Tanzanian born Dr. Rukia Baruti is a qualified solicitor in England & Wales and an independent arbitrator.  She began working in commercial law firms in the City of London in 1997.  In 2006 she joined the international arbitration group SJ Berwin LLP (later merged with King & Wood Mallesons).  Since joining SJ Berwin LLP, she has focused on international arbitration.  She has two decades of experience in international arbitration and international law, spanning both the practice and training of these fields.

Dr. Baruti’s career has included experience in the roles of Counsel, Arbitrator, Secretary to the Tribunal, and counsel in arbitral institutions.  She has worked under all the principal international arbitration rules.  She is frequently appointed by international arbitration institutions, including the ICC and the LCIA, as a sole arbitrator or panel member.

Dr. Baruti is a thought-leader for diversity in arbitration and a champion for African participation in international arbitration.  This is reflected in her work at Africa International Legal Awareness (AILA) and the African Arbitration Association (AfAA).  She founded the former and co-founded the latter, both of which advocate and promote diversity and the participation of Africans in international arbitration.