Arbitrator Profile

Marina Akchurina is an international and domestic arbitrator with 13 years of experience at Cleary Gottlieb, where she represented clients in commercial and investment disputes across various industries and institutional frameworks. In her independent practice, she has served as an arbitrator in both domestic and international matters.

Marina is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and qualified to practice law in three jurisdictions: Ontario, New York, and Russia. Fluent in both English and Russian, she works across common law and civil law systems. Based in Canada, she handles cross-border disputes involving parties from different legal traditions.

Appointments as Arbitrator

Marina serves as sole arbitrator, presiding arbitrator, and party-appointed arbitrator across a diverse spectrum of commercial matters. Her appointments demonstrate particular strength in:

Technology & Innovation

1. Presided over complex R&D contract disputes involving penalty interest claims
2. Managed proceedings requiring deep understanding of technical specifications and innovation cycles
3. Demonstrated ability to grasp and resolve technology-driven commercial conflicts

Infrastructure & Construction

1. Arbitrated sophisticated construction contract disputes
2. Resolved complex penalty interest claims requiring detailed analysis of project timelines and performance metrics

Commercial & Supply Chain

Successfully resolved multiple disputes involving:

1. Contract termination and enforcement in supply agreements
2. Principal debt recovery and penalty interest in service contracts
3. Unjust enrichment claims requiring sophisticated commercial analysis
4. Contractor agreement disputes demanding careful balance of competing interests

Arbitration Philosophy

Marina’s approach to arbitration is built on three fundamental pillars:

Procedural Excellence

1. Maintains unwavering commitment to procedural fairness while avoiding “due process paranoia”
2. Implements efficient case management techniques that reduce costs without compromising quality
3. Ensures equal treatment of parties while maintaining forward momentum in proceedings

Commercial Pragmatism

1. Delivers decisions that account for business realities and commercial context
2. Focuses on practical, enforceable outcomes
3. Maintains careful balance between legal precision and commercial workability

Cross-Cultural Fluency

1. Leverages deep understanding of business practices across North America, Europe, and Eurasia
2. Navigates complex cross-cultural dynamics with natural ease
3. Ensures effective communication across different legal traditions and business cultures

Procedural Preferences

Marina’s procedural approach emphasizes transparency, efficiency, and flexibility:

Pre-Arbitration

1. Welcomes pre-appointment interviews within appropriate ethical boundaries
2. Provides comprehensive conflict disclosures aligned with IBA Guidelines
3. Ensures early clarity on procedural expectations and timeline

Written Submissions

1. Primarily follows memorial-style written submissions while remaining flexible to party preferences
2. Adheres to IBA Rules on Evidence as the default framework
3. Open to applying the Prague Rules when parties prefer a more streamlined approach

Hearings Management

1. Provides flexible hearing structures adapted to case requirements
2. Welcomes use of technology to enhance presentation clarity
3. Ensures efficient time management while maintaining procedural fairness

Sector Expertise

Marina brings particular depth in:

1. Energy and Natural Resources
2. Infrastructure and Construction
3. Technology and Innovation
4. Cross-Border Commercial Contracts
5. State Entity and Regulatory Matters

For arbitrator appointments:

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