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party-centred, service-driven dispute resolution

Sarah K Vasani

Sarah Z. Vasani

Independent Arbitrator

Sarah Vasani is globally-renowned international arbitrator and the founder of Vasani International Arbitration (“VIA”), a London-based chambers from which she serves as a full-time independent arbitrator. In that regard, Sarah sits exclusively as arbitrator and no longer accepts instructions as counsel.

Prior to launching VIA in August 2025, Sarah spent over 20 years in international law firms across two continents, including 10 as partner.  In that capacity, she led large teams of lawyers in dozens of international arbitration disputes worth several billions of dollars in aggregate.  Specifically, she was Co-Head of the International Arbitration at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP, where she led the firm’s high-stakes disputes practice with responsibility for the firm’s lawyers in the UK, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Türkiye, Singapore, and parts of Latin America. Her earlier roles included five years as Head of Investor-State Dispute Resolution at Addleshaw Goddard LLP in London, and nearly a decade at King & Spalding LLP, where she worked across the Houston, Washington D.C., and London offices. 

Sarah has acted as both lead advocate and arbitrator in dozens of high-value international arbitrations across a range of arbitral institutions including ICSID, UNCITRAL, LCIA, ICC, SIAC, ICDR, SCC, HKIAC, and DIAC, and under various common and civil governing laws, BITs, IIAs, including the ECT, OIC, and the ASEAN treaties.  She is dual-qualified in England & Wales and the U.S. (Texas and Washington D.C.), and a Solicitor-Advocate of the Higher Courts of England & Wales. 

Sarah’s sectoral expertise spans aviation, banking, energy, mining, oil and gas, renewables, shipping and infrastructure, with substantial experience in large-scale projects across Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and Latin America.

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"She has a wealth of accumulated knowledge, which is a major asset"
Chambers UK Guide 2026 - Band 1 International Arbitration: Arbitrators
"If you want someone who has done it all, seen it all and can uncover it all, you can't get anyone better than her as arbitrator"
Chambers UK Guide 2026 - Band 1 International Arbitration: Arbitrators
Sarah is “among the best of her generation” and “an excellent lawyer”.
Legal 500
“Sarah is extremely personable and very easy to deal with. She is completely on top of what everyone is meant to be doing. She makes sure the right people are on things at the right time.”
Chambers Global
“a truly inspirational lawyer, she is outgoing, authentic and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law.” The publication notes that she is “always prepared”, “very bright and easy to work with”, and adept at finding “practical solutions to complex cases.”
Global Arbitration Review
"Sarah Vasani ranks prominently for her "energy, enthusiasm and strong background in treaty claims."
WWL Arbitration
“a skilled advocate with a thorough knowledge of public international law”
WWL Arbitration
“highly capable operator”
WWL Arbitration
"Sarah is very creative in managing extremely complex cases"
WWL Arbitration
“Sarah is very impressive. She's collaborative and brings in the right expertise"
Chambers International Arbitration (UK-Wide)
"Sarah cares a lot about her client's needs. She is a phenomenally good advocate.”
Chambers International Arbitration (UK-Wide)
“Sarah is an absolute pleasure and delight to work with. She did a fantastic job leading the team through a complex hearing.”
Chambers International Arbitration (UK-Wide)
“Sarah Vasani has notable experience handling both investor-state and commercial arbitrations.”
Chambers Global Guide – International Arbitration – UK
"She has considerable strength in providing counsel on disputes relating to the oil and gas sector in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.”
Chambers Global Guide – International Arbitration – UK
"Sarah is an outstanding lawyer and a very experienced arbitrator"
Lexology Thought Leaders - Arbitration
"She is a leader in the field"
Lexology Thought Leaders - Arbitration
"An experienced counsel in investment arbitration, including CIS region"
Lexology Thought Leaders - Arbitration