International Arbitrator & Lawyer
A seasoned practitioner active in arbitration, mediation, adjudication, and other dispute resolution disciplines with a strong international-facing profile.
International Arbitration • Energy Law • Policy Leadership
Professor Salim Mahmud
PhD (Energy Law & Policy, Dundee), LL.M, MCIArb
Professor Dr. Salim Mahmud is a distinguished legal scholar, energy law expert, parliamentarian, and experienced international arbitrator with more than three decades of professional engagement across academia, regulation, public policy, banking and corporate sectors, and dispute resolution.
International Arbitrator & Lawyer (Practitioner)
Country
Bangladesh
ADR Disciplines
Arbitration, Mediation, Adjudication, Other Dispute Resolution
Current Role
Head of Chamber, The Legal Insights
Profile Highlights
A modern professional profile built on legal depth, regulatory leadership, and international credibility
Energy Law & Policy Scholar
Holds a PhD in Energy Law and Policy from the University of Dundee and brings deep expertise in regulatory governance, international investment law, and cross-border energy matters.
Public Service & Regulation
A distinguished track record spanning academia, parliamentary service, energy regulation, corporate governance, and national law and policy development in Bangladesh.
About
An accomplished voice in energy law, dispute resolution, and public policy
Professor Mahmud is one of the longest-serving energy regulators in South Asia, having served ten years in Bangladesh’s energy regulatory landscape. He also served as Member of Parliament for Constituency 260, Chandpur-1, in the Twelfth Parliament and contributed to parliamentary oversight and policy matters of national importance.
In academia, he served as Professor in the Department of Law at the University of Dhaka until his voluntary retirement in 2020. His teaching and research focused on energy law and policy, international arbitration, international investment law, and corporate and regulatory governance.
Core Expertise
Selected Achievements
Career markers that define the profile
More than three decades of engagement across academia, regulation, public policy, banking and corporate sectors, and dispute resolution.
One of the longest-serving energy regulators in South Asia, with ten years of service in Bangladesh’s energy regulatory landscape.
Conducted 48 arbitrations, including 22 as tribunal chair or sole arbitrator, with more than 13 years of practical arbitral experience.
Played a historic role in establishing a separate arbitration-based dispute settlement mechanism for Bangladesh’s energy sector under the BERC Act, 2003.
Contributed to drafting significant laws, rules, and regulations in Bangladesh’s energy sector.
Held independent director and audit leadership roles at The City Bank Ltd and United Commercial Bank Ltd.
Professional Journey
Leadership across academia, regulation, law, and national institutions
Head of Chamber, The Legal Insights
CurrentCurrently provides legal, regulatory, and arbitration advisory services from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Member of Parliament, Twelfth Parliament
2024Served as MP for Constituency 260, Chandpur-1, and took part in parliamentary committee work tied to power, energy, mineral resources, law, justice, and parliamentary affairs.
Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka
Until 2020Concluded a distinguished academic career after years of teaching and research in energy law, arbitration, investment law, and governance.
Chairman, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Tribunal
2016–2019Held the status of a Supreme Court Judge while leading adjudicatory functions and contributing to dispute settlement practice.
Member (Commissioner), BERC
2009–2016Served with the status of a High Court Division Judge and contributed significantly to Bangladesh’s energy regulatory framework.
Arbitration & ADR
Practical dispute resolution experience with sector-specific depth
An accredited arbitrator and Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb), Professor Mahmud has conducted 48 arbitrations, including 22 as tribunal chair or sole arbitrator. His work spans commercial and energy disputes, combining academic rigor with practical adjudicatory insight.
Law Reform & Governance
A record of contribution to regulatory development and institutional strengthening
He chaired the BERC Dispute Settlement Regulations Drafting Committee in 2013. Under his initiative, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Dispute Settlement Regulations were promulgated in 2014 and further strengthened through amendments in 2016.
International Advisory & Consulting
Lead Consultant for the Government of Bangladesh on the implementation of the India–Bangladesh 765 kV Katihar-Parbotipur-Bornagar Project (2023).
Co-Consultant for the Government of India on gas clauses in production sharing contracts (2006).
Consulting and advisory engagements involving AIEN/AIPN, World Bank, Shell International, Cairn Energy, and several international energy dispute settlement matters.
Member of the South Asian Inter-Governmental Task Force for promoting cross-border energy and power trade from 2014 to 2018.
Academic & Professional Identity
Academic Base
Former Professor, Department of Law, University of Dhaka.
Professional Membership
Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK).
International Bar Association
Member of the Arbitration Committee, Oil and Gas Law Committee, Power Law Committee, and Asia Pacific Regional Forum.
Publications
Author and co-author of national and international publications, including the AIEN/AIPN study on Cross Border Unitization and Joint Development Agreements.
Contact
Connect with Professor Salim Mahmud
Available for legal, regulatory, policy, and arbitration-related engagement with a strong focus on energy, governance, and cross-border dispute resolution.