Austria: MyCommunity. MyProfession. MyArbitration.

In ever-changing circumstances, adaptability is gold. And the traditional dispute resolution practice in CEE has been ridden with change in the last few years – modernised, advanced, improved. 

Options and strategies for dispute resolution have become more versatile and complex. Overseas common law trends have moved into Europe, further adding to the changes brought about by recent EU law and jurisprudence. Third-party funding, mass claims and class actions have made headway across CEE. Traditional state court litigation has been complemented or replaced by alternative dispute resolution.

International arbitration is as popular as ever, and as an inherently international practice, pioneers in implementing global modernisation trends aiming to adapt dispute resolution to new circumstances, best practices and the highest global standards. Last year's restrictions and measures have acted as a catalyst for new approaches to the practice and the profession, particularly in arbitration, which continue to be shaped by calls for efficiency, sustainability, transparency and diversity.

• Virtual hearings and paperless filings have started to make arbitration more cost-efficient and sustainable, long before the pandemic forced these trends onto State courts as well. A catalyst for this development has been the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations and the Green Pledge launched by Lucy Greenwood (see her myArbitration interview for details about her greener arbitration initiative).
• Data compilation and publication have made arbitration more transparent. Building on the effort to increase transparency in arbitration over the past few years, Catherine Rogers recently launched a new tool to compile and share key arbitrator information (see her myArbitration interview for details about her Arbitrator Intelligence initiative).
• Organisations and institutions have joined forces to further promote diversity in the profession, virtually affecting all aspects of the practice and the profession. This development was jumpstarted by Mirèze Philippe, who co-founded the ArbitralWomen network over 25 years ago (see her myArbitration interview for details about the launch and objectives of ArbitralWomen).

As society adapts to the new normal, technology adapts with us, aiming to meet the new demands and needs, and to provide an opportunity to continue existing and launch new initiatives for the promotion of efficiency, sustainability, transparency and diversity.

Many initiatives across the globe have sought to seize that opportunity, to adapt to the new times and challenges, and to continue to improve the practice and the profession. myArbitration is such an initiative.

myArbitration was launched by Schoenherr Counsel Victoria Pernt. It is a video series on arbitration, featuring short interviews portraying the people behind arbitration: arbitrators, counsel, parties and others. Victoria meets prominent practitioners, experts, clients and students. With 2020 having left so many starved for human interaction, Victoria takes her viewers across national borders and into the homes of her interviewees. With myArbitration as a backstage pass to the world of arbitration, viewers get exclusive insights into the world of arbitration as interviewees share personal experiences, opinions and stories.

They talk about their passion projects and challenges, and offer valuable explanations, advice and insights. myArbitration provides a platform to discuss key challenges, trends and developments in arbitration for prominent and rising practitioners as well as other people involved in arbitration. It also raises awareness and promotes initiatives for diversity, transparency, efficiency and sustainability.

For the first three episodes of the series, Victoria interviewed prominent lawyers Gabrielle Nater-Bass, Gaëlle Filhol and Milena Djordjevic.

• Zurich-based Gabrielle Nater-Bass is a prominent arbitrator and partner at Homburger. In her interview, she talks about her upcoming hybrid hearing, i.e. a traditional in-person hearing combined with virtual elements. She also addresses the importance of diversity and promoting young female practitioners.
• Gaëlle Filhol is managing partner at an arbitration boutique in Paris, a mother of two, and a singer. In her interview, she encourages arbitration practitioners to be brave, to share their challenges and, if need be, to make their own rules.
• Milena Djordjevic is an institution for arbitration in the CEE region. She has used her position to support the next generation of practitioners, whether at the Belgrade University, the ICC Court, as counsel or as an arbitrator. In her interview, she shares inspiring stories and experiences as well as valuable insights.

Many more interviews have since been launched, with many more to come.

Inviting and involving viewers from within the dispute resolution community and beyond, myArbitration turns social distancing into an opportunity to bring our practice and community together – sharing the world of arbitration with you. Follow myArbitration on LinkedIn for more information, announcements and behind-the-scenes material. Visit video.myarbitration.eu to see the interviews. Follow us into the world of arbitration. Connect. Adapt. Together.