Westwater Advocates’ Calum MacNeill QC qualifies as CIArb Fellow

Westwater Advocates’ Calum MacNeill QC has qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), the leading professional membership organisation representing the interests of private dispute-resolution practitioners worldwide.

Mr MacNeill, who called to the bar in 1992 and took silk in 2007, undertook a stand-alone module in International Commercial Arbitration at the University of Dundee, a module on the law and practice of international commercial arbitration, a module in internationally enforceable award-writing and a peer interview by a panel of experienced Fellows. The latter steps were undertaken at CIArb’s offices in Bloomsbury Square, London.

Mr MacNeill, who now belongs to CIARb’s most senior membership group, said: “Arbitration can never replace traditional litigation, but in a legal environment in which commercial undertakings are looking for high-quality, confidential and final decision-making, arbitration is going to increase in importance in the coming years.

“By becoming a Fellow of the largest arbitration body in the world, my hope is that I can play a part in ensuring that arbitration is recognised as a process with integrity, a fair and cost-effective means of dispute resolution.

“The Faculty of Advocates is doing fantastic work in this field, including the introduction of personal injuries arbitration, and I pay tribute to the Vice-Dean, Angela Grahame, for everything she has done to promote what the Faculty can contribute in this field.”

Westwater Advocates principal clerk Sheila Westwater added: “Never one to rest on his laurels, Calum continues to scale new heights. He is always keen to embrace new opportunities and to develop his practice in accordance with market demands. He has just celebrated 25 years at the Bar and we are delighted that he continues to be such a luminary not just in our stable but also in the Faculty as a whole.