Practice Profile
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. As well as litigation in the English courts, Ravi has an extensive international arbitration practice. He has been instructed in arbitrations seated in a number of jurisdictions under a number of applicable laws, both ad hoc (in particular LMAA) as well as institutional arbitration (in particular ICC, LCIA and SIAC).
Ravi has a broad domestic and international client base, and in addition to his practice as Counsel he offers services as a mediator and arbitrator. He is a CEDR accredited mediator, a freeman of the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators, a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a Deputy District Judge. He is regularly asked to provide expert evidence on English law for use in foreign courts and arbitral tribunals. He frequently attends and speaks at conferences on subjects arising out of his practice areas, both in the UK and abroad.
Ravi has a growing practice as arbitrator and in the past two years has worked on the following arbitrations as arbitrator:
- LMAA Arbitration (English seat, English law) - Co-arbitrator - settled pre-hearing.
- ICC Arbitration (Swiss seat, English law) - Co-arbitrator - Award issued September 2018.
- LMAA Arbitration (English seat, English law) - Co-arbitrator - pre-hearing stages.
- LCIA Arbitration (Indian seat, Indian law) - Sole arbitrator - Award issued March 2019.
- LMAA Arbitration (English seat, English law) - Co-arbitrator - pre-hearing stages.
Ravi has a longstanding interest in matters of equality, diversity and inclusion as well as the next generation of practitioners. As well as a Chambers pupil supervisor, he is a “Buddy” in the 2018-2019 Young ICCA Mentoring Programme (and is often sought out as an informal mentor by young practitioners).
Appointments & Memberships
Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats
Arbitration Ireland
Bar Pro Bono Unit
Bentham Association
British Maritime Law Association
CEDR Exchange Network
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators - MCIArb
Commercial Bar Association
FDI International Moot Competition - College of Arbitrators
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
Testimonials
Recommended in the Chambers and Partners UK Bar and Global directories for International Arbitration (since 2017) and Shipping and Commodities (since 2011). Current recommendations:
2019 – “Easy to work with and intelligent.” “A very technical lawyer who is an absolute pleasure to work with.” “He is very impressive and knows his stuff.” (International Arbitration (General Commercial and Insurance))
2019 – A very good, bright junior.” “He has a very good style. He presents cases in an attractive way and is effective with judges. He reads the courts well.” (Shipping and Commodities)
Recommended in the Legal 500 (UK for International Arbitration (since 2015), Commodities (since 2012) and Shipping (since 2009); Asia Pacific for Commercial (since 2019)). Current recommendations:
2019 – “Quick, reliable and to the point, I am confident he will be a QC very soon.” (International Arbitration (Counsel))
2019 – “Bright, user friendly and one to watch; he senses the needs of clients and gives good commercial advice.” (Commodities)
2019 – “Has a detailed and measured approach.” (Shipping)
2019 – “He goes above and beyond what solicitors expect in case preparation.” (Commercial)
Recommended in the Who’s Who Legal UK Bar Directory for International Trade & Commodities (since 2015). Current recommendation:
2019 – “Ravi Aswani continues to impress peers with his in-depth understanding of international joint venture and commodities-related disputes.” (International Trade & Commodities)
Commercial Dispute Resolution
All substantive and procedural aspects of litigation, arbitration and mediation. Ravi is currently instructed in a considerable number of Commercial Court actions and international commercial arbitrations, many of which may be heard during 2019 and 2020. In the past few years Ravi has acted as counsel in a number of substantial arbitration hearings including LMAA, LCIA, ICC, SIAC, SCMA and DIFC LCIA arbitrations, as well as Commercial Court litigation.
Ravi is instructed in disputes arising out of a very wide range of industries and sectors.
Ravi is frequently instructed to appear unled against QC opposition. The disputes Ravi has been instructed 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 jurisdiction, procedure and injunctive relief.
Shipping & International Trade
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.
Insurance & Reinsurance
Construction of policies.
Disputes as to coverage and non-disclosure/misrepresentation.
Protection and indemnity policy / marine insurance advice.
Banking & Finance
Disputes arising out of various facility agreements and documentary credits including bills of exchange, letters of credit, performance bonds and guarantees.
Representative Work / Detailed CVs
Please follow the following links for Ravi’s specific CVs which set out extensive detail of representative work:
Awards & Scholarships
University College London
»» Andrews Prize
»» Simmons & Simmons EC Law Prize
»» Titmuss Sainer Dechert / CCH Company Law Prize
»» Sweet & Maxwell Prize
»» Dean’s List
Nottingham Law School
»» Taylor Prize Runner Up
Lincoln’s Inn
»» Hardwicke Entrance Award, 1998
»» Sir Thomas More Bursary, 1999
»» Buchanan Prize, 2000
»» Megarry Scholarship, 2000