ICC Dispute Resolution Services in 2022: a year in review

Before we wrap up the year and invite you to join us for the start of the Centenary celebrations in January, here is the list of our top 10 most memorable ICC Arbitration and ADR moments.

1. We reached another major arbitration milestone with our 27,000th case.

In May, the ICC Court registered its 27,000^th arbitration case, a major milestone. The case involved a dispute between parties from Africa active in the energy sector and represents the development of arbitration and ADR in Africa, a key focus for ICC in recent years.

2. We successfully embarked on a digital transformation journey.

We launched ICC Case Connect – our secure online platform that makes case management easy – and we revamped the ICC Online Dispute Resolution Library by furthering our existing partnership with Jus Mundi.

In line with our commitment to bolster transparency and in support of the dispute resolution community globally, each latest issue of the ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin is now made available for free on the Library.

3. We strengthened our governance to drive excellence.

• In May, updates to the Governing Body of ICC DRS further strengthened ICC’s strategic leadership on dispute resolution.
• In June, a new structure and focus was announced for the ICC Belt and Road Commission.
• In September, we announced the addition of new members to the Council of the ICC Institute of World Business Law, increasing its geographic scope and diversity.
• In October, we revealed the renewed ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR delegations and Steering Committee that scored high on diversity, including 120 in-house counsel.

4. We continued our journey towards a more inclusive and diverse future.

We were recognised for our work to make arbitration more inclusive, taking home the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge Award during the annual Global Arbitration Review Awards, for achievements in building an LGBTQIA network and launching the Task Force on Disability Inclusion and International Arbitration.

2022 is also the year when we have reached gender parity of the speakers in our events both regionally and worldwide, a unique milestone in gender representation, showcasing ICC is leading the way and contributes significantly to ensuring gender diversity in international dispute resolution.

5. We continued developing the next generation of arbitration and ADR professionals.

In 2022, the ICC Young Arbitration and ADR Forum (YAAF) evolved to not only reach but also represent a broader scope of arbitration and ADR practitioners. Its new name reflects its broader dispute resolution scope and underscores the global network’s wide range of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution services. YAAF reached 56 cities around the world with 64 in person, 47 online and 18 hybrid events.

And our young arbitration practitioners in Africa were granted unique opportunities through ICC’s Africa Commission with the 2022 cohort of ICC’s Hold the Door Open scholars from 14 countries announced in  May. The initiative offers young arbitration practitioners in Africa the opportunity to gain experience by observing arbitration hearings.

6. We delivered thought leadership in international arbitration, ADR and beyond.

1. The ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR launched a  revised report to provide tribunals, arbitrators and counsel with a framework to make better use of technology without compromising fairness or efficiency. Learn more in this Bulletin article.
2. The ICC Institute of World Business Law issued a guidance note for SMEs to comply with trade sanctions, and the Institute’s Latin-American and Iberian Chapter issued an insightful country-by-country study on international arbitration and political constitutions in South America.
3. On the occasion of the ICC Miami conference in October, we released Leadership, Legitimacy, Legacy: A Tribute to Alexis Mourre, an homage to Alexis Mourre’s distinguished and dedicated service as President of the ICC Court (2015-2021).

7. We were recognised as true leaders in international arbitration and ADR.

In the 2023 edition of Global Arbitration Review Who’s Who Legal, our leadership received global recognition for its industry-leading expertise and thought leadership;

• Claudia Salomon, ICC Court President: Global Elite Thought Leader
• Alexander Fessas, ICC Court Secretary General – Global Elite Thought Leader
• Ana Serra e Moura, ICC Court Deputy Secretary General – Thought Leader – Arbitration under 45
• Diamana Diawara, ICC Regional Director, Africa – Future Leader
• Greg Lourie, ICC Counsel – Future Leader

8. We continued our annual tour of events around the world – and our sustained outreach and cooperation, strengthening regional and local arbitral ecosystems.

We held over 750 events, including conferences, trainings and other educational activities in 2022. Attendance at our flagship conferences reached new record heights, with over 2,000 in-person participants.   

And we organised 260 in-house counsel, corporates and law firm meetings (including meetings with states and state-owned entities), over 80 ICC national committee delegation meetings, and 17 arbitration association and member group meetings at local, regional and global levels.  We also joined forces with law firms and corporates for capacity-building and judicial training, leveraging and increasing the engagement with our stakeholders.

9. We facilitated capacity-building, cross-learning and knowledge sharing globally.

In 2022, ICC DRS organised and engaged in over 85 educational university programmes, nine educational pre-moot / moots/ competitions and 22 ICC Institute of World Business Law trainings.

Our largest annual educational event, the ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition, turned 17 and gathered 48 university teams from 33 countries.

10. We reached major visibility milestones.

Our social media outreach and monthly newsletters engaged and inspired new subscribers. @ICCArbitration crossed the milestone of over 80,000 followers, consolidating its position as the most followed arbitration brand on LinkedIn.

Our social media following across the main platforms increased, and we continued to engage on our channels by successfully building brand devotion on Twitter, Facebook and  WeChat, a new channel that developed highly in followers and views with our live-streamed Walk into ICC series.

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We take this opportunity to thank all users of our services, our sponsors, partners and supporters, readers and subscribers and our formidable array of speakers, trainers and experts – this year’s achievements would not have been possible without your fantastic work, loyalty and commitment.

As we look back at a great successful year, we also look forward to 2023: We are ready for our landmark centenary year!