+44 (0)207 936 7070 
+44 (0)207 936 7070
Arbitrator
Nationality: Canadian
Languages: English
David Haigh KC is recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in the field of international arbitration. David has practiced as a commercial litigation counsel in the Canadian courts and as an advocate and arbitrator in the field of international commercial arbitration.
He has served as an arbitrator on numerous international commercial arbitration and investor-state panels. He has, in addition, acted as counsel on a wide variety of arbitration matters, including ad hoc, institutional, private, and investor-state disputes in the following sectors; Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Energy, Oil & Gas, Investment Treaty Disputes, Technology, Mining, & Telecommunications.
His many achievements are consistently recognized in global directories and awards. He has been honoured by the Chartered Institute with the “Distinguished Service in Canadian Arbitration Award”, one of the highest honours for Canadian arbitrators. It was presented to David in recognition of his exceptional contribution as a leading advocate and arbitrator in the field of international commercial arbitration, and his longstanding commitment to the advancement of the practice of arbitration in Canada.
He is a Chartered Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America and a member of the Trial Law Institute and Diversity Institute, as well as a Fellow and Chartered Arbitrator of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (FCIArb). David served as the national Chair of the Canadian ICC Committee for 6 years and as a Director of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) for 12 years. He was a Founding Member of the Western Canada Commercial Arbitration Society (WCCAS).
David has worked on corporate finance and complex commercial transactions; and numerous other contractual, and corporate/commercial disputes including such subject matters as coal, potash, and gold mining, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, intellectual property, and construction.
David has served as arbitrator in disputes relating to exploration, production, marketing, storage, pipelines, and pricing disputes.
David has represented both Claimants and states in various investor-state matters.
David was Called to the Bar of Alberta in 1965. He then took Silk in 1984 and has appeared several times in the Supreme Court of Canada.
David is a panelist member with numerous well-recognised international arbitration centers including conducting arbitrations in recent years among a large variety of nationals and state entities. He served as the national chairman of ICC Canada for six years and as a director of the American Arbitration Association for 12 years. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a founding member of the Western Canada Commercial Arbitration Society and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Panel memberships include:-
David is frequently referred to in publications as a leading practitioner in this field.
Chambers Global Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers for Business:-
“[he is] well respected in the international sphere” and is endorsed as “one of the pioneers of international arbitration”.
“He is a highly qualified and very diligent arbitrator.”
David has most recently been ranked in Who's Who Legal - Arbitration Thought Leaders 2025
To acquire availability, check conflicts and discuss appointments, please call +44 (0)207 936 7070 or email info@arbitra.co.uk
“He is a highly qualified and very diligent arbitrator.”
Chambers Global Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers for Business“[he is] well respected in the international sphere” and is endorsed as “one of the pioneers of international arbitration”.
Chambers Global Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers for Business