Melanie van Leeuwen speaks at the Copenhagen Arbitration Days 2025

On 4 September 2025, at the invitation of the Danish Institute of Arbitration and ICC Denmark, Vanguard partner Melanie van Leeuwen had the privilege of addressing the participants of the Copenhagen Arbitration Days at the stunning Odd Fellow Mansion.

The theme of the 2025 edition of the Copenhagen Arbitration Days was “Shaping the Nordic arbitration community of tomorrow,” which offered an excellent opportunity to explore the evolving international arbitration landscape from a Nordic perspective. By reference to Aristotle’s virtue ethics, Melanie engaged the audience with “The Virtues of a Good Arbitrator”.  

Melanie shared her views on why it is crucial for arbitrators, tasked with the resolution of the complex and challenging disputes that the 21st century presents, to act with courage, moderation, generosity, magnificence, magnanimity, ambition, patience, truthfulness, humour, kindness, modesty, and justice.

As arbitrators are expected to display impeccable case management skills and conduct proceedings in a fair, impartial and efficient manner – while staying clear of the pitfalls of corruption, moneylaundering, artificially generated evidence and other vices that are afflicting today’s globalised economy – Melanie explained how the Aristotelian virtues are lodestars that should guide arbitrators in the administration of justice.

The day concluded with festive drinks and a wonderful dinner at The Odd Fellow Palace, where leading arbitration practitioners from across the Nordic region and beyond (re)connected, engaged, and fostered the growth of the arbitration community.

With special thanks to the Danish Institute of Arbitration, Steffen Pihlblad and Sahra Arif for their kind invitation and the flawless organisation.

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