Vinayak Pradhan appointed as acting director of AIAC

Attorney-General Tommy Thomas today announced the appointment of Vinayak Pradhan as the acting director of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (Malaysia) (AIAC) with immediate effect following the resignation of Professor Sundra Rajoo.

In a media release, Thomas also thanked Sundra for his nine-year leadership at AIAC.

Thomas said Pradhan is the doyen of arbitration in Malaysia and recognised the world over for his ability, experience and leadership in the field of arbitration.

"As the past president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom, his international credentials in the arbitration community are undoubtedly world class.

"Paying tribute to Pradhan at his award ceremony as "Malaysian Arbitrator of the Year 2016", the honourable Chief Justice of Singapore Sundaresh Menon describes him as an outstanding arbitrator", one of the greatest lawyers from our part of the world", and as "among the very finest" of arbitrators he had the opportunity of appearing before,” he said.

Thomas said Pradhan's achievements included appointments as Commissioner with the United Nations Compensation Commission, member of Permanent Court of Arbitrators, the Hague, member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Lausanne, vice chair of the ICC Commission of Arbitration, Fellow of the International Academy of Construction Lawyers and member of the Advisory Board of AIAC.

Thomas said Pradhan was called to the Malaysian Bar in 1974, after securing his LL.B. from the University of Singapore and he is a Consultant to Skrine.

He said Prof Dr Kennedy Gastorn, Secretary General of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO), which was also involved in the activities of AIAC, supported the decision to appoint Pradhan.

"Having personally known Pradhan for decades, I can vouch for his unimpeachable integrity which will enhance the standing of AIAC in the domestic and international arenas. I am confident he will lead AIAC to lofty heights," said Thomas.

- Bernama