Head of Herbert Smith Freehills’ Global Arbitration Practice, Paula Hodges QC has been appointed President of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) Court, effective May 2019.
Paula has headed Herbert Smith Freehills’ global arbitration practice since 2008 and has over 25 years’ experience of advising on international disputes across many jurisdictions, including London, Paris, Geneva, Zurich, Stockholm, the US, Canada, Dubai, Africa, Asia, Russia and the CIS, with particular focus on the energy, telecommunications and technology sectors. She has also appeared in arbitration-related litigation in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in London and sits regularly as an arbitrator. Her advocacy skills were recognised in 2014, when she was awarded the title of QC.
Headquartered in London, the LCIA is one of the world’s leading international institutions for commercial dispute resolution and, in particular, provides the administration of international arbitration around the globe. Its Court is made up of leading practitioners in arbitration from the world’s major trading areas and is the final authority for the application of the LCIA rules.
Paula has been Vice President of the Court for several years and also a LCIA Board member for a decade. Paula will continue to practise full-time at the firm whilst undertaking her new LCIA responsibilities.
Justin D’Agostino, Global Head of Dispute Resolution at Herbert Smith Freehills and Managing Partner for Asia, says: “Paula is an exceptionally talented lawyer and arbitrator and we are very proud of her achievement. This appointment is a testament not only to Paula’s legal excellence but demonstrates the high esteem in which she is regarded by the LCIA and wider arbitration community.”
