The legal world is buzzing with the news that Senior Advocate and former Additional Solicitor General (ASG) of India, Dr. Pinky Anand, has been appointed as a judge of the newly established Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC). This momentous appointment is not just a personal achievement for one of India’s most distinguished jurists but also a powerful symbol of India’s growing stature in the global arena of international commercial law and dispute resolution.
The news, confirmed through Bahrain’s official gazette, places Dr. Anand on a prestigious international bench that is set to formally launch its operations on November 5, 2025. Her inclusion highlights the BICC’s commitment to assembling a diverse and highly experienced panel of judges drawn from various international jurisdictions, and it is a clear testament to the confidence reposed in Indian legal expertise.
A Trailblazing Career in Indian Law
Dr. Pinky Anand‘s journey to this global platform is built on a formidable career spanning over four decades at the forefront of the Indian legal system. Designated as a Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court of India, she has established herself as a leading legal mind, proficient in a wide spectrum of law, including constitutional law, civil arbitration, and criminal law.
The Role of Additional Solicitor General
The most prominent public chapter of her career was her tenure as an Additional Solicitor General of India from 2014 to 2020. This is a high constitutional law office, and she holds the distinction of being only the second woman to have been appointed to this prestigious post, following Indira Jaising. As one of the top law officers for the Union Government, Dr. Anand represented the state in a multitude of landmark cases before the Supreme Court, actively shaping jurisprudence on critical national issues. Her arguments have influenced outcomes in matters ranging from constitutional interpretations and corporate governance to high-stakes commercial arbitrations.
Her legal acumen is not confined to government briefs. Throughout her practice, she has been known for her sharp intellect, eloquent advocacy, and deep understanding of legal principles. She has appeared in several internationally significant cases, including the Bhopal Gas Tragedy litigation and has fought for causes ranging from the constitutional right of free speech to environmental protection.
Global Legal Engagement and Education
Dr. Anand’s international profile is robust. A Harvard Law School graduate and an Inlaks scholar, she has also served as a founding member of the BRICS Legal Forum, representing India in various international forums and conferences. Her extensive experience as an arbitrator across India, Dubai, Malaysia, and Singapore makes her an ideal fit for a role that demands a sophisticated understanding of complex cross-border commercial frameworks. She is also a recipient of the French National Order of Merit, further underscoring her international recognition.
The Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC)
The appointment is intrinsically linked to the establishment and strategic importance of the Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC). This court is not merely a new wing of the existing judicial system; it is a strategic initiative by the Kingdom of Bahrain to cement its position as a leading regional hub for finance, trade, and international dispute resolution.
A New Model for Transnational Justice
The BICC is modeled on the highly successful Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) and is a product of a formal treaty between Bahrain and Singapore signed in March 2024. This unique collaboration is hailed as an “unprecedented joint venture between two nations in the pursuit of transnational justice.”
The court is designed to operate primarily as an English-language, common law court, making it an accessible and predictable forum for international parties accustomed to common law principles. Its primary mandate is to adjudicate complex, cross-border commercial disputes and arbitration-related matters. The court’s jurisdiction is broad, covering sectors like banking, construction, insurance, distribution, and joint ventures, where at least one party or the subject matter has an international connection.
The BICC’s structure is significant: it will be presided over by renowned international arbitration expert Jan Paulsson, and the bench comprises 17 judges—a mix of Bahraini and international jurists—bringing a wealth of global experience and a diversity of perspectives. The inclusion of an Indian jurist of Dr. Anand’s caliber signals the court’s intent to deepen its expertise in handling disputes involving parties from South Asia, a region with burgeoning trade and investment ties to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Ensuring Efficiency and Reliability
The court is a core component of Bahrain’s ‘Team Bahrain’ initiative, aimed at enhancing private sector investment by providing a reliable and efficient forum for dispute resolution. A critical feature of the BICC is its mechanism for appeals. For English-language cases, parties have the right to appeal to the SICC’s international committee, further enhancing the court’s credibility by linking it to a well-established global legal standard.
Furthermore, Dr. Anand has confirmed that her appointment as a judge of the BICC will not require her to relocate from India, as cases will be handled both offline and online. This flexibility is characteristic of modern international dispute resolution bodies and allows her to continue her esteemed practice as a senior counsel in India, while contributing to international justice.
Strengthening Indo-Bahrain Legal and Commercial Ties
The appointment of Dr. Pinky Anand to the Pinky Anand Bahrain Court is much more than an individual honor; it is a diplomatic and professional milestone that is expected to significantly strengthen the legal and commercial ties between India and Bahrain.
Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, encapsulated this sentiment perfectly, noting that this recognition of an eminent Indian jurist on such a distinguished global forum is a testament to India’s growing stature in international arbitration and commercial dispute resolution. He added that the appointment reflects the confidence reposed in Indian legal expertise and will further strengthen cross-border judicial cooperation.
India has been actively promoting itself as a global hub for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and the inclusion of its top legal minds in international courts reinforces this narrative. Dr. Anand’s experience with foreign and Indian jurisdictions is expected to provide valuable impetus for fostering commercial resolution and harmony, particularly in disputes involving the significant commercial flow between the two nations.
Her presence on the BICC bench, which already includes former Indian Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul, provides a vital link between the common law traditions of India and the new international commercial framework being established in Bahrain. This shared expertise and experience will undoubtedly streamline the resolution of disputes involving Indian parties, making Bahrain an even more attractive destination for Indian businesses.
A Symbol for Women in Law
On a final note, Dr. Anand’s achievement serves as an immense source of inspiration for women in the legal profession, both in India and globally. Having been the second woman ASG, she continues to break glass ceilings, demonstrating that excellence, dedication, and a deep-seated commitment to justice know no geographical or gender boundaries. Her role on the BICC will ensure a diverse perspective on complex global commercial law, enriching the quality of transnational justice.
The launch of the BICC, with Dr. Pinky Anand on its international bench, marks a significant convergence of India’s legal prowess and Bahrain’s vision to be a global dispute resolution hub, promising an era of more efficient and sophisticated commercial justice for the global community.
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