Syed Akbar Hussain is a mediator, arbitrator and dispute resolution specialist who has spent his career building the practice and the institutions of ADR in Pakistan. He is the founder of The ADR Initiative LLP (ADRi), established in 2019 as Pakistan's first ADR platform, think tank and policy firm. ADRi has since become the pioneer of ADR in Pakistan, and in 2025 its mediation course was recognised by the International Mediation Institute (IMI) as a Certified Mediator Training Program. His work with ADRi led to his being shortlisted for the UK National Mediation Awards 2020.

As an arbitrator, Akbar is appointed by both private sector and government parties in disputes of substantial value. He was appointed to the Panel of Arbitrators of the Shanghai Arbitration Commission in 2022 and has sat as sole arbitrator for Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) arbitration aswell. He has also represented parties as counsel in SIAC proceedings, defended clients in international arbitration matters before the Lahore High Court under the New York Convention, and served as CEO of the International Arbitration Center Pakistan. His arbitration and expert determination work is concentrated in energy and commodities, power purchase agreements and construction.

He is an accredited mediator (CMC, IMI and SIMI). He has acted as expert mediator in power purchase agreement disputes in the hydroelectric and natural gas sectors, and his practice covers complex commercial disputes in energy, construction, finance and fintech, and international trade. Beyond the commercial, he served as consulting mediator on an interfaith harmony project for Equality Labs and the United States Institute of Peace, and as Advisor to the Federal Ombudsperson for the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace, where he heard and resolved more than 100 cases.

Akbar has played a central role in shaping Pakistan's ADR framework. He trained civil and district judges in ADR in collaboration with the Lahore High Court and the Punjab Judicial Academy for the establishment of the new commercial courts, drafted Pakistan's first Model ODR Rules, and, in partnership with The Asia Foundation, established the country's first roster of mediators and arbitrators. He served as team lead and architect of Pakistan's Trade Dispute Resolution regime under the USAID Investment Promotion Activity, working with the Ministry of Commerce. He has also served as Chairman of the ADR Committee of the Lahore High Court Bar Association and Resident Representative of ADR ODR International in Pakistan.

A committed trainer, he is a Master Trainer at The ADR Initiative, training mediators and arbitrators across Pakistan. He was Master Trainer and keynote speaker for the Forum of Pakistan Ombudsman and the Asian Ombudsman Association, and has lectured on ADR for the University of London LLB programme and at the Punjab Judicial Academy.

Akbar is an Advocate of the High Courts of Pakistan and the founder of SAZH Consulting LLP, where he advises investors and clients on foreign investment, trade and dispute resolution. He holds an LLM in Private Law from Koç University, Istanbul, and an LLB and Postgraduate Certificate in Commercial and Corporate Law from the University of London. He is co-author, with Senator S.M. Zafar, of Be a Competent Lawyer.

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