Karyl Nairn KC
Ms Karyl Nairn KC is an independent arbitrator based in London, United Kingdom. Prior to joining Arbitration Chambers, Ms Nairn KC was the Global Co-Head of Skadden’s International Litigation and Arbitration Group where she focused on complex international commercial arbitration and litigation, as well as investment treaty arbitration, acting for governments and corporations across a range of industry sectors, including finance and banking, energy, mining, film/television, art, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications. Ms Nairn KC’s practice as Counsel had a particular focus on joint venture/shareholder issues and disputes arising out of complex M&A transactions.
Ms Nairn KC served as a member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration from 1999 to 2015, including as a Vice President. She has served as a member of the Appointments Committee of ICC Australia since 2018. She was a Vice President of the LCIA Court from 2019 to 2024. She was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge in England and Wales in 2023. She currently serves as Chairman of the Development Board of JUSTICE, a leading UK charity focussing on access to justice and the preservation of the Rule of Law in the UK. She is a Trustee of InterMediate, a charity engaged in resolving armed conflict in some of the most challenging parts of the world. She also serves on various arts boards and committees.
As well as taking arbitral appointments in commercial and public international matters, Ms Nairn KC accepts appointments as mediator, with good experience in helping parties to resolve amicably their disputes in the visual and performing arts and media sectors.