitrations with foreign seats and/or arising out of contracts governed by a law other than English law.

In the past few years Ravi has acted as counsel in both institutional and ad hoc arbitrations under the rules of the LCIA, ICC, SIAC, and UNCITRAL.  He also has a growing practice as an arbitrator.

Ravi is currently instructed in a considerable number of large pieces of commercial litigation in the Business and Property Courts, primarily the Commercial Court.

Ravi is instructed in a broad range of disputes which have involved allegations of fraud and corruption as well as breach of contract and tort. Ravi is often instructed in heavy interim matters involving questions of conflict of laws/jurisdiction, procedure and injunctive relief.

All aspects of wet and dry shipping.

Significant experience also in relation to shipbuilding, ship sale and purchase, ship repair, ship management and all aspects of port operation.

Domestic and international disputes arising out of contracts for the sale and / or transport of goods (by air, road and rail as well as by sea), extensive experience of advising under BIFA, CMR and RHA terms, as well as underlying contracts of insurance.

Construction of policies.

Disputes as to coverage and non-disclosure/misrepresentation.

Protection and indemnity policy / marine insurance advice.

Disputes arising out of various facility agreements and documentary credits including bills of exchange, letters of credit, performance bonds and guarantees.

Further information

Appointments & Memberships

Advocate
Arbitration Ireland
Bentham Association
British Maritime Law Association
CEDR Exchange Network
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – MCIArb
Commercial Bar Association
FDI International Moot Competition – College of Arbitrators
ICC Global Commission on Arbitration and ADR
Indian Maritime Association (UK)
International Bar Association
International Council for Commercial Arbitration
Inter-Pacific Bar Association
London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association
London Court of International Arbitration – European Users’ Council
London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association – Supporting Member
Scottish Arbitration Centre
Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration – Individual Member
UK India Business Council – Next Generation Network Member
Worshipful Company of Arbitrators – Freeman

Gujarati (fluent spoken)

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