International Arbitration
- Acted for a consortium of European banks in US$80 million LCIA arbitration proceedings against an Eastern European borrower and guarantors, and a related freezing injunction
- Acted for a Middle Eastern investor in its US$200 million claim under the LCIA-India Rules seated in New Delhi against its joint venture partner in the food sector
- Acted for a leading US cash fund manager defending a US$120 million LCIA claim by a former client for alleged misinterpretation of mandate terms and mismanagement of funds
- Acted for an Indian investor on a potential bilateral investment treaty arbitration claim under the UNCITRAL Rules in connection with its investment into a European bank
- Acted for a large European insurance group on an US$80 million LCIA arbitration claim against its external fund manager for negligent management of policyholder funds
- Advising a litigation fund on the merits and risks of various investment treaty and commercial arbitration matters
Selected Cases
View full profile »Awards
- LSE Hughes Parry Prize – Law of Obligations (2001)
- CIMA Leverhulme Prize – Management Accounting Applications (1997)
News
- Donny Surtani becomes an approved DIAC Arbitrator
- Donny Surtani speaks on Decision Analysis in Fraud Disputes to International Academy of Financial Crime Litigators
Articles
Qualifications
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) professional examinations all stages (1997 – 1999)
- LLB (Hons), London School of Economics (2000 – 2003)
- LPC, BPP Law School (2003 – 2004)
- Solicitor, England & Wales (2006)
- Solicitor-Advocate, England & Wales (2008)
- Accredited Mediator, Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (2017)
Articles
- Developments in the law on bankers’ duties (with K. Kilgour) – Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law, 2018, 33(7)
- When should a prospectus’ jurisdiction provision bind a secondary purchaser of securities? (with N. Chapman) – Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law, 2016, 31(8)
- Where in the world? (with N. Chapman) – New Law Journal, 2016, 166
- Claims against directors under the Brussels Regulation (with A. Taggart and A. Pertoldi) – Employment Law Journal, 2015/16, 166
- Prospectus Liability: bracing for parallel claims in multiple jurisdictions – Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law, 2015, 30(5)
Memberships
- ICC Canada Arbitration committee
- Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre List of Arbitrators (2021)
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Recommendations
“Donny has a very crisp style in both his written and oral advocacy. He cuts to the core of the issues in dispute and presents them in a concise yet persuasive manner.”
Leading International Arbitration Silk
“He really excels in dealing with financial matters for which he has a natural aptitude far beyond the reach of most lawyers”
Leading International Arbitration Silk
“A first rate advocate with a modern, solutions-oriented outlook: clever, responsive and commercial in his approach.”
Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills
“An extremely bright and able lawyer: always in control even in the most difficult cases, Donny’s calm and measured approach always inspires confidence.”
Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills
“… an excellent junior … He is exceptionally bright and hard-working … He has the ability to take a case and analyse the issues clearly, succinctly and with insight and judgment. He is particularly strong on matters where his numeracy and analytical skills can be brought to bear. I would not hesitate to recommend him as junior counsel on a matter”
Partner, Stewarts
“Donny is that rare breed of advocate who can jump seamlessly between big picture strategy and key technical detail whilst always having an eye on damages/quantum and client objectives. Donny is also great to work with.”
Managing Partners, Global Litigation Funder
