Mariel Dimsey is an international commercial and investment arbitration specialist with extensive experience in providing international services. She has almost 20 years’ experience acting as advisor, advocate, and arbitrator in numerous international arbitrations, including litigation cases, covering a wide range of legal systems and industries. She is also the immediate past Secretary-General of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (“HKIAC”), a major institution in Asia. Prior to joining the HKIAC, Mariel was a Partner at CMS in the Hong Kong office, Co-Head of CMS International Arbitration, and a key lawyer in the firm's litigation and dispute resolution practice.
She has extensive expertise in both common law and civil law disputes, including disputes involving Chinese parties, and has full professional fluency in German. Mariel regularly sits as arbitrator, bringing her insights to cases under the HKIAC, ICC, KCAB, and DIS Rules, as well as in ad hoc disputes. She is on the arbitrator panels of several major institutions and chambers, reflecting her deep experience and expertise.
She is a past co-chair of the HK45 Committee, and a Member of the WILHK Advisory Board. Mariel is consistently ranked in both the regional and global editions of the leading legal directories, demonstrating the high regard in which she is held by clients and peers alike.
Mariel holds a Dr. iur. (summa cum laude) from the University of Basel, an LLM from the University of Cologne, and an LLB/BA (Business German) from the University of Queensland. She is admitted to practice law in Australia and Hong Kong, offering services that meet the highest international standards. Mariel now heads the CMS Hong Kong office, leading its finance and banking sectors, providing resolution strategies, and delivering key insights to clients across the region.