ABOUT HAFEZ R VIRJEE
Non-legal pro bono roles omitted
NATIONALITY & LANGUAGES
Nationality: French
Languages: English, French
ARBITRATOR PANEL MEMBERSHIPS
Admitted to the:
- Panel of Arbitrators of the following arbitral institutions: AFSA, AIAC, BVI IAC, JCAA, KCAB, SIAC
- List of Arbitrators of the following arbitral institutions: DIAC, HKIAC
Also experienced as arbitrator and counsel under a number of other arbitration rules, particularly those of the ICC and LCIA.
DIRECTORIES & RANKINGS
Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal):
- Global Elite Thought Leaders - Arbitration (Under 45 - Partners): 2024
- Arbitration: since 2023, including among the most highly regarded in 2023 and 2025, and Highly Recommended in 2026
- France - Arbitration: since 2023
- Future Leaders - Arbitration: 2018-2022, including recognition among the most highly regarded in 2020 (Europe non-partners) and 2023 (EMEA partners)
According to Lexology, he has been described by peers as "highly responsive" (2023), "an extremely professional and well-prepared arbitrator" with "great cross-border knowledge and expertise" (2022), an "extraordinarily talented arbitrator" (2021) and "one of the most creative minds in today's arbitration community" (2020).
SELECTED LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Independent Arbitrator, Virjee Arbitration
January 2019–present | London, Paris
Senior Associate, Dechert (Paris) LLP
April 2010–December 2018 | Paris, with a five-month secondment to Dubai in 2015
Acted as counsel, arbitrator and tribunal secretary in international arbitrations involving private and listed companies, state entities and treaty organisations, in disputes spanning commercial, corporate and investment issues, in a wide range of sectors including telecoms, tech, pharmaceutical, construction, energy, finance, transport and military. Led various knowledge management initiatives.
Trainee Solicitor, Freshfields LLP
February 2008–February 2010 | London, with a six-month secondment to Paris in 2009-2010 | London: project finance, litigation, international arbitration, corporate; Paris: international arbitration
OTHER LEGAL EXPERIENCE
President and Co-Founder, Delos Dispute Resolution
January 2014–present | Paris
Delos Dispute Resolution is an independent, non-profit arbitration institution administering international commercial arbitrations worldwide under its own arbitration rules. Delos helps parties resolve disputes swiftly, efficiently, and fairly. Delos received the 2018 GAR Award for Innovation for its Rules of Arbitration, which were further nominated for the 2021 GAR Award for Innovation following the introduction of a ‘compliance reinforcement mechanism’ in November 2021.
Delos also develops widely used knowledge and training resources for the arbitration community. It publishes the leading Guide to Arbitration Places (GAP) (nominated for the 2019 GAR Award for Innovation) and maintains one of the most extensive video libraries on substantive issues in international arbitration. Since 2020, Delos has delivered advanced skills training in oral advocacy and cross-examination through its ‘ROAP’ programme (nominated for the 2021 GAR Award for Innovation), followed in 2023 by the ‘WAWA’ programme on written advocacy and writing awards, and the launch of a MOOC on damages and valuation issues in international arbitration. Finally, 2024 saw the opening of the Paris Arbitration Centre by Delos, the largest hearing centre in continental Europe.
Member, His Highness Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili National Conciliation and Arbitration Board for France
July 2012–July 2015 | Paris | Voluntary work for a three-year term
Legal Consultant, University of Central Asia
July 2011–January 2012 | Remote | Provided public international law advice on the question of the role of non-State actors in international law
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
Admitted to practise as:
- Avocat à la cour at the Paris Bar (February 2019 ; non-practising since April 2019)
- Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales (March 2010)
Other qualifications:
- Mediator Skills Training (two-day residential course), His Highness Prince Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Mediation Training Programme (November 2014)
Education:
- University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall) – LL.M.
2006-2007 | Overall achievement: High Honours | Scholarship Award: Hollond Travelling Studentship in Law - Oxford Institute of Legal Practice – Postgraduate Dipl. in Legal Practice (L.P.C.)
2005-2006 | Commendation - University of Cambridge, Trinity College – B.A. in Law (M.A. 2008)
Université Paris – Panthéon-Assas – Maîtrise en droits français et anglais
2001-2005 | Scholarship Award from Clifford Chance LLP - Lycée Louis le Grand, Paris – Classe préparatoire Economique et Commerciale, voie scientifique
2000-2001