London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)

As another exceptional year draws to a close, the LCIA reflects on the developments made and significant milestones reached during 2024. Further information on these updates can be found in our end of year message here: https://lnkd.in/eh5H6D7T This seasonal message marks not only the end of the calendar year but also the conclusion of Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof’s tenure as Director General. For one final time, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Jackie for her outstanding leadership and exemplary service. Looking ahead to 2025, the LCIA eagerly anticipates welcoming Kevin Nash as its new Director General. In the first half of the year, London will play a pivotal role in bringing the arbitral community together as it hosts the IBA Arbitration Day in April, ahead of June’s London International Disputes Week (LIDW). The LCIA will continue its own active programme of worldwide events, and we will promote those in due course.   Please visit the LCIA website for details of our operating hours over the festive season: https://lnkd.in/eNWPsY29. With best wishes for a happy and healthy 2025 from all at the LCIA.

The London Court of International Arbitration is pleased to welcome Marie Sparkes as its new Head of Marketing, Communications and Business Development. Marie joined the team in early October following 15 years in legal marketing roles at commercial barristers’ chambers. Her hire signifies the LCIA’s commitment to enhancing the service offered to its members and users, and being an innovative and forward-thinking institution. LCIA Director General, Professor Dr Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof, said: “Marie brings a wealth of experience in legal sector marketing. Her knowledge, energy and enthusiasm will complement our existing team and I am sure she will excel in this new role.” For any marketing related enquiries, contact Marie at [email protected]

The full Report from the GAR-LCIA Roundtable on the conduct of international arbitration has recently been released. This follows the event held in January of this year, attended by eminent figures in international arbitration including members of the LCIA’s Board and Court. It promises to be an enlightening and thought-provoking read to all stakeholders in international arbitration and the LCIA is grateful to Global Arbitration Review (GAR) for facilitating such an important discussion. The Roundtable initiative was conceived (and ultimately chaired) by J William Rowley KC as he reflected on whether arbitration today was where we had hoped it would be 20 years ago. With that context in mind, the participants reviewed each stage of the arbitral process, discussing various issues from protracted procedural timetables to delayed and lengthy awards. The GAR Roundtable format (which they have successfully run in the past) was attractive to key stakeholders and enabled a dynamic discussion. The result was the development of 12 practical recommendations, tailored to provide tribunals with effective solutions for the perceived challenges currently faced in international arbitration. The LCIA is proud to have been part of this Roundtable and to have contributed to its findings. These recommendations are not binding and not exclusive to LCIA arbitrations, but it is hoped that the considerations and recommendations further the discussion around how to ensure that international arbitration meets the needs of users worldwide. For further information, including the full Report, please visit our website. https://lnkd.in/enApiN4B

The LCIA have released a third batch of challenge decisions comprising an additional 24 LCIA and UNCITRAL arbitration challenge decisions decided by the LCIA Court during the period between 22 July 2017 and 31 December 2022. This set of LCIA challenge decisions contains the full text of all decisions, with only limited redactions necessary to preserve confidentiality. The decisions are published both as single decisions and as a consolidated text. Challenge decisions form an invaluable resource for users, counsel, and arbitrators – they create a greater understanding of the reasoning applied by the LCIA Court in arbitrations proceeding pursuant to the LCIA Rules and the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules and provide guidance in relation to standards of conduct for future cases. The publication of this batch of decisions brings the total of published challenge decisions by the LCIA Court to 84. While the availability of a thorough challenge procedure is an important safeguard supporting the legitimacy of the process, it is important that the mechanism is not abused. By providing reasons not only to the parties in individual cases but more generally, the LCIA supports the development of law and practice in this area. These decisions and their publication provide users with unprecedented insights in the grounds and procedures relating to arbitrator challenges. At the same time, the paucity of decisions in LCIA arbitrations is a testament to the robust nature of the LCIA’s appointment process. To access the new challenge decisions and the detailed commentary which accompanies them, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eChTnehc

