A former magic circle solicitor-advocate is to join barristers’ set 20 Essex Street as an arbitrator.

Judith Gill QC will join the set on 1 May and will be based in Singapore.

Gill, an A&O lawyer for more than 30 years, will be based in 20 Essex Street’s Singapore office in Maxwell Chambers. She will join arbitrator Michael Lee and international arbitration counsel and arbitrators Nakul Dewan and Simon Milnes.

Gill, admitted to the roll in 1985, was only the second female solicitor-advocate to be appointed QC and the first with an international arbitration practice.

Duncan Matthews QC, co-Head of 20 Essex Street said: ‘We extend to Judith our warmest welcome to 20 Essex Street. She is a true luminary in the field of international arbitration whose calibre and expertise are a natural fit with the experience of the set’s existing profile of arbitrators.’

Gill added: ‘A&O has given me a level of encouragement, support and opportunity beyond all my expectations. I have had the privilege of working with immensely talented and dedicated individuals there at every level for more than three decades and I will miss them greatly. These are exciting times for arbitration in Singapore and I thoroughly enjoy living and working here. It will continue to be my home base for the foreseeable future.’

Gill is president of the London Court of International Arbitration – the first woman to hold that role.