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Cyrus Siassi

Cyrus Siassi is a dual-qualified lawyer, admitted to practice in both England & Wales, as Solicitor of the Senior Courts and Swiss Attorney-at-Law. He is also a certified Arbitrator and Mediator (Commercial, Commodities and Maritime). His work draws on three decades of experience in international commercial law, combining advisory, transactional, regulatory, and dispute resolution expertise across multiple jurisdictions.

Before establishing his practice, Cyrus held senior legal and compliance positions at Republic National Bank of New York (HSBC Republic), BNP Paribas (Suisse), and ING Belgium. This background gives him a distinctive perspective on risk and regulation, allowing him to advise clients with the insight of someone who has worked within major financial institutions. He understands how decisions are made in complex corporate environments and helps clients navigate legal issues with commercial precision and strategic foresight.

Over the years, Cyrus has built extensive specific experience in commercial banking, commodities and maritime sectors, advising banks, traders, shipowners, energy, insurance and inspection companies on contractual performance, risk allocation, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions. His work covers the full spectrum of the trade cycle – from negotiation and structuring of purchase, sale and carriage contracts to disputes arising out of delivery, quality, demurrage, or sanctions-related issues. He frequently acts as counsel, arbitrator, or mediator in high-value proceedings under the ICC, LCIA, Swiss Arbitration Centre, GAFTA, FOSFA and LMAA rules.

Cyrus is also recognised by Global Law Experts as an authority on oil and gas law in Switzerland. He regularly lectures and speaks at professional and academic forums on international commodities and shipping transactions and international Sanctions and Embargoes, reflecting his active engagement with the industry beyond legal practice, and his commitment to sharing practical insights with the next generation of professionals.

Qualifications and Certifications

  • Swiss qualified lawyer, admitted to the Geneva Bar, Switzerland

  • Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales, member of the Law Society of England & Wales, registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority – Higher Rights of Audience

  • Lloyds Maritime Institute – Certified in Maritime Law & Shipping Contracts

  • Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) – Certified in Gafta Trade Foundation Course, Contract Terms and Approved Registers, Commodity Shipping, Commodity Dispute Resolution

  • Arbitration Practitioner – Swiss Arbitration Academy

  • Diploma in International Maritime Arbitration – Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIARB)

  • Global Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration (CIARB – Oxford)

  • Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIARB) – Accredited Mediator

  • Civil-Commercial Mediation – Accredited International Civil/Commercial Med

Relevant Cases

  • ICC Arbitration (seat: Denmark; applicable law: Danish Law) – dispute arising out of an Agency Agreement involving an alleged contractual breach linked to US sanctions. Parties: Spanish claimant vs. Danish respondent.

  • Ad Hoc Arbitration (seat: Geneva; applicable law: Swiss Law) – dispute under an Agreement for the delivery of industrial equipment, including dismantling and transport services. Alleged breach of non-delivery of goods. Parties: Canadian claimant vs. Philippine respondent.

  • GAFTA Arbitration (seat: London; applicable law: English law) – dispute under a sale contract for yellow peas of Russian origin, concerning the impossibility of completing customs clearance formalities. Parties: Swiss claimant vs. Swiss respondent.

  • GAFTA Arbitration (seat: London; applicable law: English law) – dispute under a sale contract for yellow peas of Russian origin, relating to delayed payment and failure to register the cargo, rejection and delay at the Indian port. Parties: Swiss claimant vs. Swiss respondent.

  • LMAA Arbitration (seat: London; applicable law: English law) – dispute under a ULSD sale contract involving cargo contamination, cleaning of the vessel, demurrage and related issues. Parties: Swiss claimant vs. Swiss respondent.

  • LCIA Arbitration (seat: London; applicable law: English law) – dispute under an agreement for the sale and purchase of crude oil and petroleum products, concerning vessel nomination and alleged repudiation/breach of contract. Parties: Swiss claimant vs. English respondent.

  • Swiss Arbitration Centre (seat: Geneva; applicable law: Swiss law) – dispute under a contract for the sale of liquid gas and crude oil, arising from border closures in Russia and failure of payment. Parties: Swiss claimant vs. Ukrainian respondent

Associations