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Arbitrator Services

Marina Akchurina sits as an independent arbitrator in commercial disputes

She draws on 13 years at Cleary Gottlieb, where she represented clients in complex arbitrations across multiple industries, as well as her experience serving as an arbitrator. She brings both counsel and arbitrator perspectives to her neutral practice.

Marina is admitted to practice law in Ontario, New York, and Russia. She is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb). She conducts proceedings in English and Russian, working across both common law and civil law systems. Based in Toronto, Marina accepts appointments worldwide and handles disputes involving parties from different legal and cultural traditions.

Industry Experience

Marina has developed specialized knowledge in:

  1. Energy and Natural Resources
  2. Infrastructure and Construction
  3. Technology and Innovation
  4. International Commercial Agreements
  5. Disputes Involving State Entities and Regulatory Issues

Arbitrator Appointments

Marina accepts appointments as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator, and chair in commercial arbitration matters spanning multiple sectors. Her arbitrator experience includes:

Commercial Contract Disputes

  1. Co-arbitrator in a dispute over contractual penalties arising from an international cargo transportation agreement
  2. Sole arbitrator resolving claims for penalty interest and contract termination in a goods supply matter
  3. Sole arbitrator in two related cases addressing penalty interest under contractor agreements
  4. Sole arbitrator in a matter involving principal debt recovery and penalty interest under a service contract
  5. Sole arbitrator deciding claims for unjust enrichment recovery

Construction, Infrastructure & Technology Matters

  1. Chair of the tribunal in a dispute concerning debt recovery and penalty interest under a research and development agreement
  2. Co-arbitrator in a case involving penalty interest claims resulting from delayed construction and installation works

Arbitration Panels & Lists

Marina is included into the following arbitrator panels and lists:

  1. Tashkent International Arbitration Center (Main Panel)
  2. Russian Arbitration Center (Recommended List of Arbitrators)

Approach to Arbitration

Marina’s arbitration practice rests on three core principles:

Efficiency with Fairness

  1. Upholds rigorous procedural standards without falling into excessive formalism
  2. Applies streamlined case management strategies that control costs while preserving quality
  3. Balances equal party treatment with steady progress toward resolution

Business-Minded Decision-Making

  1. Renders awards that reflect commercial realities and industry context
  2. Prioritizes workable, enforceable solutions
  3. Integrates legal rigor with practical business considerations

Multicultural Competence

  1. Draws on extensive knowledge of business environments across North America, Europe, and CIS
  2. Handles cross-cultural complexities with skill and sensitivity
  3. Facilitates clear communication among parties from varying legal and business traditions

Procedural Approach

Marina conducts arbitrations with emphasis on clarity, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness::

Initial Phase

  1. Available for pre-appointment discussions consistent with ethical standards
  2. Delivers thorough independence and conflict disclosures following IBA Guidelines On Conflicts of Interest
  3. Sets clear procedural expectations from the start

Document Submissions

  1. Prefers memorial-style written submissions but remains open to preferences of the parties
  2. Follows IBA Rules of Evidence as standard practice
  3. Ready to consider the Prague Rules on Evidence when parties seek a more efficient approach to evidence

Hearing Conduct

  1. Tailors hearing format to suit the specific needs of each case
  2. Encourages technological tools to improve clarity of presentations
  3. Manages hearing time effectively without sacrificing procedural integrity