THE AUTHOR<\/strong>: Paris Baby Arbitration (“PBA”)<\/a> is building a strong community of future arbitration professionals linked to Paris and beyond. Partnering with\u00a0Daily Jus<\/a>, PBA shares sharp, bilingual analyses and fresh perspectives on the developments shaping the arbitration field, making it more accessible to students and young practitioners worldwide.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 10 April, during Paris Arbitration Week, Jus Mundi hosted a symposium at Le Meurice Hotel. From 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, the event explored the evolution, challenges, and accomplishments of international arbitral institutions, drawing on insights from leading experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The symposium focused on the diverse and evolving roles of international and regional arbitral institutions. Its objectives were twofold. First, to deepen the institutional perspective of international arbitration, and second, to offer an opportunity for the attendees to strengthen their connections within the arbitration community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To start with, Jus Mundi<\/a> is an innovative legal tech company that democratizes access to international arbitration knowledge through Artificial Intelligence (\u201cAI<\/strong>\u201d). It offers legal professionals\u2019 data-driven tools that enhance productivity, research, and global arbitration accessibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The event opened with a keynote presentation by Mr Jean-R\u00e9my de Maistre<\/strong>, Co-founder and CEO of Jus Mundi. He reaffirmed the company\u2019s mission of promoting international law and global justice through innovation and transparency and highlighted Jus Mundi\u2019s latest initiatives, including AI-generated award summaries, new transparency tools, and the launch of the AAA-ICDR Library, an online dispute resolution journal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The three sessions featured a varied panel with distinct moderators. The first session, moderated by Mrs Bianca Longo<\/strong> Campos<\/strong><\/a>, Managing Director of Brazil at Jus Mundi, focused on key developments in institutional arbitration. Panelists included Mr Rodrigo Garcia Da Fonseca<\/strong><\/a> (Counsel, <\/em>CAM-CCBC (Center for Arbitration and Mediation of the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>, Mrs Madeleine Th\u00f6rn<\/strong> (Deputy Secretary General and Head of Operations, <\/em>SCC (SCC Arbitration Institute)<\/em><\/a>, Mrs Niamh Leinwather<\/strong><\/a> (Secretary General, <\/em>VIAC (Vienna International Arbitration Centre)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>, Mrs Patricia Vera Nieto<\/strong><\/a> (Director of the <\/em>AMCHAM (Arbitration and Mediation Centre of the Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>, and Mr Luis Martinez<\/strong> (Vice-President, <\/em>ICDR (American Arbitration Association – International Centre for Dispute Resolution)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second session, moderated by Mr Alexandre Vagenheim<\/strong><\/a>, Vice-President of Global Legal Data at Jus Mundi, focused on transatlantic perspectives in the Americas and Europe. The panelists included Mr Alexander Fessas<\/strong><\/a> (Secretary General, <\/em>ICC (International Chamber of Commerce)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>, Mrs Joanne Lau<\/strong><\/a> (Secretary General, <\/em>HKIAC (Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>, Mr Kevin Nash<\/strong><\/a> (Director General, <\/em>LCIA (London Court of International Arbitration)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>, Mr Vivek Neelakantan<\/strong><\/a> (Registrar, <\/em>SIAC (Singapore International Arbitration Centre)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>, and Mr Robert Stephen<\/strong> (Registrar, <\/em>DIAC (Dubai International Arbitration Centre)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lastly, the third session, moderated by Mrs Victoria Krapivina<\/strong>, Director of Global Partnerships at Jus Mundi, explored the evolving role of arbitration centers. The panelists included Mr Christian P. Alberti<\/strong> (Chief of ADR and General Counsel, <\/em>SCCA (Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>, Mrs Nakasamba Banda<\/strong> (Secretary General, <\/em>LIAC (Lusaka International Arbitration Centre)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>, Mrs Diana Bowman<\/strong><\/a> (Secretary General, <\/em>ACICA (Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>, Mr Henry Murigi<\/strong><\/a> (Registrar and CEO, <\/em>NCIA (Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>, and Mrs Emmanuelle Pui-Ki Ta<\/strong> (Secretary General, <\/em>KCAB (Korean Commercial Arbitration Board)<\/em><\/a>)<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first session explored recent developments in institutional arbitration, covering procedural innovations and emerging challenges. It focused on how arbitral institutions adapt to evolving dispute resolution needs while upholding core principles like efficiency, integrity, and global accessibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mrs Longo started the session by asking the panelists how arbitral institutions deal with political sanctions and economic changes. Mrs Leinwather responded first, highlighting the importance of transparency and fairness in handling political sanctions, ensuring impartial arbitrator selection, and disclosing payment processes. Then the floor was yielded to Madeleine Th\u00f6rn, who underlined three main challenges for the future of arbitration that the SCC was facing. The first one concerned the integration of AI and technology in arbitration proceedings. The second one related to Diversity and Inclusion, particularly the representation of women within the Center and the need to create neutral venues to ensure broader access to arbitration, including participation of individuals from different nationalities, and the third one focused on sustainability. She highlighted how green arbitration was being implemented at different stages of the proceedings. For example, through digital case management, the mandatory use of the SCC online platform, the updated request for arbitration forms introduced in 2024, and the ongoing need to adopt stronger ecological practices for the