The London Court of International Arbitration has appointed Maxi Scherer as its new president, succeeding Paula Hodges KC after six years in the role.

Scherer’s appointment, which will take effect from May, follows her four-year tenure as vice president. She is the third woman in succession to hold the role, following in the footsteps of Hodges and Judith Gill KC.

Hodges welcomed Scherer’s appointment, saying: “Maxi is a truly international and dynamic arbitration practitioner. Her civil and common law expertise, linguistic skills and creative thought leadership will make her a formidable LCIA president.”

Scherer founded her own arbitration boutique – ArbBoutique – in 2024, having previously been of counsel at Wilmer Hale for many years. She is well-known for her work as a professor in arbitration and energy law at Queen Mary University of London. The dual-qualified arbitrator is admitted in London as a solicitor and to the Paris bar.

Scherer stressed the global nature of the LCIA, which she aims to expand, placing a renewed emphasis on agility, accessibility and innovation, particularly on “evolving needs and opportunities arising from modern technologies”, such as AI. 

Scherer paid tribute to her predecessor, saying: “Paula’s tenure as LCIA president has been outstanding and her shoes are impossible to fill. As vice president, I had the privilege and pleasure to work with, and learn from, her in the past years and this continuity of case management experience positions me well to keep the trust of the LCIA’s users.”

Hodges became an independent arbitrator in 2024 after retiring as head of international arbitration at Herbert Smith Freehills. She served as LCIA president for two terms, during which the court administered cases involving parties from 161 jurisdictions, across 70 seats of arbitration and governed by 99 substantive laws.

In 2023, 96% of the LCIA’s cases were international, with 79% not involving UK-based parties. The LCIA’s Costs and Duration Analysis 2024 highlighted its institutional efficiency and cost-effectiveness in managing international cases.

During her tenure, Hodges worked closely with previous director-general, Jackie van Haersolte-van Hof, who recently joined Fountain Court Chambers, past chair Audley Sheppard KC and deputy director-general Jamie Harrison, maintaining an active presence at London International Disputes Week and LCIA events.

One Essex Court’s Christopher Style KC, chairman of the LCIA board, praised Hodges’ presidency and endorsed Scherer, while deputy chairman James Castello of Arbitration Chambers emphasised Scherer’s experience and procedural awareness.

Kevin Nash, recently appointed as director general of the LCIA, said: “Maxi is a global leader who will immediately enhance the LCIA’s international focus and reputation for being at the leading edge of innovation in arbitration. We are very confident that she will be able to build on Paula’s legacy.”