ICC Paris Spring Meeting 2026
It was a pleasure to take part in the Paris Spring Meeting of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR as a Ukrainian delegate.
The meeting brought together an impressive global community — over 500 participants in Paris and many more online — all united by a shared commitment to safeguarding and advancing a rules-based system of dispute resolution.
A particularly powerful tone was set in the opening remarks by Melanie van Leeuwen, reminding us that in times when legal frameworks and international conventions are being challenged, dispute resolution practitioners are not observers — we are part of the system that upholds fairness, stability and trust.
The discussions focused on several key developments shaping the future of international arbitration:
▫️ The new 2026 ICC Arbitration Rules, presented by Claudia Salomon, which will enter into force on 1 June 2026
▫️ The Final Report on corruption in international arbitration — a major step towards clearer guidance on one of the most complex issues in practice
▫️ The growing role of AI in dispute resolution, including its implications for confidentiality, decision-making and procedural integrity
We also heard insightful perspectives from Alexander Fessas on the work of the Court and Secretariat.
This meeting would not have been possible without the dedication and tireless efforts of Dr. Hélène VAN LITH.
Beyond the formal sessions, these meetings are always about people. It was also a pleasure to reconnect with colleagues from different jurisdictions and to see Ukrainian practitioners represented in this truly international setting.
The meeting brought together an impressive global community — over 500 participants in Paris and many more online — all united by a shared commitment to safeguarding and advancing a rules-based system of dispute resolution.
A particularly powerful tone was set in the opening remarks by Melanie van Leeuwen, reminding us that in times when legal frameworks and international conventions are being challenged, dispute resolution practitioners are not observers — we are part of the system that upholds fairness, stability and trust.
The discussions focused on several key developments shaping the future of international arbitration:
▫️ The new 2026 ICC Arbitration Rules, presented by Claudia Salomon, which will enter into force on 1 June 2026
▫️ The Final Report on corruption in international arbitration — a major step towards clearer guidance on one of the most complex issues in practice
▫️ The growing role of AI in dispute resolution, including its implications for confidentiality, decision-making and procedural integrity
We also heard insightful perspectives from Alexander Fessas on the work of the Court and Secretariat.
This meeting would not have been possible without the dedication and tireless efforts of Dr. Hélène VAN LITH.
Beyond the formal sessions, these meetings are always about people. It was also a pleasure to reconnect with colleagues from different jurisdictions and to see Ukrainian practitioners represented in this truly international setting.