future of arbitration. Afterwards, Mr Martinez, discussed how AI and technology mitigate the impact of sanctions, citing examples from Ecuador and Mexico, where institutions collaborate to streamline arbitration processes. Then, the panel addressed Latin America\u2019s arbitration landscape; in this matter, Mr Da Fonseca highlighted Brazil\u2019s growing role as a mediation-friendly jurisdiction, while Mrs Vera Nieto addressed regional economic challenges, including rising investment arbitration claims, according to the Transnational Institute report, and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks. Regarding the use of technology and sustainability in arbitration, panelists agreed on the adoption of AI, including virtual hearings and digitalised cases, as well as the importance of collaborating efficiently with high-tech companies. Lastly, they emphasised the urgency of integrating green arbitration initiatives, diversity policies, and the need to balance confidentiality and transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second session focused on the evolving arbitration landscape in the Americas and Europe, considering geopolitical shifts and regulatory changes. The discussion emphasised institutional innovations, enforcement strategies, and emerging trends in cross-border dispute resolution. Moderator Mr Vagenheim opened by asking the panelists about legitimacy issues, particularly concerning opportunities to challenge arbitrators during arbitration proceedings. The panelists underscored the importance of arbitrators proactively disclosing potential conflicts of interest and the challenge of balancing transparency with confidentiality. Mr Nash highlighted that the LCIA\u2019s practice of publishing decisions on challenges has increased accessibility and trust in arbitration. Mr Fessas, however, stressed the need for arbitrators to explain their reasoning to the parties, while still safeguarding confidentiality. A key point raised was the importance of providing clarity to parties as to why claims fail, which strengthens the credibility of both the arbitrator and the arbitration process. In this regard, Mr Neelakantan emphasised the need for inter-institutional coordination, advocating for consistent methodologies and collective tracking to improve transparency and efficiency in the arbitration process. Panelists underlined the importance of reaching a common understanding among institutions through shared criteria, language, and statistical bases for arbitrator appointments. They also highlighted the role of Jus Mundi in comparing institutional practices, thereby helping to reconcile the need for transparency with the principle of confidentiality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the session, Mr de Maistre officially signed a series of new partnerships with several major arbitration institutions, bringing Jus Mundi\u2019s network to over 100 partners. These include a partnership with the HKIAC to provide free access to case digests, with the ACICA to promote the global exchange of arbitration knowledge, and with the AIFC Court to make non-confidential arbitration awards and court judgments publicly accessible worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The third session focused on how arbitration institutions adapt to global challenges, enhance their regional influence, and shape the international dispute resolution landscape. The moderator opened with a question on innovative practices and regional insights from each centre. Mrs Banda spoke first. She explained that building an arbitration centre goes hand in hand with building the practice of arbitration itself. She started by indicating that: \u201c[i]n a landscape where international arbitration is becoming increasingly saturated, it is difficult to create a unique identity, whether locally or internationally\u201d.<\/em> However, she outlined key strategies, like adaptability, contextualisation of problems and solutions, learning from past experiences, leveraging regional jurisdictions, and demonstrating that emerging centres are capable and relevant. This is achieved through visibility, promoting the centre\u2019s work, and building strategic partnerships, such as with Jus Mundi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, Mrs Pui-Ki Ta took the floor and emphasised KCAB\u2019s independence and longstanding presence as Korea\u2019s sole arbitration institution since 1966. She highlighted innovations such as fast-track procedures for small claims (resolved within six months), enhanced enforceability mechanisms, and growing transparency efforts. Mrs Bowman followed, stressing the importance of grounding arbitration in local contexts while building international visibility. She explained how engagement with the judiciary, particularly collaboration with judges and federal courts, has been vital to strengthening Australia\u2019s arbitration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The session concluded with a discussion on sustainability and inclusion. Panelists highlighted their institutions\u2019 commitment to green arbitration, diversity, and education. For instance, the Namibian Center is actively promoting ESG topics through moot court programs, increasing female arbitrator nominations, and advancing transitional justice mechanisms in environmental and social contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The symposium showcased the evolving nature of arbitral institutions and the innovative strategies they employ to address modern challenges. It also reaffirmed Jus Mundi\u2019s role in promoting transparency, sustainability, and inclusiveness in arbitration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, the event highlighted the importance of continuous innovation and the ongoing development of mechanisms to implement key strategies in international arbitration. This includes embracing new technologies, ensuring transparency and accessibility for users, upgrading online systems, and seeking solutions both within institutions and through institutional cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This article was originally published in the Biberon newsletter on Friday May 2, 2025, with thanks to Paris Baby Arbitration, Jus Mundi & Jus Connect<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sara Cadena<\/strong>, International Arbitration Trainee, Bouden Avocats<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n