The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) is proud to announce the release of new Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Guidelines, marking a significant step in advancing inclusivity within the global arbitration community. The LCIA EDI Guidelines were developed through a collaborative process led by the LCIA’s EDI Officer and involving extensive input from senior arbitration professionals. They provide non-binding recommendations for integrating EDI principles across various stages of arbitration, from candidate selection to conduct in hearings and involving all participants in the process. The LCIA EDI Guidelines can be downloaded via the PDF below, and further information on this initiative can be found on our website: https://lnkd.in/eaEdSqpp #LCIA #EDI #arbitration

Thank you to everyone who attended the LCIA Tylney in Town in Miami on Saturday as part of the Miami International Arbitration Society Week (#MAW24) Thank you to our speakers Jose Astigarraga, Effie D. Silva, Harout Jack Samra and José Maria Pérez for facilitating lively conversations and for sharing your expertise during the panel discussion and Tylney-style session. As the final LCIA symposium for 2024, this was a great way to end a busy year of discussing developments in the field of international arbitration and dispute resolution; and networking with colleagues from various regions around the globe. We hope to see you in the new year: https://lnkd.in/gZksjzF #LCIA #LCIAEvents #MiamiArbitrationWeek #MAW24

Members of our Users' Councils play an integral role in the LCIA. We are grateful for their continued and invaluable support in the promotion and development of the industry. To join our community of Members (as an individual or a corporate) and take advantage of our extensive membership benefits, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eA9xtK6K

Another exciting Dubai Arbitration Week! Thank you to the everyone who joined us at the LCIA Meet and Mingle last week for a night of connecting with friends and colleagues from around the globe. The enthusiasm and energy from all those who attended was fantastic to see. Thank you to the Officers of the LCIA Arab Users’ Council Mohamed Shelbaya, Amani Khalifa, Salman A. Al-Ansari, Soraya Corm-Bakhos, FCIArb and Lara Hammoud for your efforts in making this event a success. YIAG (Young International Arbitration Group) were also at #DAW24, hosting an interactive Tylney-style seminar. Thank you to all those who attended and participated, ensuring the discussions were lively throughout. A special thank you to our speakers Oleg Todua, Michael Farchakh, Dr. Shehab Farouk-FCIArb and Fulya Kurar for co-chairing the session and to our delegates for sharing their expert knowledge on the topics discussed. Visit our Events Schedule to see what events are upcoming and what is planned for the new year so far: LCIA: https://lnkd.in/gZksjzF YIAG: https://lnkd.in/dwQ5nKf #LCIA #LCIAEvents #YIAG #YIAGEvents #Dubai

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)’s first symposium in Riyadh last weekend, which involved engaging discussions on global developments in international arbitration and an opportunity to network with fellow delegates. Thank you to our panellists Michael Black KC, Soraya Corm-Bakhos, FCIArb, Amani Khalifa, Mohamed Shelbaya and Julia Zagonek for facilitating lively discussions during the session and for sharing your professional expertise on the topics raised. View our events schedule to keep up to date with forthcoming LCIA events: https://lnkd.in/gZksjzF #LCIA #LCIAEvents #Riyadh

It was fantastic to see all those who joined us last week for the LCIA Seminar in Tokyo: Connecting London and Japan – Global Developments and the Impact on International Arbitration. In addition to conversations on the evolving challenges and opportunities in arbitration, this event provided an excellent opportunity to connect with experts in the industry and network with international colleagues. Thank you to our moderator Yoshimi Ohara and panellists Ewa Karolina Kondracka (イヴァ コンドラツカ), Lars Markert, John Ribeiro and Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof for your professional insights, and a special thank you to Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu for your hospitality in hosting this event. To see a list of upcoming LCIA events, visit our Events Schedule here: https://lnkd.in/gZksjzF #LCIA #LCIAEvents #Japan