The Battle of the Seats in International Arbitration

This program does not carry MCLE credit and is intended for informational purposes only.

International arbitration has become an autonomous and standalone private forum of administration of justice. Due to globalized trade, legal jurisdictions increasingly compete to become a host for this private forum of administration of justice. Multiple cities throughout the world are engaged into the "battle of the seats" by developing their legal system to become more arbitration friendly in order for the parties to choose these seats for future disputes. This panel comprises representatives of some of these seats to highlight the key developments they offer to convince the parties to choose their jurisdiction as an arbitral seat. The speakers argue in favor of their jurisdiction to be chosen as an arbitral seat based on various elements, including the types of arbitration cases considered at this seat over the past 2-3 years; the existence of arbitration-friendly national legal framework; the reputation of seat as neutral and impartial jurisdiction; the role of the national courts in aiding the arbitral process; the potential for challenging the arbitral awards (grounds, statistics, duration of court proceedings); the "digitalization" of arbitration proceedings and the use of technology; the cost of arbitration proceedings as well as practical and logistical considerations (geographic location, availability of competent arbitrators, professional attorneys, hearing facilities, accommodation etc.).

Speakers

Moderator | Mohamed F. Sweify, Esq.

Fatima Balfaqeeh, UAE Bar, C.Arb, MRICS, FCIPS

Dmitry A. Pentsov

Dr. Abayomi Okubote, FCIArb 

Manuel Diego Aramburú Yzaga