On 5 November 2018, White & Case, in conjunction with CRCICA and the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt organized a launch event for the 4th Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and White & Case International Arbitration Survey on “The Evolution of International Arbitration”, at the Nile Ritz Carlton Hotel, Cairo, Egypt.

The 2018 Survey offered a unique insight into the views of not only private practitioners, but also in-house counsels, arbitrators, representatives of arbitral institutions and other key stakeholders across the globe. The Survey mapped changes in the field of international arbitration, in users’ preferences and perceptions and identified the arbitration community’s expectations for the future direction of international arbitration.

Mr. Daniel Garton, Partner, at White & Case, introduced the survey. A panel of experts including Dr. Hani Sarie-Eldin, Founder and Managing Partner, Sarie-Eldin & Partners, Chairman – AmCham Egypt Legal Affairs Committee, Dr. Ismail Selim, CRCICA Director, Mr. Christophe von Krause, and Mr. John Willems, Partners at White & Case had an interactive discussion about the survey’s findings. Based on 922 responses of users from different parts of the world, including lawyers, arbitrators, in-house counsels, academics and experts, findings indicated, that 97% of respondents preferred international arbitration to resolve cross-border commercial disputes. London and Paris remained the most preferred seats for international arbitration, followed by Singapore, Hong Kong, Geneva, New York and Stockholm. Findings also showed progress in respect of gender diversity in arbitral tribunals over the past five years. The increase of the use of information technology in international arbitration was welcome by respondents since it enhance the process’ efficiency. Respondents also believed that use of international arbitration is likely to increase in the future in the Energy, Construction/ Infrastructure, Technology, and Banking and Finance sectors. For more details about the findings of the survey please click here

Participants included legal practitioners, professionals working in the banking, energy and construction sectors. Representatives of the General Authority for Investment (GAFI), universities, ministries, and judicial authorities also attended.