How is international arbitration evolving across the East and the West? This question was at the very heart of Vanguard’s event on 25 March 2026 held in partnership with KCAB INTERNATIONAL as part of Paris Arbitration Week 2026.
We were delighted to welcome a full audience for this engaging discussion, bringing together counsel, arbitrator and institutional perspectives from both regions. The panel, featuring Pui-KiEmmanuelle T. (Secretary General, KCAB International), Byung Chol(B.C.) Yoon (Partner, Kim & Chang), Christopher Harris KC (Partner, Gibson Dunn), and Christopher Lau SC (Senior Counsel and Chartered Arbitrator, 3VB Barrister), was introduced by Melanie van Leeuwen (Founding Partner, Vanguard International Dispute Resolution)and moderated by Nadia Darwazeh (Partner, Vanguard International Dispute Resolution).
💡Key takeaways from the discussion:
- Significant growth of arbitration in Asia, with hubs in the region being firmly established.
- While disputes in traditional sectors such as construction and energy remain central, Asian-specific arbitrations include trade and maritime, with pharmaceutical, and defence-related disputes on the rise.
- KCAB has modernized its international arbitration rules, effective from 1 January 2026, including accelerated procedures as well as innovative provisions on award scrutiny.
- Overall, there is significant convergence between East and West in procedural practices and tools to enhance the efficiency in arbitral proceedings.
We are grateful to our distinguished speakers and all participants for contributing to such a thought ful and dynamic exchange!
