Hilary Heilbron speaks regularly to international audiences about international arbitration and writes on the subject, most recently an article entitled “Managing the Unexpected in International Arbitration”, Arbitration International June 2023 and a chapter on “Assessing Damages in International Arbitration” in the current edition of “The Leading Arbitrators' Guide to International Arbitration”. She is also the author of “A Practical Guide to International Arbitration in London” 2008, Informa.

Past prestigious lectures include the keynote lecture at Fordham University School of Law, New York, the annual Clayton Utz lecture in Sydney, Australia, and the Annual Unidroit/University of Roma lecture.

She is also the author of the biography of her mother entitled “Rose QC, the Remarkable Story of Rose Heilbron, Trailblazer and Legal Icon”, Hart Publishing. Re-issued in paperback November 2019.

Qualifications

MA (Oxon)

Previous positions held

•        Deputy High Court Judge.

•        Member of the LCIA Court.

•        Member of the ICCA/IBA Joint Task Force on Data Protection in International Arbitration Proceedings.

•        Member of the ICCA-ASIL Task Force on Damages.

•        Member of the ICC UK Arbitration and ADR Committee.

•        Member of the Council of ACICA, Sydney, Australia.

•        Senior Vice-Chair of the IBA Rule of Law Forum.

•        Vice-Chair of the International Litigation Committee of the ABA section of International Law.

•        Chair of the City Disputes Panel (2006-07).

•        Vice-Chair IBA International Litigation Committee (2003-04).

•        Member of the CEDR Advisory Panel (1996 - 2002).

•        Member of the Civil Justice Council (1998 - 2002).

•        Member of the Bar Council (1991-99).

•        Chair of the International Practice Committee of the Bar Council.

•        Vice-Chair of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission (1998-2002).

•        Chair of the London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association (1991-93).

•        Chair of the independent working party into Civil Justice set up jointly by General Council of the Bar and the Law Society (1993).

•        Department of Trade and Industry Inspector into Blue Arrow plc (1989-91).

Current positions held

•        Member of the AAA-ICDR European Advisory Committee and the ICDR Working Group on Arbitration of Technology and Life Sciences Disputes.

•        Legal Practitioner in New South Wales, Australia. Member of the New South Wales Bar Association.

•        Bencher of Gray's Inn.

Hilary Heilbron KC has glowing recommendations as an international arbitrator in many of the most respected directories as set out below. Currently ranked in Band 1 UK Bar Arbitrators (Chambers & Partners 2025).

•        "Hilary is very diligent and makes thoughtful and valuable contributions."  (Legal 500 2025)

•        "Hilary is very careful, bright and turns documents around quickly." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

•        "She is very experienced, no-nonsense and drives cases forward extremely efficiently." (Chambers & Partners 2024)

•        "She is a first-rate arbitrator with vast experience of international arbitration. She is a superb lawyer and a very experienced arbitrator who keeps cases moving with diligence, skill and good humour. She is a hard-working and responsive arbitrator with exceptional legal skills and the sharpest of minds." (Legal 500 2024)

•        "Authoritative and efficient and makes an excellent chair." (Legal 500 2023)

•        "She is highly rated, very impressive and hugely independent-minded." "She is very well prepared and highly responsive. She is a top choice for difficult commercial arbitrations." (Chambers & Partners 2022)

•        "Hilary has a wealth of experience of arbitration and combines diligence, resourcefulness and a collegiate manner with the strength and skills to control the parties closely." (Legal 500 2022)

•        "She is remarkable, very hands-on, deals with things as they come and performs beautifully at a hearing."  (Chambers & Partners 2021)

•        "Widely considered to be a heavyweight in international arbitration." (Chambers & Partners 2021)

•        "Her rulings were well-written and thoroughly considered, and counsel were treated with utmost courtesy and professionalism." (Legal 500 2021)

•        Hilary Heilbron KC is “in the first rank” of arbitration specialists, laud peers who rate her breadth of sector-knowledge. (Who's Who Legal - UK Bar: Arbitration 2020)

