LCIA News: Annual Casework Report 2020 and changes to the LCIA Court and European Users’ Council 17 May 2021 We are pleased to share with you some key news from the LCIA including: The launch of the ‘LCIA Annual Casework Report 2020’ revealing the LCIA prospering mightily during the pandemic. A welcome to a number of new Court members and two new Vice Presidents to the LCIA Court. A new President and a new Officer reinforcing the LCIA European Users' Council. Our schedule of upcoming events to be hosted virtually and, with restrictions easing, a return to in-person events. Please see our Events Schedule for more information. You may be interested in hearing about the benefits of LCIA membership. If so, please see more information about Membership of the LCIA Users' Councils at the bottom of the page. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions. LCIA Annual Casework Report 2020 Despite the trying times faced worldwide, the LCIA has enjoyed a record year with its highest caseload ever; an 18% increase in LCIA arbitrations over the preceding year. The working from home program has been made possible by superb staff who managed to cope with this crisis situation while also taking onthe additional caseload. The pandemic not only led to an influx of cases but also formed the catalyst for changes to good arbitral practice and informed important changes to the LCIA Arbitration Rules, in particular by a wholesale move to conducting all aspects of the arbitration electronically. The annual report contains a section highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the administration of cases, and details the key updates to the 2020 LCIA Arbitration and Mediation Rules. Other highlights in the report include: The LCIA received 444 referrals, including 407 arbitrations pursuant to the LCIA Rules, both of which are an all-time high, and represent a 10% increase in the total number of referrals and an 18% increase in the number of LCIA arbitrations, compared with 2019. The top three industry sectors remain the same and account for 68% of all arbitrations pursuant to the LCIA Rules. This year saw energy and resources at the top, then transport and commodities, followed by banking and finance. There was a sharp rise in the percentage of disputed contracts that were entered into within two years of the arbitration commencing, in arbitrations under the LCIA Rules, a likely knock-on impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eighty-six percent of parties to LCIA arbitrations are from countries other than the United Kingdom, demonstrating the continued international nature of the LCIA’s caseload. The trend of more non-UK seats and choices of law continued in 2020 in arbitrations pursuant to the LCIA Rules, with 2020 seeing a greater link between choice of seat and law. Gender diversity in arbitral appointments in LCIA arbitrations has reached a high of 33%, with parties and arbitrators contributing more than before and the LCIA Court continuing to maintain a high rate of appointments of female arbitrators at 45% of its appointments. The majority of arbitrators (65%) were appointed only once in the same calendar year, slightly higher than in 2019 (60%). We do hope you find the report informative and a useful resource, and one which demonstrates the LCIA’s ongoing commitment to transparency. Click here for the LCIA Annual Casework Report 2020 Changes to the LCIA Court Retiring Court Members At the meeting of the LCIA Court, on 7 May 2021, it was announced that the following members would retire having each served their term: Jean Kalicki – Vice President, USA Peter Rees QC – Vice President, 39 Essex Chambers, UK Noah Rubins QC – Court Member, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, USA (France) Claus von Wobeser – Court Member, Von Wobeser y Sierra SC, Mexico The LCIA wishes to wholeheartedly thank the outgoing members of the Court for their great support of the institution. The LCIA wishes to wholeheartedly thank the outgoing members of the Court for their great support of the institution. New Vice Presidents Appointed With Jean Kalicki and Peter Rees QC's term as Vice President expiring, the following members of the Court have been appointed as new Vice Presidents: Raëd Fathallah, Bredin Prat - Lebanon (France) Maxi Scherer, WilmerHale - Germany (UK) New Court Members At the meeting of the LCIA Board on 6 May 2021, four new Court members were appointed on the recommendation of the Court: Marie Berard, Clifford Chance - France/UK Kate Brown de Vejar, DLA Piper - Australia (Mexico) Artem Doudko, Osborne Clarke - Russia/UK Matthew Gearing QC, Fountain Court Chambers - UK The LCIA offers its sincere congratulations and thanks to all new members of the LCIA Court. Paula Hodges QC, President of the LCIA Court: "Mindful of the need to keep abreast of the ever evolving nature of international arbitration around the world, we are delighted to welcome Marie, Kate, Artem and Matt to the LCIA Court given their deep experience of practising arbitration in Europe, Latin America, Russia and Asia. We are also delighted that Maxi and Raëd have agreed to become Vice Presidents – they are outstanding practitioners who will bring a wealth of multi-national expertise to the supervision of LCIA cases.”. LCIA Director General Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof: “I’m proud of the entire team at the LCIA who have done a stellar job, accommodating a large influx of cases under challenging circumstances. All users and arbitrators have had to adjust and it is remarkable how quickly new – and improved – arbitral practice has developed." "I am delighted to welcome the new group of eminent and distinguished practitioners to the Court and I wholeheartedly thank the retiring members of the Court, and in particular the Vice Presidents, for their valued support of the institution.” A full listing of all LCIA Court Members can be viewed here. Changes to the LCIA European Users Council The LCIA is pleased to announce that Kate Cervantes-Knox has been appointed the new President of the LCIA European Users Council. She takes over the position from Nathalie Voser, who is stepping down to focus on building her new firm while remaining active at the LCIA as Vice President of the LCIA Court. The LCIA is also pleased to welcome a new Officer of the European Users' Council, James Hargrove, Orrick, UK (Switzerland). Our congratulations and best wishes go out to all. A full list of Users' Council Officers can be found on our website. Membership of the LCIA Users' Councils The LCIA membership provides a wide array of opportunities to enhance your professional knowhow and network. Join an inclusive and world-class community, expand your network and enjoy exclusive privileges including: Gain exclusive access to and a listing in the online LCIA Directory of Members. Be part of a network of eminent practitioners. Online access to the LCIA Dashboard allowing management of your profile, membership, events and subscription. Receive our highly respected quarterly journal, Arbitration International, hard copy and online access to the full archive (dating back to 1985). Advance notice of all LCIA events with discounted registration fees. Take the opportunity to share ideas and expertise and participate in events which include our unique Tylney-Hall style format, providing an important platform facilitating discussion of topical issues and thought leadership for the global arbitral community. 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