Professional Experience
Qualified and trained as a barrister in the international arbitration, general civil law and intellectual property fields. Staff lawyer at the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law 1985-1989, responsible for arbitration activities generally and the English-speaking world. Research assistant and prize winning LLM student at Boston University. Resolved 650 consumer financial services disputes as Insurance Ombudsman Assistant and then as Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman. Since 1996, freelance lawyer, consultant and dispute resolver. Decided 189 WIPO UDRP cases since joining the panel in 2005 and about another 25 Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre cases. Member and chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Arbitration Sub-Committee and Member of the Practice and Standards Sub-Committee both for the maximum term allowed. Devised and ran the UK Institute of Financial Planning’s Disciplinary process. Counsel to lawyers and arbitrators involved in arbitration. As sole panelist and panel member, decided over 200 domain name cases. Member of the Court of Arbitration Sport Panel and of the UK Upper Tribunal (Chancery and Tax).
Arbitration Experience
Trained in the international maritime arbitration scene as a barrister. Wrote Jurisdictional Problems in International Commercial Arbitration and two other books on dispute resolution. Started being engaged as adviser to arbitrators. Official translator of Greenpeace v France award into English. Taught on first Chartered Institute Diploma in International Arbitration course. Awarded ACIArb as a result. Later upgraded it to Fellowship by taking and passing the practitioner assessment and exam. Resolved around 650 consumer financial services cases at the Insurance and Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman Bureaux. Resolved cases at the Pensions Ombudsman by drafting decisions for the Ombudsman. 2004 WIPO Domain Name disputes course followed by assessment which led to my immediate appointment to the panel. Decided 189 WIPO UDRP cases since joining the panel in 2005 and about another 25 Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre cases.
Professional and Other Activities
AJ Serino Outstanding Graduate Prize, Boston University 1990
Membership, Swiss Arbitration Association, American and New York Bar Associations, Personal Finance Society, Society of Mortgage Professionals, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, American Law Institute
Author of Jurisdictional Problems in International Commercial Arbitration 1989, Consumer Financial Services Complaints and Compensation, 1st and 2nd editions 2004 and 2017
Publications
Academic Qualifications
B.A. (Jurisprudence), St. Anne’s College, Oxford – 2:1 equivalent 1982
LL.M. Banking Law, Boston University – Outstanding Graduate Prize 1990
Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators 2006 Member of English (1983) & New York Bar (1991)
CISI Certificate in Advanced Financial Planning 2021, CISI Investment Adviser Diploma 2020
CAMS & CISI Certificate in Financial Crime 2018
CISI Diploma in Investment Compliance 2009 (Regulation and Compliance with merit)
CII Certificates of Financial Administration (Life) & Equity Release & CF8 Long-term care 2008
CII Advanced Financial Planning Certificate 2001, Mortgage Advisers Qualification 1999