Aashna Agarwal
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Aashna Agarwal

Associate

Aashna advises on high-value investment treaty and commercial arbitrations as well as on arbitration-related court proceedings and settlement negotiations.

Aashna has acted for a diverse array of corporate clients and States or State-owned entities in arbitration proceedings under various arbitral rules, both institutional and ad hoc. Her practice is distinctly multi-jurisdictional, encompassing the UK, EU, APAC, and the Middle East. Her secondments with the firm's international arbitration teams in Paris and Singapore have supported her global practice.

Her expertise spans a wide range of industries and sectors, with a particular emphasis on energy-related disputes. Aashna also has experience in litigation before the English courts in support of arbitral proceedings. Aashna also has considerable experience as a tribunal secretary. 

Beyond her professional commitments, Aashna is passionate about pro bono work and actively engages in projects that promote inclusivity and social justice.

Expertise

Experience

Pro bono

  • Co-lead of School Exclusions Clinic in association with Coram Children’s Centre.
  • Represented survivors of sexual and gender-based violence before the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
  • Judging the annual A&O Shearman and National Law University, Jodhpur, International Deal Negotiation Competition.

Published Work

  • Ethical issues for counsel in international arbitration, PLC UK, (co-authored with James Freeman).
  • Oil & gas: case law review, price review clauses, PLC UK, (co-authored with James Freeman).
  • Supreme Court Resolves a Long-Running Debate over the Enforceability of Arbitration Agreements Contained in Unstamped Contracts, ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin, 2024 (co-authored with Arun Mal and Sheila Ahuja).
  • SICC rejects India’s attempt to resist enforcement of BIT award (Deutsche Telekom v India), Lexis Nexis, 2023 (co-authored with Arun Mal and Sheila Ahuja).
  • Clashing Jurisprudence: the Kabab-Ji Saga and the Governing Law of Arbitration Agreements, Young ITA Newsletter, 2022 (co-authored with Godwin Tan).

Speaking Engagements

  • Foundation for International Arbitration Advocacy Workshop, 2024.
  • CIArb and FTI, 2023: Debated against the motion that “at least one member of three-member arbitral tribunals should be a non-lawyer with experience in the subject matter of the dispute”.
  • Young ITA, 2023: Presentation on “To reform, or not to reform? The Law Commission’s review of the Arbitration Act”.
  • National Law University, Jodhpur, 2023, 2024, 2025: Delivered training on “Practical tips for Cross-border transactions”.

Qualifications

Admissions

Solicitor, England & Wales, 2021

Bar Council of India, 2019

Academic

BBA/LLB (Hons), National Law University, Jodhpur, 2019

Late Nanibala Mitra Gold Medal for Best Lady Student 2019

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.