World Bank announces the appointment of new IFC Sanctions Board Member, Ms. Mahnaz Malik

Ms. Mahnaz Malik practices as an Arbitrator & Barrister from Twenty Essex Chambers in London

WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (SABAH): The World Bank has announced the appointment of new IFC Sanctions Board Member, Ms. Mahnaz Malik.

According to the statement issued by the World Bank, further to the April 2023 announcement, the Sanctions Board Secretariat is pleased to announce the appointment of the new IFC Sanctions Board Member, Ms. Mahnaz Malik.

Ms. Malik practices as an Arbitrator and Barrister from Twenty Essex Chambers in London. She has over 23 years of legal experience in cross-border trade and investment, including serving as an arbitrator in commercial and investment law matters, acting as counsel to investors, organizations and States and working as a consultant to international organizations. She is also a Governing Body Fellow and Trustee of Hughes Hall College, University of Cambridge, where she received her MA in Law. She has served as a member of the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators for over a decade, and previously was appointed as a member of the ICSID ad hoc Annulment Committee in two cases. She has also served as a member of the ICC Commissions on Arbitration and Anti-Corruption.

The World Bank Sanctions Board, composed of seven (7) external judges, is an independent administrative tribunal that serves as the final decision-maker in all contested cases of sanctionable misconduct occurring in development projects financed by the World Bank. With the support of a dedicated Secretariat, the Sanctions Board functions as the second tier of the World Bank Sanctions System and issues final decisions on appeals of determinations reached at the first tier.

The Secretariat would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for the outstanding contributions of the outgoing Sanctions Board Member, Cavinder Bull. Cavinder Bull served on the Sanctions Board since 2018 and has been a panel member on nine cases and subsequent Sanctions Board decisions. Cavinder Bull continues an active practice in complex litigation and international arbitration at Drew & Napier LLC, one of the largest law firms in Singapore, where he also serves as CEO.

Shortly prior to Cavinder Bull’s tenure expired with the Sanctions Board, he shared his views on the Sanctions Board’s work and contributions in a video (click here to view the video).

Lastly, we are happy to announce that the World Bank’s Executive Directors approved the extension of Mrs. Maria Vicien Milburn’s appointment as Sanctions Board Member and Chair for an additional year. Mrs. Vicien Milburn’s term will now end in May 2025.