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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.

Gold Partners

Silver Partners

Supporting Partners

Overview

The 2021 Queen Mary University of London and White & Case Survey has highlighted the success of international arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism, with over 90% of the respondents preferring arbitration for resolving cross-border disputes, either on a stand-alone basis (31%) or in conjunction with ADR (59%). Further, the 2018 Queen Mary University of London and White & Case Survey indicated that the “due process paranoia” of arbitrators continues to be a source of concern, and that arbitrators do not make sufficient use of the sanctioning powers they already possess.

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:

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

Day 2: Prof.
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

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
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

Romania

Panel 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

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

14:30 – 15:45 EEST

Moderator

Helin Laufer
International Arbitration Lawyer

UK

Mihaela Apostol

Solicitor of
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

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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

Media Partners

Forme ale discriminării la locul de muncă

3 decembrie 2024, orele 14:00 – 17:00, online