BRUS CHAMBERS, Advocates & Solicitors

International and Domestic Commercial Arbitration; Shipping & Admiralty; Commercial, Contractual & Infrastructure Project Litigation

Binita Hathi is unequivocally acknowledged as one of the most distinguished legal professionals in the field of shipping arbitration and shipping law in India. She has been consistently ranked as a ‘Leading Individual’ by The Legal 500 since 2005—a testament to her unwavering dedication, exceptional acumen, and consistent delivery of favorable outcomes across complex maritime disputes. With a formidable reputation grounded in two decades of preeminence, Ms. Hathi’s legal career reflects an enduring commitment to excellence in shipping-related dispute resolution and commercial arbitration.

Ms. Hathi’s distinguished qualifications firmly position her among the top echelons of India’s legal fraternity. She is a qualified solicitor in India and holds a Master’s degree in Law. Furthermore, she is an Advocate-on-Record (AoR) of the Supreme Court of India, a credential achieved through a rigorous examination and a requisite prerequisite for representing clients before the apex judicial forum in the country.

Her principal office is based in Mumbai, yet her practice spans the entirety of India, handling cases across diverse jurisdictions with seamless proficiency. Since the inception of her career, she has focused her legal practice predominantly on shipping arbitration and maritime law—fields in which she commands unparalleled experience, having acted for a wide range of Indian and international clients on critical and high-value matters.

Leadership Role at Brus Chambers: A Vanguard of Dispute Resolution

Ms. Hathi is a senior partner and co-head of the dispute resolution practice at Brus Chambers, a premier Indian law firm known globally for its exceptional maritime and arbitration practice. She leads both domestic and cross-border commercial arbitration and litigation matters with nuanced expertise and a solutions-driven approach.

Her core areas of specialization include:

• Shipping Litigation and Arbitration: Handling disputes involving ship arrests, charter party claims, cargo disputes, marine insurance issues, collisions, salvage, and general average matters across Indian ports and other international jurisdictions.
• Commercial Dispute Resolution: Expertise in representing clients in intricate commercial disputes, often involving multi-jurisdictional and cross-border elements.
• Infrastructure and Contractual Disputes: Advising on complex contractual arrangements and acting in related litigation and arbitration concerning infrastructure, EPC projects, and logistics sectors.

Comprehensive Arbitration Expertise Across Institutional and Ad Hoc Forums

Ms. Hathi possesses deep-rooted experience in representing clients in both institutional and ad hoc arbitrations under nearly all significant international and domestic arbitration rules and frameworks. These include:

• International Arbitral Institutions: Representation under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC), Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), International Court of Justice (ICJ), OHADA (CCJA), and American Arbitration Association (AAA).
• Domestic Arbitration: Advocacy before the Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) and various high courts and tribunals across India.
• Ad Hoc Arbitrations: With profound command over various arbitration rules, she has led numerous successful proceedings tailored to client-specific needs and dispute contours.

Ms. Hathi’s ability to manage complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes is complemented by her long-standing collaborations with global arbitration experts. Whether seated in India or a foreign jurisdiction, her arbitration strategies and procedural mastery ensure optimal resolution of even the most sophisticated matters.

What sets Ms. Hathi apart is her rare combination of rigorous legal scholarship and practical problem-solving. Her client-centric philosophy emphasizes not merely advocacy in adversarial settings but also strategic advisory roles in pre-dispute risk mitigation, amicable settlement negotiations, and enforcement of arbitral awards. She has a demonstrated track record of successfully representing clients in high-value arbitrations and mediations while also securing interim and final reliefs through Indian courts.

She is particularly adept at rendering contractual advice for maritime transactions, infrastructure projects, logistics operations, and port development arrangements. Her broad-based maritime experience includes not only litigation and arbitration but also transactional advisory and contract structuring—making her a one-stop solution for clients navigating the complexities of shipping laws.

Clients value her for her clarity, foresight, and incisive judgment in multi-jurisdictional legal frameworks. She is consistently retained as lead counsel in high-stakes commercial and shipping disputes involving foreign laws and international tribunals.

