White & Case and Queen Mary University of London Launch 2020 International Arbitration Survey

Global law firm White & Case LLP has launched its 2020 International Arbitration Survey, carried out with the School of International Arbitration at Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL).

This fifth edition of the survey will focus on the adaptability of international arbitration in a changing world. It seeks to explore how international arbitration has adapted, and may continue to adapt further, as the interests and needs of the arbitral community reflect global changes, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

More information and details of how to access the survey are available here.

"This is the fifth empirical survey on international arbitration that we have partnered with the QMUL School of International Arbitration on, following a decade of unique and insightful reports," said White & Case partner Abby Cohen Smutny, head of the Firm's Global International Arbitration Practice. "Arbitration is the preferred choice for resolving international business disputes because it is able to adapt in response to both the needs of its users and global developments."

The survey aims to explore the views of the international arbitration community as a whole and will therefore gather opinions from a wide and diverse pool of stakeholders, including private practitioners, in-house counsel, academics and those with experience working for arbitral institutions. 

Stavros Brekoulakis, Professor in International Arbitration and Commercial Law and Director of the QMUL School of International Arbitration, adds: "At the School of International Arbitration, we are delighted to continue our very successful collaboration with White & Case. As the field of international arbitration continues to grow, our empirical surveys provide unique insight into the continuously evolving practices, and lead to a better understanding of the needs of the users of international arbitration. We are grateful for the continuing support of the arbitration community to our surveys, and we hope that the responses to this year’s questionnaire will be as strong as ever."

Clare Connellan, partner in White & Case's International Arbitration team in London who is working with QMUL on this study, highlights the themes of the survey: "We will explore how arbitration has adapted, and continues to adapt, to such global issues as diversity and sustainability, and the current COVID-19 health crisis, including through the use of technology."

Norah Gallagher, Deputy Director of the QMUL School of International Arbitration who leads the study, explains further: "This 2020 Survey, like many things, was suspended due to COVID-19. Challenges can create opportunity and prompt change. This survey aims to identify how the arbitration community adapted including the rapid increase in the use of technology. The results will be an important contribution to understanding the evolution of arbitration and identifying what changes will endure after the pandemic."

The survey questionnaire will be open from 8 October until 11 December 2020. In parallel, there will also be a qualitative, interview phase. The results will be launched in May 2021 in the form of a report, which will share key findings from the questionnaire and interview research.

White & Case will make a donation to SOS Children’s Villages and the World Wildlife Fund for every completed questionnaire or interview.

If you would like to participate in an interview, please contact the White & Case Research Fellow in International Arbitration at QMUL, Maria Fanou. The survey and results are anonymous.  All data collected will be treated in the strictest confidence and in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Press contact
For more information please speak to your local media contact.