Member of the CEPANI
Lawyer with the Brussels Bar (Alter-Vanderstappen-Robert)
On 17 June 2026, CEPANI hosted in The Unusual Suspects Pt. II – Arbitration Institutions & Their Challenges, at the Residence of the Belgian Ambassador in London, in the context of the London International Disputes Week 2026. Bringing together representatives from several leading European arbitral institutions, the event explored how arbitral institutions are adapting to changing user expectations and an increasingly competitive dispute resolution landscape.
After a welcoming address by H.E. Jeroen Cooreman, Ambassador of Belgium to the United Kingdom, the discussion was expertly moderated by our friend and colleague Dirk De Meulemeester. The panel brought together Benoît Kohl (President of CEPANI), Dr Ramona Schwart (Secretary General, DIS), Hilde van der Baan (President, NAI), Niamh Leinwather (Secretary General, VIAC) and Amany Chamieh (Director, AFA), who shared their perspectives on the evolving role of arbitral institutions and the challenges they collectively face.
The discussion was structured around three closely connected themes: dialogue, transparency and governance.
One of the clearest messages to emerge from the panel was that arbitral institutions are no longer perceived as purely administrative bodies. Users expect institutions to be responsive, accessible and proactive in supporting proceedings, while at the same time safeguarding their independence and neutrality. The challenge lies in finding the right balance: institutions must assist parties and tribunals without becoming involved in the substance of the dispute or compromising their role.
The discussion was then opened to the audience, which quickly raised a question that is becoming increasingly relevant across Europe: how can arbitration continue to distinguish itself from increasingly efficient commercial courts? During the discussion, one noted that, in several jurisdictions including Belgium, commercial courts have significantly improved both the quality and speed of their decisions over the past decade. As a result, arbitral institutions have an important role to play in demonstrating the added value of institutional arbitration. The panel agreed that arbitration continues to offer significant advantages, notably through procedural flexibility, confidentiality, the appointment of subject-matter experts as arbitrators and greater control over the conduct of proceedings. Several speakers also emphasised the importance of engaging directly with businesses and transactional lawyers at the contract-drafting stage, where dispute resolution clauses are ultimately decided.
Transparency generated equally lively exchanges. While users increasingly expect institutions to explain how they operate, the panel considered that confidentiality remains one of arbitration's defining strengths. Rather than advocating full publication of arbitral awards, speakers highlighted the importance of transparency in institutional governance, including appointment procedures and challenge decisions, while preserving the confidential nature of individual proceedings.
Governance and diversity were equally prominent throughout the discussion. Institutions described ongoing efforts to strengthen the diversity of their governing bodies, improve the transparency of decision-making processes and reinforce confidence in institutional independence. These developments were widely seen as essential to maintaining users' trust in arbitration as an effective and credible dispute resolution mechanism.
Looking ahead, the panel identified artificial intelligence, evolving user expectations and increasing competition between institutions as key drivers of future change. While approaches to mediation continue to differ across jurisdictions, institutions broadly agreed that innovation and responsiveness will be essential if arbitration is to remain an attractive option for resolving complex international disputes.
The evening illustrated that European arbitral institutions face similar challenges and aim at one common objective: delivering efficient, modern and trustworthy dispute resolution.
I take the opportunity of this short article to warmly thank CEPANI Past President, Benoît Kohl, for his leadership during his mandate and, of course, Emma Van Campenhoudt, CEPANI's Secretary General, for her outstanding work in organising this successful event.
