Conference programme

In the last year, the efficiency and neutrality of international arbitration has been questioned by courts, civil society and policy-makers. Civil and criminal actions against arbitrators have unfortunately become frequent. Arbitral awards have been set aside because arbitrators, allegedly, have failed to perform their duties. In the investor-state regime, several states have expressed concerns towards the system. The Energy Charter Treaty’s future is at stake. This panel will address some of these concerns and answer the question: are we doing something wrong?

Institutions like the International Bar Association foster the efficiency and legitimacy of international arbitration by, among others, issuing uniform sets of rules and guidelines. This Oxford-style panel will address two questions: if it is not broken, why fix it? Or rather, are there some things that need to be changed? The first motion will confirm or deny whether witness statements drafted by lawyers have lost their probative value. The second motion will discuss whether we need stricter ethical rules for international arbitration practitioners.