Hon. Edward C. Chiasson

Senior Counsel

Vancouver
[email protected]
604.640.4091

Ed focuses his practice primarily in the area of international disputes. His expertise extends to all aspects of commercial disputes, including construction and shipping, while advising parties from diverse jurisdictions around the world. In addition to his practice, Ed is a member of the judiciary and sat on the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, and the Yukon Court of Appeal from September 2006 to December 2015. Ed is recognized as one of the pioneers of international arbitration in Canada, and was instrumental in building the foundations to the firm's Trade & Investor-State Dispute Settlement group before joining the judiciary.

He has previously sat as an arbitrator and acted as counsel in numerous high-profile cases, including investor-state matters under NAFTA and ICSID, as well as commercial disputes in ad hoc proceedings and under all major institutional rules.

Prior to his appointment to the bench, Ed earned an impressive reputation as one of Canada's leading litigators and as an internationally-renowned arbitrator. He has appeared in all of the courts of British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, the Federal Court trial and appellate divisions and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Ed is also a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He has been a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the roster of a number of institutions, including the American Arbitration Association.

Experience

  • Served on and chaired a number of NAFTA Chapter 19 bi-national panels and sat on NAFTA Chapter 11 and ICSID arbitrations
  • Appeared as counsel and acted as an arbitrator and mediator in international proceedings in Canada, France, England, United States, Hong Kong and Singapore involving parties from Eastern and Western Europe, North America, the Pacific Rim and India
  • Arbitrations were both ad hoc and institutional, including proceedings under UNCITRAL Rules, the American Arbitration Association, the International Chamber of Commerce, the British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
  • Mediations include acting under the Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Center for the Americas (CAMCA)
  • In practice, commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation, both domestic and international:
    • Maritime, tax, combines (antitrust), joint venture, franchising, consortium and licensing disputes, hi-tech and computer issues
    • Matters of intellectual property, general litigation, with particular emphasis in construction, engineering and other similar technical disputes
    • Advising on and acting as counsel with respect to environmental, waste management and native rights issues

Beyond our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member of the Panel of Arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association
  • Former Member, International Chamber of Commerce Commission on Arbitration
  • Former Chairman, Commercial Arbitration Committee of ICC, Canadian National Committee
  • Founding Trustee, British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre
  • Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers

Community Involvement

  • Member, Board of Directors, Chor Leoni Men's Choir
  • Member, Vancouver Branch, International Wine and Food Society
  • Member, Vancouver Chapter, Commanderie de Bordeaux
  • Member, Royal Vancouver Yacht Club
  • Past Chair, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™ (Corporate and Commercial Litigation)

Bar Admission & Education

  • British Columbia, 1967
  • Alberta, 1977
  • Yukon Territory, 1977
  • LLB, University of British Columbia, 1966
  • BA, Notre Dame College and University of British Columbia, 1963