Vasanti Selvaratnam KC KC > The 36 Group > London, England > Barrister Profile
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Vasanti Selvaratnam KC KC
Work Department
36 Stone
Position
Vasanti Selvaratnam KC is a senior Silk practising as Counsel and International Arbitrator within 36 Stone and joint head of Chambers of The 36 Group from 2018 to 2023.
Her practice embraces all aspects of international commercial litigation and arbitration, including shipping (wet, dry and shipbuilding), commodities, banking and finance, conflict of law and jurisdiction disputes, all forms of interim urgent relief, including freezing orders and anti-suit injunctions, and civil fraud. She is particularly noted for her user friendly hands-on approach to cases and for her ability quickly to get to grips with disputes raising complex factual and technical issues which require a sound grasp of expert evidence and mastery of detail.
As Counsel
Clients include the major P&I clubs, shipowners, charterers and salvors as well as large commercial organisations involved in commercial court litigation or international commercial arbitration in non-shipping matters.
Recent notable cases include; The Alexandra 1 (2021), the leading case in the Supreme Court on the scope of the Crossing Rule in the International Collision Regulations; Rubicon Vantage v KrisEnergy [2019] EWHC 2012 (Comm), the first reported case to consider a hybrid guarantee which is part “on demand” and part “see to it” and the role of the Marubeni principle in relation to construction of the scope of the “on demand” portion of the guarantee; Emirates Trading Agency LLC v PMEPL [2014] 2 Lloyd’s Rep 457, regarding friendly discussions clause a condition precedent to right to commence arbitration; she is appearing in the Supreme Court in RTI v MUR, an important case on the meaning of reasonable endeavours in a force majeure clause in the context of sanctions against Russia and currency of payment.
As Arbitrator:
Vasanti Selvaratnam KC has significant experience of dispute resolution in both a judicial and quasi-judicial capacity. She was appointed a Recorder in 1999, is an accredited mediator, and receives regular appointments to act as an arbitrator across a wide range of industry sectors, including but not limited to shipping and international trade disputes.
She accepts appointments under all the major industry rules, including LCIA, ICC, LMAA, LOF, SCMA, SIAC, HKIAC and UNCITRAL and has particular expertise in cases raising complex technical issues as well as novel or difficult points on assessment of damages.
Recent arbitrations include; Chair of an LCIA Panel relation to disputes under contract relating to the sale of crude oil. Chair of an ICC Panel relating to contractual disputes governed by Iraq law concerning removal of unexploded materials at Basrah port. Sole arbitrator in an UNCITRAL governed dispute relating to disputes under a guarantee (appointed by the LCIA). Co-arbitrator in an ICC India law governed and seated matter in the pharmaceutical sector. Numerous LOF appointments by Lloyds Salvage Arbitration Branch, including an ongoing matter which involves the largest LOF fund since records began. Numerous LMAA party appointments, including by well-known oil and commodity traders.
Her expertise was acknowledged again when she was announced as the highest ranked member of the UK Bar to feature in ‘All About Shipping’s Top 100 women in shipping for 2019’; a list of remarkable women who have substantially contributed to the international maritime industry over the years. She has been shortlisted by Legal 500 as Shipping Silk of the Year 2023.
Career
Called 1983 Middle Temple; Recorder 2000-2018; Queen’s Counsel 2001. Bencher of Middle Temple. Joint Head of The 36 Group 2019.
Languages
Working knowledge French
Memberships
ICC, LCIA, COMBAR, BMLA, LMAA (supporting), LSLC (head of education sub-committee), ICCA, SIAC Panel Member; SCMA Panel Member; HKIAC Panel Member.
Education
St Augustine’s Priory Ealing; King’s College, London (1982 LLB; 1984 LLM Hons 1st).
Leisure
Foreign travel.
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > International arbitration: arbitrators
(Leading counsel as arbitrators)Ranked: Tier 2Vasanti Selvaratnam – The 36 Group ‘Strong specialist knowledge of maritime law and practice. Good advocacy skills and determination. Good to work with as a co-arbitrator.’
London Bar > Commodities
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 3Vasanti Selvaratnam KC – The 36 Group ‘Her legal acumen is undeniable, she is meticulous in her preparation, and her courtroom presence is confident and effective.’
The team at The 36 Group houses ‘real gems in both commodities and shipping‘. The set is highly regarded for its specialist focus on commodities, shipping and international trade law, and members field extensive experience in advising on commodities issues arising from shipping disputes. Vasanti Selvaratnam KC is a highly regarded practitioner in the space; she recently appeared before the Supreme Court in an arbitration appeal concerning issues of force majeure pertaining to a multimillion-dollar contract for shipments of bauxite. Other key names to note include the ‘user-friendly, precise and commercial‘ Ravi Aswani and Charles Debattista, who ‘applies his expert knowledge to find innovative legal answers to difficult questions‘.
London Bar > Shipping
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2Vasanti Selvaratnam KC –The 36 Group ‘ Her individual strengths are great clarity in her written work and brilliance in her advocacy. She is very well respected by everyone at the shipping Bar and is seen as an overall star.’
Hailed as a ‘very well regarded set with in-depth ability from top to bottom’, The 36 Group fields a number of barristers specialised in shipping and handling numerous high-profile cases in the industry. Elizabeth Blackburn KC continues to be instructed in the Ever Given in a High Court salvage claim pertaining to the infamous vessel that ran aground in the Suez Canal in 2021, while the Nautical Challenge Ltd v Evergreen Marine (UK) Limited, which deals with the collision of two vessels near Dubai in 2015, is one of the matters recently handled by Mark Jones. Vasanti Selvaratnam KC‘s busy shipping practice included the first case in which the responsibility for a collision in a precautionary area had to be considered by the English Admiralty Court, M/V Wilforce cw M/V Western Moscow.
London Bar > International arbitration: counsel
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 4Vasanti Selvaratnam KC –The 36 Group ‘Vasanti is a fluent and unflappable advocate who puts her case clearly and is never unsettled by points or questions which the court or tribunal throw her. She is determined in pursuit of her clients’ case, but with a pleasant personal style which appeals to judges and arbitrators.’