


The 6th edition of the Bucharest Arbitration Days addresses the critical theme of Reassessing Access to Justice and Due Process in International Arbitration, with fundamental implications for the legitimacy of international arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism.
Overview
During the sessions, participants will delve into key topics such as barriers to accessing arbitration, the importance of upholding due process, the impact of recent legal developments and technological advancements on the arbitration process, and the intersection between arbitration with fundamental human rights, including the right to a clean environment.
The conference will serve as a dynamic platform for networking and collaboration among stakeholders, encouraging dialogue on enhancing international arbitration to better meet the needs of its diverse users and advance access to justice.
Conference Themes
in 2025:
in 2025:
Bucharest Arbitration Days 2025 will address pressing issues including due process concerns in international arbitration, the impact of costs on access to arbitral justice, the essential role of arbitrators in ensuring due process, and the role of counsel and experts in international arbitration. Additionally, it will explore the intersections of arbitral justice with climate change and energy transition, as well as due process in the context of recent legal developments and emerging technologies.
Keyword BArD 2025
The keyword of Bucharest Arbitration Days 2025 is reassessment. We understand reassessment as reevaluating our understanding of arbitration considering new information or new developments which may alter our perception of it. Reassessment cannot be achieved without flexibility, receptiveness, and collaboration. We are confident in our ability to uphold arbitration as an effective dispute resolution mechanism while ensuring that its legitimacy also promotes access to justice.
#Reassessment


Bucharest Arbitration Days 2025 convenes legal experts, practitioners, scholars, and policymakers to critically examine the evolving landscape of international arbitration, with a view of the need for an accessible and appropriate mechanism for the resolution of international commercial and investment disputes.
Welcome Speech

Ștefan Deaconu
President, Court of International Commercial Arbitration, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania
Keynote Speeches
Day 1: Prof.
Stefan Kröll
Stefan Kröll

Day 2: Prof.
Yas Banifatemi
Yas Banifatemi

Keynote speech: Prof. Stefan Kroll

Professor Dr. Stefan Kröll is Professor for International Dispute Resolution and Director of the Center for International Business Resolution. In addition, he is a visiting professor at the School of International Arbitration at CCLS (Queen Mary, University of London) and has acted as an advisor and consultant for the relevant organizations of the German Government (GIZ, IRZ) and USAID in various countries.
Keynote speech Day 1:
Prof. Stefan Kröll
Prof. Stefan Kröll

Professor Dr. Stefan Kröll is Professor for International Dispute Resolution and Director of the Center for International Business Resolution. In addition, he is a visiting professor at the School of International Arbitration at CCLS (Queen Mary, University of London) and has acted as an advisor and consultant for the relevant organizations of the German Government (GIZ, IRZ) and USAID in various countries.
9:45 – 10:15 EEST
Panel 1
Due Process: Time to Overcome Paranoia in International Arbitration?
10:15 – 11:30 EEST
Moderator

Maria Beatrice Deli
Partner
DeliSasson
Italy

Mladen Stojiljković
Partner
Nater Dallafior Switzerland

Athina Fouchard Papaefstratiou
Independent Arbitrator
Athina Fouchard Papaefstratou, France

Frederico Singarajah
Partner
Gatehouse Chamber United Kingdom

Cristiana I. Stoica
Founding Partner
Stoica & Asociații Romania

Jens-Hendrik
Janzen
Janzen
Partner
Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek, Germany

Sam Smith
Marketing Manager


Sam Smith
Marketing Manager


Sam Smith
Marketing Manager

Panel 2
Justice on a Budget: How Costs Shape Access to Arbitral Justice
11:45 – 13:00 EEST
Moderator

The Honourable Judge Russell Brown
Associate Counsel
Hunter Litigation Chambers
Canada

Benjamin Siino
Founding Partner
Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes France

Khushboo Shahdapuri
Partner
Dispute Resolution, AI Tamini & Company United Arab Emirates

Maria Hauser-Morel
Counsel
HANEFELD France

Simon Greenberg
Partner
Clifford Chance France

Cleopatra Leahu
Deputy Managing Partner
Suciu Partners
RomaniaPanel 3
Arbitrators: Guardians of Due Process in International Arbitration?
14:30 – 15:45 EEST
Moderator

Erica Stein
Independent Arbitrator
Stein Arbitration
Belgium

Domenico di Pietro
Independent Arbitrator & Dispute Resolution Consultant
DI PIETRO ARBITRATION USA & UK

