THE AUTHORS:
Karen Laïk, International arbitration and Disputes Lawyer at Clifford Chance
Athina Fouchard Papaefstratiou, International Arbitrator, Paris
As we celebrated the landmark tenth anniversary of Paris Arbitration Week (“PAW”) from 23 to 27 March 2026, the PAW board sought to create a lasting legacy in line with its values. The result was the launch of the PAW Fellowship Programme, an initiative designed to champion diversity and inclusivity within the international arbitration ecosystem.
Opening Doors to the Global Ecosystem
The PAW Fellowship was born from a desire to broaden access for talented practitioners from jurisdictions where international arbitration is still emerging. While many professionals possess the requisite skills, they often lack the opportunity to engage directly with the global arbitration community.
For this pilot edition, we focused our search on practitioners based in Africa and Asia. We received approximately 100 applications from a diverse range of lawyers, in-house counsel, and public servants. Ultimately, we were delighted to welcome a cohort of eight Fellows: Radhika Bhakoo and Mrinalika Devarapalli from India, Ghazaleh Ilkhanizade from Iran, Bill (Chih-Hung) Kao from Taiwan, Shrijana Mainali from Nepal, Mary Murugi Ngige from Kenya, Imamverdi Novruzlu from Azerbaijan, and Edith Twinamatsiko from Uganda.
A Three-Pillar Journey
The programme was structured around three key milestones to ensure the Fellows gained both theoretical depth and practical networking opportunities:
- Foundational Webinars: Before traveling, Fellows attended remote sessions covering the foundations of arbitration proceedings, as well as more practical aspects of arbitration, such as the particularities of construction disputes, quantum analysis and third-party funding. To promote inclusivity, we opened these webinars to all applicants.
- Paris Arbitration Week: Fellows travelled to Paris with the support of a EUR 3,000 grant to cover travel and living expenses. They were granted access to all official PAW events and high-level conferences, allowing them to witness current trends firsthand.
- Immersion and Networking: During an additional week following PAW, the Fellows engaged in dedicated trainings and meetings with our sponsors and major arbitral institutions, including the ICC, CMAP, and CAIP.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The feedback from our inaugural cohort has been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the experience as a landmark in their professional careers. Our sponsors—Freshfields, Herbert Smith, Honlet Legum, Jus Mundi, Laborde Law, Reed Smith, and Wordstone—likewise found immense value in exchanging ideas with brilliant colleagues from emerging markets.
The PAW Fellowship is now a permanent fixture of Paris Arbitration Week. As we begin reviewing feedback to refine the 2027 edition, our goal remains clear: to continue showcasing Paris as a premier arbitration “hot spot” while ensuring the global community reflects the diverse world it serves.
Stay tuned to the PAW Fellowship website for updates on the 2027 application cycle!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karen Laïk is an international arbitration and disputes lawyer at Clifford Chance in Paris and a member of the Paris Arbitration Week board.
Athina Fouchard Papaefstratiou is an international arbitrator based in Paris and a member of the Paris Arbitration Week board.
*The views and opinions expressed by authors are theirs and do not necessarily reflect those of their organizations, employers, or Daily Jus, Jus Mundi, or Jus Connect.
