Young Arbitration and ADR Forum (YAAF)

Europe’s young arbitrators convene in Athens

  • 15 July 2016
Diversity in arbitration

The International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) 2016 series of regional Young Arbitration Forums (YAF) continues today, with the Europe Chapter’s 3rd Regional Conference taking place in Athens.

Sponsored by Dryllerakis & Associates, Tsetos & Leboulanger Law Firm, M & P Bernitsas, Cocalis & Psarras, Thomas Cooper and with the support of ICC Hellas, Technopolis (City of Athens), the two-day event will feature a dynamic debate, an interactive workshop and roundtable discussions on thought provoking topics of particular pertinence in Europe.

Georgios Petrochilos, a partner of law firm Three Crowns (Paris), will teach an arbitration masterclass in the auditorium of the Acropolis museum following welcome addresses by José Feris, Deputy Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and co-chair of ICC YAF, Paris and Alina Leoveanu, Head of ICC YAF Europe Chapter.

Mr Petrochilos will give an overview of the current landscape and where things are headed in international arbitration including efforts towards transparency and the future of investment protection.

Melanie Van Leeuwen and Ben Valentin are also set to divulge their top 10 tips on effective advocacy in international arbitration during a workshop on day two of the conference.

ICC Young Arbitrator events are tailored specifically to arbitration professionals and students aged 40 or under. Whether arbitrator, counsel or academic, conference participants will not only get the chance to learn directly from experienced practitioners but also stand to benefit from substantial networking opportunities and strengthened links within the young arbitration community.

The European Chapter event follows a successful regional conference for North America in Washington last month while more regional gatherings for young arbitrators are scheduled to take place in Sao Paulo on 21 August, Beirut on 30 Sept and Seoul on 14 October ahead of the biennial global YAF conference slated for June 2017.

The ICC YAF European Chapter chose Athens as the venue for its latest regional conference riding on the wave of successful editions held previously in Berlin in 2012 and Rome in 2014.

The regional gatherings are a chance for participants discuss the latest arbitration issues and career developments with renowned international arbitrators, members of the Secretariat of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and arbitration peers from all over Europe.