Admitted to the New York and Paris Bars respectively in 2010 and 2018, Saadia Bhatty is a partner within Gide's Dispute Resolution practice group in London.

She has approaching 15 years' experience (including in Paris and New York) as counsel to private and state entities in cross-border disputes, in particular in international arbitration proceedings (commercial and investment), governed by the rules of various institutions (including ICC, ICSID, LCIA, PCA, SCC, HKIAC, VIAC, CAS and OHADA rules), as well as in ad hoc arbitrations (UNCITRAL), subject to the laws of both civil and common law jurisdictions. Fields of expertise include the energy, oil and gas, and construction sectors, particularly in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Saadia also advises governments in the drafting/reform of their investment treaties and national legislation.

Saadia sits as an arbitrator and is on a number of arbitral panels: the Energy Disputes Arbitration Center (EDAC), the Center for International Investment and Commercial Arbitration (CIICA), the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA), the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA) and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). She is also a member of ICC UK's International Arbitration UK Committee.

A graduate from Harvard Law School, the Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne University in Paris, and the Ecole Normale Supérieure, Saadia regularly writes articles, lectures in top universities, trains private practitioners and government officials, and speaks at conferences in international arbitration across the world. Recent speaking engagements include:

• March 2024: Paris Arbitration Week, Climate Change and the changing role of arbitration
• March 2024: Presenter at the African Union write-shop on the advisory proceedings before the International Court of Justice relating to the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change.
• December 2023: Roundtable discussion on the Draft IBA Guidelines on Party Representation in London

Saadia is consistently included in the leading legal directories and guides for her expertise in international dispute resolution. She is recognised:

• in Chambers Global for Dispute Resolution, Africa-wide;
• in Legal 500's Powerlist in International Arbitration – UK;
• in Legal 500 EMEA for International Arbitration in France;
• in Legal 500 UK for International Arbitration, as a “Next Generation Partner”;
• in Who’s Who Legal (WWL) as an Arbitration Future Leader;
• in Best Lawyers for International Arbitration; and
• in IFLR’s Expert Guides for Commercial Arbitration.

« London-based Saadia Bhatty joins the rankings in recognition of her increasing presence on high-value disputes in francophone Africa. She is well versed in both commercial and investment treaty arbitration, with experience representing sovereign states as well as private entities. Strengths : “Her analysis is thorough.”»
Chambers Global 2024 - Dispute Resolution - Africa-wide

« Saadia Bhatty is outstanding – her technical analysis, strategic thinking and advocacy skills are all excellent.»
Legal 500 UK 2024 - Dispute Resolution - International Arbitration

« Saadia Bhatty is a leading international arbitration practitioner and rising superstar – very smart, knows everything about international arbitration and everyone working in international arbitration, finds practical solutions for difficult problems, and speaks French, Urdu and English fluently.»
Legal 500 UK 2023 - Dispute Resolution - International Arbitration

« Saadia Bhatty is a brilliant lawyer- well versed in both civil law and common law, as well as a sharp and responsive person who is a true joy to work with.»
Legal 500 UK 2023 - Dispute Resolution - International Arbitration

« Saadia Bhatty’s breadth of experience in Africa and input are very valuable – great ability to articulate complex issues clearly, and she is always very well prepared and meticulous.»
Legal 500 UK 2023 - Dispute Resolution - International Arbitration

« Saadia Bhatty’s dedication and commitment are commendable.»
Legal 500 UK 2023 - Dispute Resolution - International Arbitration