Prof. Praveen Sandhu, C.Arb, FCIArb

Lawyer | Mediator | Arbitrator

Why I became an Arbitrator and Mediator

Helping adults find ways to resolve disputes was always a priority. Using the law and the court systems seemed to me a fair way for adults to resolve disputes because there was one set of rules that applied to every person. With experience, I saw that most cases could be resolved without the need to resort to a formal and lengthy court process. Both arbitration and mediation provide avenues to resolve disputes in ways that can leave parties feeling far more satisfied with the process than going to court.
So, along with the priority of helping people solve disputes I have added a second priority: using a constructive process for resolving disputes. Specifically, the process should be transparent, reasonably prompt, the parties should retain as much control as possible and there should be a feeling of overall satisfaction at the end of the process. Arbitration and mediation provide more of each aspect that makes a dispute resolution process more constructive. This is why I became an Arbitrator and Mediator, to help people resolve disputes in a more constructive way.

Education

University of California – Berkeley
Advanced Mediation & Conflict Resolution
Royal Roads University
Arbitrator Training Course
The University of British Columbia
B.A. & J.D.

Professional Memberships/Affiliations

  • FCIArb, Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London, UK
  • ADR Institute of Canada, Chartered Arbitrator
  • ADR Institute of Canada, Qualified Mediator
  • Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, Mediator
  • California Lawyers for the Arts, Mediator & Arbitrator
  • Civil Roster Mediator, ADRBC
  • Civil Roster Mediator, ADRBC
  • CIArb YMG Global Steering Committee Member
  • FAMINZ, Fellow, Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand
  • Committee Member, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), ICC Canada Arbitration Committee
  • Professor of Business Law, Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia
  • Listed on the panel of arbitrators or mediators with various arbitral institutions including ADRIC, LCIA, SCC and, DIAC

Experience

Arbitration

Acted as sole-arbitrator, co-arbitrator or on a panel of arbitrators in various types of commercial, contract, real estate, construction and insurance-related disputes.  This arbitration experience extends internationally, but primarily in Canada.  No appeal of any written Award to date.

Mediation

Mediated various types of disputes as a mediator on the roster with the California Superior Court, California Lawyers for the Arts, as a Civil Roster Mediator in British Columbia and ad hoc appointments.

British Columbia Court of Appeal

Handled matters as sole lead counsel in the British Columbia Court of Appeal

British Columbia Supreme Court

Conducted several conventional trials as sole lead counsel, two conventional trials as co-counsel, numerous summary trials as sole lead counsel and managed hundreds of litigation files from initial client meeting to conclusion as sole lead counsel

Languages

Fluent in English, French & Punjabi

Intermediate Hindi

Recent Speaking Engagements & Publications

“Growing Your Own Dispute Resolution Practice”, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), United Kingdom, 8 December 2022 Link: CIArb – Growing your own Dispute Resolution Practice

“ADR & The Vanishing Trial: Growth and Impact of ADR”, International Arbitration & Mediation Conference, World Law Alliance (WLA), India, 14 November 2022 Link: ADR and the Vanishing Trial: The growth and impact of ADR – YouTube

“Financing Development & Dispute Resolution”, with the Jamaican International Arbitration Centre (JAIAC), discussing differences between financing a development locally versus financing in an emerging economy & how emerging economies in particular may benefit from specific types of dispute resolutions mechanisms in their contracts, JAIAC Podcast Series, Episode 2 of Season 2, February 2022

“Know Your Blindspots”, with reference to mediation, sole speaker in an interview style discussion on how to maintain neutrality, Online Webinar, Beyond Law CLC, New Delhi, India, October 23, 2021 Link: “Know your Blindspots” with reference to Mediation: – YouTube

“Arbitrator Spotlight”, discussing key elements for becoming a successful arbitrator, Law Alert, LexisNexis Middle East, August/September 2021 issue. Links: Wasel and Wasel (waselandwasel.ca) – Lexis Middle East Law Alert (issue.com)

“Concrete Blocks, Creative Spaces”, a panel discussion on creative methods employed to get parties through a dispute and to a resolution, Virtual Symposium, ADR Institute of Canada, June 7-8, 2021 Link to Schedule: Schedule & Panel Topics – ADR Institute of British Columbia (adrbc.com)

“You Can’t Shake Me”, career profile video, True Calling, Vancouver, Canada, November 14, 2017 Link: You Can’t Shake Me | Lawyer – YouTube