•        "Widely considered to be a heavyweight in international arbitration who has expertise in cases concerning the energy, banking, telecommunications and pharmaceutical industries. She has been appointed under the rules of ICC, the LCIA, the LMAA and SIAC, and has considerable experience of acting as an ad hoc and emergency arbitrator. She also accepts appointments as sole arbitrator, party-appointed arbitrator and chair of the tribunal." "She is very hard-working and meticulous and creates a productive and collegial atmosphere. She is a commanding presence." (Chambers & Partners 2020)

•        "Handles matters with diligence and aplomb – she belongs in the A* list of arbitrators." (The Legal 500 2020)

•        Hilary Heilbron KC has a stellar reputation and is lauded for her fantastic ability on international transport, energy and joint venture disputes. (Who's Who Legal - UK Bar: Arbitration 2019)

•        "Easy to work with and diligent. She works hard on the case and has an affable manner." (Chambers & Partners 2019)

•        "Smart, hardworking, and decisive but collegial." (The Legal 500 2018-19)

•        "Popular both as arbitrator and counsel." (The Legal 500 2018-19)

•        Hilary Heilbron KC wins praise as “an amazing arbitrator” who is “very effective as chair” and is “always on top of things”. She is also recognised for her excellent counsel work in international proceedings. (Who's Who Legal - UK Bar: Arbitration 2018)

•        Widely considered to be a heavyweight in international arbitration who has expertise in cases concerning the energy, banking, telecommunications and pharmaceutical industries. She has been appointed under the rules of the ICC, AAA, ICDR and LCIA and has considerable experience of acting as an ad hoc and emergency arbitrator. She also accepts appointments as sole arbitrator, party-appointed arbitrator and chair of the tribunal."She has a great reputation as an arbitrator and she deserves it. She is smart, hard-working, decisive and collegial." (Chambers & Partners 2018)

•        "Diligent, focused and experienced in major matters." (The Legal 500 2017)

•        "A ubiquitous arbitration specialist." (The Legal 500 2017)

•        "Hilary Heilbron KC draws widespread admiration thanks to her “tireless work ethic” and “incredible eye for detail”. An accomplished counsel and arbitrator, Heilbron regularly appears in banking, telecoms, pharmaceutical and energy disputes." (Who's Who Legal - UK Bar: Arbitration 2017)

•        Hilary Heilbron KC is said to be “doing great things for the profession”. (Who's Who Legal - Arbitration 2017)

•        "An intelligent arbitrator and a steady hand on the tiller." Ranked Band 1 as Arbitrator. (Chambers & Partners UK 2017)

•        "Highly experienced both as counsel and as an arbitrator." (The Legal 500 2016)

•        “Hilary Heilbron KC at Brick Court Chambers is an 'absolutely fantastic arbitrator' whose experience includes ICC, LCIA and ICDR and ad hoc appointments. (Who's Who Legal Arbitration 2016)

•        “Hilary Heilbron KC is 'undoubtedly one of the best' barristers according to her peers. She acts for both domestic and international clients in substantial disputes.” (Who's Who Legal Litigation 2015)

•        "She remains analytically on top of legal issues. An expert in the procedure and in getting it organised" Ranked Band 1 as Arbitrator. (Chambers & Partners UK 2016)

•        "She is indefatigable, and despite a busy schedule is always ready for calls, meetings and deadlines." (The Legal 500 2015)

•        "A very active arbitrator who is a class act." (The Legal 500 2014)

•        "Hilary Heilbron KC of Brick Court Chambers impresses interviewees with her prowess as arbitrator on substantial commercial disputes, alongside her respected work as arbitration counsel." (Chambers & Partners Global, & Europe, 2014)

•        “Hilary Heilbron KC's ‘intelligence’ and ‘responsiveness’ mark her out as ‘one of the best KCs out there’.” (The Legal 500 2013)

A privacy notice for Hilary Heilbron KC referable to sitting as an Arbitrator can be found here.