New Seats – New Challenges

1. The arbitration landscape has changed dramatically over the past couple of decades. Among other things, it has seen the emergence of new and prominent centres for arbitration, as well as a number of growing trends, some reflected in the recent round of changes to the rules of most, if not all, of the major arbitral institutions. The number of cases handled by the major institutions has tripled during this period.¹ The number of disputes resolved through arbitration continues to grow exponentially, and "it seems that the growth of arbitration is almost unstoppable".² Users of arbitration in the major industry sectors confirm that it is their preferred method of dispute resolution.³ Indeed, one prominent jurist has described it as the "golden age" of arbitration.⁴