Caroline Thomas FCIArb

Arbitration, Mediation
Problem SolvingBased in Hong Kong • Serving Global Jurisdictions

Caroline Thomas FCiarb is an international arbitrator and mediator based in Hong Kong.On the roll of solicitors in England & Wales, Ireland and Hong Kong, Caroline is also admitted in New York.Nationalities
Swiss 🇨🇭 / German 🇩🇪 / Luxembourg 🇱🇺Languages
• English, French, German, Spanish
• Basic: Italian and Mandarin

© Caroline Thomas. All rights reserved.

Experience

Experience of international commercial arbitration including of: shipping and trade, (re)insurance, energy, telecoms, tech, pharma and construction disputes.Experience mediating commercial disputes as well as employment and matrimonial law disputes.Professional Qualifications & Admissions
• Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)
• Admitted, State Bar of New York | 2022
• Admitted as Solicitor, High Court of Hong Kong SAR | 2010
• Admitted as Solicitor, England & Wales | 2008Education
• LL.M (Master of Laws) | Columbia University, New York | 2021 (Focus on arbitration) Parker School Recognition of Achievement, Harlan Fisk Stone Honours
• Diploma in Insurance | Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)
• Accreditation by HKIAC as a mediator (category general)
• MA Economics and History | Trinity College Dublin | 2003
• Diplôme du Programme International | Sciences Po Paris | 2001-2002
• Baccalaureate | European School of Luxembourg | 1999Board/ Committee Memberships
Board member (and past chair) of the Hong Kong Insurance Law Association Limited since 2012.
On the board of ARIAS Asia and the AIDA Presidential Council (co-head of AIDA’s dispute resolution working party).
Ciarb EAB Committee Member from 2023-2026.

Panels and Lists

Caroline Thomas FCiarb sits as arbitrator and is on many lists/ panels of arbitrators including:• AALCO – Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre
• AIAC – Asian International Arbitration Centre
• ARIAS Asia – AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society of Asia
• CMAC – China Maritime Arbitration Commission
• DIAC – Dubai International Arbitration Centre
• HKIAC – Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
• HKMAG – Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group
• ICC Switzerland – Swiss Commission of Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution
• JCAA – Japan Commercial Arbitration Association
• LAA – Luxembourg Arbitration Association
• LCIA – London Court of International Arbitration
• LMAA – London Maritime Arbitrators Association
• SIAC – Singapore International Arbitration Centre
• SCMA – Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration
• THAC – Thailand Arbitration Centre

Appointment

Conflict Checks and Disclosure
We conduct a conflict check as a first step in any appointment.In your initial communication, please therefore provide a full list of involved people/ companies and, if applicable, disclose any regulatory issues. Please also review your arbitrator's/ mediator's public professional history listed here and on LinkedIn and flag any potential conflicts.We are independent from law firms hence conflicts are less likely.Fees and Terms and Conditions of Appointment as Arbitrator
An arbitrator's terms of appointment depend on whether their appointment is institutional or ad hoc as well as on whether any rules of arbitration/ fee schedules have already been agreed by the parties.We have own terms & conditions which we propose when no rules apply and which apply if our arbitrators/ mediators are engaged.Where we have discretion to set fees, we try to ensure that they are proportionate to the quantum and complexity of a dispute. Feel free to share the approximate sum in dispute with us when approaching us with a potential appointment.Electronic Office
Unless otherwise advised, we are happy to receive electronic correspondence - no need to also send paper copies.

Short CV - Caroline Thomas

  • Arbitratio & Concilium Limited | Director (2020 – ongoing)

  • Association of Swiss Abroad | Deputy Delegate (2025 – ongoing)

  • The University of Hong Kong | Lecturer (Non Clinical) Faculty of Law (2025- ongoing)

  • Hauzen LLP (affiliated with DWF Law LLP and associated with Anjie Broad Law Firm LLP) | Partner (2024-2026)

  • Hugill & Ip | Counsel (2023-2024)

  • Insurance Authority of Hong Kong | Senior Manager Head of Legal & Policy Market Conduct (2018 – 2020)

  • Hill Dickinson, Hong Kong | Partner (2016 – 2018)

  • HFW | Senior Associate (2011 – 2016)

  • Clyde & Co London and Hong Kong | Associate / Trainee (2006 – 2011)

  • LCS & Partners, Taipei | Legal Assistant (2005)

  • Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, London | Litigation Assistant (2004)

  • Please email to request a longer form CV/ details of experience.

Recent Publications & Academic Work

  • Arbitration law in 2025: a review, Lloyd’s List Intelligence

  • Arbitration law in 2024: a review, Lloyd’s List Intelligence

  • Funding Arbitration, International Practices, trends and possible developments in Luxembourg, LAA, September 26, 2024.

  • Arbitration Law Review 2023, [https://www.i-law.com/ilaw/doc/view.htm?id=438047)

  • “Paying for Arbitration” talk given for The University of Hong Kong’s LLM Arbitration and Dispute Resolution series (2023).

  • “Reform of arbitration law: the Law Commission’s consultation on Enka”, (2023) Arbitration Law Monthly with K Duggal, and A Lee.

  • Furthermore, I teach maritime arbitration and mediation at the University of Hong Kong (https://course.law.hku.hk/llaw6328-jdoc6328/)