International Arbitration

After ten years as a judge in Romania, I accept appointments as sole arbitrator/ co-arbitrator on the arbitral tribunal in commercial disputes, seated in Romania or abroad.

What a decade as a judge brings to a tribunal

Reasoned decisions written to survive review. Every judgment I signed could be appealed, and the reasons had to hold when a higher court opened the file looking for the flaw. An award is written to the same standard.

Evidence assessment. Three and a half years in criminal courts meant assessing witness credibility, contested documents and expert reports, under time pressure. This is the part of a hearing where tribunals most often struggle, and the part I know best.

Due process. Conducting hearings, deciding procedural applications, and giving each party an equal and full opportunity to present its case. Procedural fairness is the condition on which an award survives enforcement.

Judicial experience

Cluj County Court, Criminal Chamber (2025). First instance and appeals.
Cluj-Napoca District Court (2017–2025). Civil and commercial matters (2017–2020); Criminal matters (2020–2023).
Buftea District Court (2015–2017). Trainee judge, civil and commercial matters.

Subject matter

Commercial disputes, contractual liability and business law.

Education

Global Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), 2026–2027, in progress.
Decision Making, Yale School of Management Executive Education (2026).
National Institute of Magistracy, Bucharest (2013–2015).
LL.M. in Business Law, Nicolae Titulescu University (2013).
LL.B., University of Bucharest (2012).

Seat and languages

Proceedings seated in Romania or abroad, administered by an institution or conducted ad hoc, including under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. Working languages: Romanian and English.

Independence and disclosures

I hold no position in a law firm and do not act as counsel. I am the founder of Lunaawell SRL, a Romanian health consumer company. Any circumstance that could bear on independence or impartiality is disclosed before an appointment is accepted, following the IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration.

Appointments

To discuss an appointment or request a CV, write to office@sandrapiteiu.com.