Chartered Arbitrator and CEDR-accredited mediator Chiann Bao has joined Arbitration-specialised outfit ArbBoutique as a Partner. ArbBoutique was set up last year by Maxi Scherer and Niuscha Bassiri..With over 20 years of experience, Bao has practiced as a lawyer in New York and Hong Kong and served in leadership roles at institutions, including as Secretary-General of the HKIAC (2010-2016) and as a Vice President of the ICC (2018-2024). She is currently serving as co-chair of the IBA Arbitration Committee and is a member of the Governing Board of ICCA.As a full-time arbitrator since 2018, Bao has acted as a tribunal chair, co-arbitrator, sole arbitrator or emergency arbitrator under most institutional rules, including AAA, CIETAC, HKIAC, JCAA, KCAB, ICC, LCIA, SCCA, SIAC, Swiss Arbitration Centre, SCC, SHIAC, VIAC (Vietnam), as well as in ad hoc (UNCITRAL) proceedings in almost a hundred arbitrations with a total value of nearly USD 40 billion..On joining ArbBoutique, Bao says, "As an independent practitioner, ArbBoutique’s structure strikes the right balance for my practice and is comprised of dynamic, universally well-respected members of the arbitration community. I look forward to collaborating with the team to further the global mission of the outfit.”.On this development, Prof Dr Maxi Scherer and Niuscha Bassiri, co-founders of ArbBoutique shared,“We are thrilled that Chiann chose to join us, expanding ArbBoutique’s global reach. Chiann’s reputation and excellence as arbitrator, as well as her leadership roles, match ArbBoutique’s calibre and vision. The geographic and language diversity that she brings with her is unique. We could not have wished for a better-suited arbitrator to move ArbBoutique to the next level.”.Coinciding with Bao’s addition, ArbBoutique is also growing at the junior level. They have announced the elevation of their first intern, Ritika Ajitsaria, admitted to the Maharashtra and Goa bar, to Associate. Ajitsaria has over 5 years of experience in Dispute Resolution and International Arbitration Work, having worked at Trilegal, Mumbai..ArbBoutique’s lawyers say, “Bringing several years of experience in international arbitration and domestic litigation in India, Ritika complements the global perspective of the team.”.ArbBoutique was launched in September 2024 and within the first six months of its existence, ArbBoutique has already received multiple laurels. The team’s combined amount in dispute in ongoing cases is over USD 75 billion.Since its inception, ArbBoutique’s lawyers have assumed leadership positions across the field, with Maxi appointed as the next President of the LCIA and Niuscha to the Council of the ICC Institute of World Business Law,.If you would like your Deals, Columns, Press Releases to be published on Bar & Bench, please fill in the form available here.
