The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) has announced that James Castello, a partner in King & Spalding’s International Arbitration Group based in Paris, has been appointed the next deputy chairman of the LCIA Board of Directors having served as a member of the board since 2015. James fills the role vacated by the new chairman, Christopher Style KC, following his appointment on 1 January 2023.
For more than 20 of his 35 years in legal practice, James Castello has lived and worked in Europe, focusing exclusively on international arbitration (both commercial and investor-state) as both counsel and arbitrator. Since 2001, he has served as well as a U.S. delegate to the UNCITRAL Arbitration Working Group, participating in the preparation of UNCITRAL’s signature arbitration instruments, including the Model Law (2006), the Arbitration Rules (2010), the new Transparency Rules for Investor-State Arbitration (2013), and the related Mauritius Convention on Transparency (2014), as well as the Expedited Arbitration Rules (2021).
Before joining the LCIA Board, James served as a member of the LCIA Court (during which time he served on the drafting committee for the 2014 LCIA Arbitration Rules), and President of the LCIA European Users’ Council (2013 to 2019).
Chris had this to say: 'I am delighted that James has agreed to serve. As we all know, he is one of the world’s leading authorities on international arbitration and he brings to the LCIA huge experience of an American lawyer practising in Paris. He has very strong views on practically everything, so he will keep us on our toes; and he is a very engaging character, so it’s going to be fun!'
Director General Jackie van Haersolte-van Hof emphasised: 'It will be an honour and pleasure working with James who knows the LCIA inside and out. I have very good memories of our presenting the 2014 Rules together, shortly after I joined the LCIA. Since then, James has contributed to the organisation in many capacities, bringing his insight and skills as an experienced practitioner, gifted lawyer and inspiring personality.'
James on his appointment: 'I welcome the chance to serve as Deputy Chair, though with some trepidation since Chris occupied these big shoes with consummate skill for so many years. Since first joining the LCIA Court more than 15 years ago, I have admired this institution’s distinctive features: its pathbreaking transparency – publishing both arbitrator challenge decisions as well as detailed data on cost and duration of cases; its dedicated case management staff; and its famed Tylney Hall format for ensuring interactive conferences, among other features. I hope to strengthen further its achievements.'
A full listing of LCIA Board Members can be viewed here.
Please email enquiries@lcia.org for any queries.