Sofia Martins
Partner
MIRANDA & ASSOCIADOS Portugal

Paul Kinninmont
Partner
FREETHS UK

Simona Neagu
Partner
Neagu Dinu Partners Romania
Panel 4
Power in Partnership: The Role of Counsel and Experts in Ensuring Due Process in International Arbitration
16:00 – 17:15 EEST
Moderator

Simon Cosedine
Partner
THREE CROWNS
USA

Anamaria Popescu
Senior Managing Director
Ankura USA

Hilde van der Baan
Partner
A&O Shearman Holland

Robin Oldenstam
Partner
Mannheimer Swartling Sweden
Keynote speech Day 2:
Prof. Yas Banifatemi
Prof. Yas Banifatemi

Dr. Yas Banifatemi is a founding partner of Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes and is widely recognized as one of the most prominent international arbitration and public international law specialists worldwide. Prior to founding Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes, she served as Shearman & Sterling’s Global International Arbitration Practice Group Leader and Public International Law Team Leader.
9:45 – 10:15 EEST
Panel 5
Whose Justice? Investment Arbitration at the Intersection with Climate Change and Energy Transition
10:15 – 11:30 EEST
Moderator

Simon Batifort
Partner, Managing Partner
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle
Belgium, USA, France
Camilla Gambarini
Special Counsel
Withers LLP United Kingdom

Veronika Korom
Affiliated Partner
PARAGON Austria

Arne Fuchs
Partner, Global Head of Arbitration
Ashurst Germany

Can Yeginsu
Barrister
3 Verulam Buildings United Kingdom
Swiss Arbitration Centre Panel
Legitimacy of arbitration based on unilateral arbitration clauses: corporate law, trust, estate, foundation disputes and beyond
11:45 – 13:00 EEST
Moderator

Dr. Christopher Boog
Partner
Schellenberg Wittmer
Switzerland, Singapore
Lucian Ilie
Barrister
Outer Temple UK

Rodica Turtoi
Counsel
Peter & Kim Switzerland

Werner Jahnel
Partner
Lalive Switzerland

Nadja Jaisli Kull
Partner
Bär & Karrer Zurich Switzerland
Young Romanian Arbitration Practitioners
Oxford-style Debate:
This house believes there is a duty of technological competence in international investment arbitration
Held under the Chatham House Rule
This house believes there is a duty of technological competence in international investment arbitration
Held under the Chatham House Rule
14:30 – 15:45 EEST
Moderator

Helin Laufer
International Arbitration Lawyer
UK

Mihaela Apostol
Solicitor of
England & Wales
England & Wales
Co-founder ArbTech United Kingdom

Ruxandra Esanu
Senior Associate
Wordstone Dispute Resolution, France

Daniela-Olivia Ghicajanu
Deputy Counsel
ICC France

Răzvan Banța
Senior Associate
NNDKP Romania
#BARD2025
Attendance is in person only, with limited seats available.
Your spot is confirmed only after receiving official confirmation from the organizers.
Free
In-Person Attendance
Limited Seats Available
Where:
InterContinental Athenee Palace Bucharest, Episcopiei Street, 010292
When:5 - 6 June 2025
8:30 - 9:15
Registration & Welcome Coffee

9:15 - 9:45
Welcome Speeches

9:45 - 10:15
Keynote Speech

10:15 - 11:30
Panel 1

11:30 - 11:45
Coffee Break

11:45 - 13:00
Panel 2
13:00 - 14:30
Lunch

14:30 - 15:45
Panel 3

15:45 - 16:00
Coffee Break

16:00 - 17:15
Panel 4

starts@17:30
Cocktail & Networking
9:00 - 09:45
Registration & Welcome Coffee

09:45 - 10:15
Keynote Speech

10:15 - 11:30
Panel 5

11:30 - 11:45
Coffee Break

11:45 - 13:00
Panel 6
13:00 - 14:30
Lunch

14:30 - 15:45
Panel 7
Previous Editions
BARD 2021
Towards a Reform in Arbitration
A Particular View on Construction Disputes
BARD 2022
Timely Perspectives on Energy
Disputes and Their Resolution Mechanism
BARD 2023
Stakeholders’ Role in International Arbitration
BARD 2024
Critical Developments in International Arbitration
#BARD2025
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