Having grown up in a common law country (Sri Lanka), studying law in London, England had always been a long-held dream. Studying in the jurisdiction that shaped many of the written and unwritten principles of the common law, and observing its evolution to accommodate arbitration, was particularly riveting.
With a background in Political Science and legal philosophy from the University of Toronto, my early understanding of the legal system was grounded in a traditional view of how the law operates, with litigation as the primary expression of the adversarial process. It was particularly striking for me to observe how those who have shaped the Canadian legal system increasingly engage with alternative dispute resolution and arbitration, with many senior judges transitioning into arbitral roles after leaving the bench. This exposure sparked my interest in how dispute resolution extends beyond the courtroom, leading me to explore how arbitration functions as a flexible and internationally responsive forum for resolving complex commercial disputes.