Navigating the path to
party-centred, service-driven dispute resolution

Sarah K Vasani

Sarah Z. Vasani

Independent Arbitrator

Sarah Vasani is an internationally recognized arbitrator and the founder of Vasani International Arbitration (“VIA”), a London-based chambers from which she serves as a full-time independent arbitrator with over 20 years of experience in international commercial arbitrations and investor-state disputes. Sarah sits exclusively as arbitrator and no longer accepts instructions as counsel

Adopting a proactive, robust, and flexible approach to case management, Sarah is committed to ensuring that the arbitrations in which she sits are party-centred, service-driven, and tailored to the particularities of the parties and the dispute at hand.  

Prior to launching VIA, Sarah was the Co-Head of the International Arbitration Group and Head of Investor-State Dispute Resolution at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP, leading and managing high-stakes disputes across the UK, CEE, Middle East, Türkiye, Singapore, and Latin America. Her earlier roles include Head of Investor-State Dispute Resolution at Addleshaw Goddard LLP and nearly a decade at King & Spalding LLP, where she worked across offices in Houston, Washington D.C., and London.

Sarah has acted as both lead advocate and arbitrator in numerous 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, and IIAs. She is dual-qualified in England & Wales and the U.S. (Texas and Washington D.C.), a Solicitor-Advocate of the Higher Courts of England & Wales, and works fluently in English and Spanish.

Her sectoral expertise spans agriculture, aviation, commodities, energy, oil and gas, renewables, mining, public procurement, and infrastructure, with substantial experience in large-scale projects across Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and Latin America, including those involving States and state-owned entities.

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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