Martin Lau#10391

Martin Lau

Barrister at Law, Professor of South Asian Law, and International Independent Arbitrator, Essex Court Chambers, SOAS: University of London, and Arbitrator at 24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
Martin Lau has been a member of Essex Court Chambers since 1997, specialising in the field of Islamic finance and South Asian law. In his arbitration practice, Martin sits as sole, presiding and co-arbitrator with experience under ad-hoc, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA and UNCITRAL rules, including Pakistan, Dubai, Qatar, Turkey and UK seated arbitrations. Martin’s professional experience includes appointments as Legal Officer to the Claims Resolution Tribunal for Dormant Accounts in Switzerland and as Legal Assistant to Prof Martin Hunter at the NAFTA Arbitral Panel in Mexico -v- US. He has provided expert reports on Islamic and South Asian law in over 200 cases. Martin frequently carries out consultancies and international fact-finding missions, for example to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Iran.

Martin is also a Professor of Law at SOAS University of London, where he has lectured since 1990. He has held visiting academic appointments at Harvard Law School and Nagoya University and is the Editor-in-Chief of Brill’s Yearbook of Islamic and Middle Eastern Law.

Martin Lau has been a member of Essex Court Chambers since 1997, specialising in the field of Islamic finance and South Asian law.

In his arbitration practice, Martin sits as sole, presiding and co-arbitrator with experience under ad-hoc, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA and UNCITRAL rules, including Pakistan, Dubai, Qatar, Turkey and UK seated arbitrations. Martin’s professional experience includes appointments as Legal Officer to the Claims Resolution Tribunal for Dormant Accounts in Switzerland and as Legal Assistant to Prof Martin Hunter at the NAFTA Arbitral Panel in Mexico -v- US. He has provided expert reports on Islamic and South Asian law in over 200 cases. Martin frequently carries out consultancies and international fact-finding missions, for example to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Iran.

Martin is also a Professor of Law at SOAS University of London, where he has lectured since 1990. He has held visiting academic appointments at Harvard Law School and Nagoya University and is the Editor-in-Chief of Brill’s Yearbook of Islamic and Middle Eastern Law.

Practice Area

Panel

  • Consulting Editorial Board

Qualified Year

  • 1997

Experience

  • Essex Court Chambers, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London (1997 - Present)
  • School of Law, SOAS, University of London (2004 - Present)
  • School of Law, LUMS, Lahore/Pakistan (2016 - 2018)
  • European Commission Justice Sector Reform Programme, Kabul, Afghanistan (2007 - 2008)
  • Islamic Legal Studies Program, Harvard Law School (2006 - 2007)
  • Centre for Asian Legal Exchange, University of Nagoya (2005 - 2006)
  • Department of Law, SOAS (1990 - 2004)

Membership

  • London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
  • International Court of Arbitration (ICC)
  • Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Accredited Mediator)

Qualifications

  • Diploma in Communicative Arabic - 2014-2015
  • PhD “The Role of Islam in the Legal System of Pakistan” - 2002
  • MA Area Studies (South Asia) - 1988-1989
  • BA (equivalent) History, Law & Political Science - 1985-1988

Education

  • SOAS Language Centre - 2014-2015
  • University of London - 2002
  • SOAS University of London - 1988-1989
  • University of Heidelberg, Germany - 1985-1988

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