Thought Leadership and Scholarly Contributions

Ms. Hathi has made significant contributions to the legal literature, particularly in areas of maritime and arbitration law. She is the co-author of several authoritative legal texts, including:

• International Arbitration – A treatise analyzing arbitration mechanisms, procedural conduct, and enforcement strategies.
• Maritime Practice in India – A comprehensive guide to the legal landscape surrounding maritime trade, shipping operations, and admiralty practice in India.
• Ship Arrest in India and Admiralty Laws of India – Widely regarded as the definitive legal text on ship arrest procedures and the evolution of admiralty jurisdiction under Indian law.

Her scholarly writings reflect her deep understanding of both doctrinal law and its real-world application. These works are frequently cited by practitioners, judges, and arbitrators and are integral to the academic and professional maritime law corpus.

In addition to her professional experience, Ms. Hathi has undertaken advanced legal education at globally recognized institutions:

• Government Law College, Mumbai: Completed her law and masters in law from Mumbai
• AOR Supreme Court of India: Enrolled with the Supreme Court of India as Advocate on Record, Her principal office is based in Mumbai, yet her practice spans the entirety of India, handling cases across diverse jurisdictions with seamless proficiency.
• Harvard University: Completed the intensive program on law.
• Leiden University, Netherlands: Undertook advanced studies on The Arbitration of International Disputes, covering dispute resolution through international courts and tribunals, including the ICJ, ICSID, and others.

These programs have enriched her perspective on international legal standards and arbitration best practices, further sharpening her already formidable expertise.

Brus Chambers: A Leading International Arbitration Firm

Under Ms. Hathi’s strategic guidance, Brus Chambers has become a powerhouse in the realm of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), particularly in maritime and infrastructure disputes. The firm’s commitment to delivering innovative, efficient, and effective legal solutions ensures that its clients are not only well-represented but also benefit from outcome-oriented strategies that mitigate legal and financial risk.

The firm’s expertise extends to all aspects of ADR, including arbitration, mediation, conciliation, and expert determination. With Ms. Hathi at the helm of the arbitration practice, Brus Chambers has earned a global reputation for excellence and reliability.

Why Clients Choose Binita Hathi

• Proven Leadership: Over 18 years of consistent recognition by The Legal 500 as a ‘Leading Individual’.
• International Arbitration Expertise: Familiarity with virtually every major international arbitration regime.
• Strategic Resolution: Proven ability to navigate and resolve the most high-stakes disputes with precision and diplomacy.
• Thought Leader: Co-author of the most authoritative legal publications on maritime and arbitration law in India.
• Tailored Client Service: Unmatched ability to craft solutions aligned with both international standards and client-specific objectives.

For clients and collaborators seeking excellence in shipping arbitration, maritime law, and cross-border dispute resolution, Binita Hathi offers unmatched credentials, deep insight, and a client-first approach that consistently delivers favorable outcomes. Her leadership at Brus Chambers underscores a legacy of legal brilliance and strategic foresight in international arbitration

LL.B from Government Law College, Mumbai; LL.M from Government Law College, Mumbai; Admitted as Advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa (1994); Admitted as Solicitor with the Bombay Incorporated Law Society, (1999); Admitted as Advocate on Record (AOR) with the Supreme Court of India (2004); Advocate Bombay High Court and Supreme Court of India; Legal assistant Desai & Dewanji, Advocate Assistant at Hariani & Co, Advocate Assistant at Bhatt & Saldanha, Solicitor Assistant at Mulla & Mulla, Craigie, Blunt & Caroe (1994-98). Solicitors; Partner with Brus Chambers, Solicitors; Co-author of the book ‘Maritime Practice in India’; Co-author of the book ‘International Arbitration’.

English, Hindi, Bengali

Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa

Supreme Court of India AOR

LL.B from Government Law College, Mumbai; LL.M from Government Law College, Mumbai; Admitted as Advocate with the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa (1994); Admitted as Solicitor with the Bombay Incorporated Law Society, (1999); Admitted as Advocate on Record (AOR) with the Supreme Court of India (2004); Advocate Bombay High Court and Supreme Court of India; Legal assistant Desai & Dewanji, Advocate Assistant at Hariani & Co, Advocate Assistant at Bhatt & Saldanha, Solicitor Assistant at Mulla & Mulla, Craigie, Blunt & Caroe (1994-98). Solicitors; Partner with Brus Chambers, Solicitors; Co-author of the book ‘Maritime Practice in India’; Co-author of the book ‘International Arbitration’.