Sir Bernard Eder

ICC, LCIA, LMAA (supporting member), ARIAS (UK) (Panel Member), FCIArb, SIAC (Panel Member), SCMA, Member of the Baltic Exchange, CIETAC, HIAC, HKIArb (Fellow), FCIArb, JCA, JCAA, SIAC, IDRA, XMAC (Panel Member), AIADR (Honorary Fellow)

Sir Bernard has acted as arbitrator in over 400 international arbitrations under the aegis of various institutions including the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, LMAA, DIFC/LCIA, ARIAS (UK) and on an ad hoc basis involving a wide range of commercial disputes including joint ventures, share purchase agreements, oil and gas, power supply, telecoms, shipping, international trade, insurance/reinsurance, banking, construction (including shipbuilding), commodities and energy law. 

He is ranked Band 1 (International Arbitrators, UK) in both Chambers and Legal 500; and was awarded Lawyer of the Year – International Arbitration (Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022). 

Previously, he practised as a barrister for almost 35 years between 1976-2010 specialising in commercial litigation and international arbitration. He was appointed KC in 1990, Recorder in 1996 and a Justice of the High Court of England and Wales (QBD) in 2011. During his practice at the English Bar, he acted as Counsel in over 100 reported cases (including in the Commercial Court, the Court of Appeal, the House of Lords and the Privy Council) and over 200 international arbitrations. He also acted as Counsel in numerous foreign jurisdictions (including Singapore, Gibraltar and various Courts in the Caribbean). 

As a High Court Judge, he sat mainly in the Commercial Court in London presiding over a number of high-profile trials. He also sat from time to time in the general Queen’s Bench Division, the Administrative Court and Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) as well as on circuit at various Crown Courts across England presiding over criminal trials. He retired from the Bench in April 2015 since when he has practised primarily as a full-time international arbitrator. 

In May 2015, he was appointed an International Judge of the Singapore International Commercial Court where he continues to sit from time to time. He regularly delivers lectures/speeches in the UK and in other parts of the world. Examples of his appointments as arbitrator together with a list his most notable reported cases as Counsel, Judgments, recent speeches and other appointments/activities are provided in full within his CV.

Ranked Band 1 (International Arbitrators, UK) in both Chambers and Legal 500; and was awarded Lawyer of the Year – International Arbitration (Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2022).

“One of the best and most proactive arbitrators in London for any sort of dispute – very bright and commercial. He is an amazing operator and always gets the right result. Excellent as the chairman of a tribunal, he takes no messing around from the parties and is very robust” 

Legal 500, 2024

"He is extremely quick to respond and very astute in his work; Bernard is a top class arbitrator" Chambers and Partners, 2024