ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin celebrates 35 years

ICC has released a special, double edition of its Dispute Resolution Bulletin marking 35 years of bringing together leading voices from across jurisdictions to reflect on the evolution – and future – of international arbitration and dispute resolution.

Claudia Salomon, President, ICC International Court of Arbitration, said:
“Now, more than ever, the Bulletin offers a platform for comparative overview, detailed studies, and debate among practitioners worldwide, enabling a global voice to emerge across jurisdictions, sectors and roles. Digitised and easily accessible, the Bulletin acts as a compass for dispute resolution, building capacity worldwide and generating innovative ideas towards enhanced dispute resolution processes.” 

Launched in 1990 under the leadership of Alain Plantey, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration (1989-1996), the ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin was created to provide clear explanations about the functions of the ICC Court and up-to-date information on ICC Arbitration and international commercial arbitration in general.

Originally named the ICC International Court of Arbitration Bulletin, the publication was later renamed as the ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin to reflect ICC’s broader approach to dispute resolution.
With the addition of more segments, the Bulletin became a more varied platform for exchanges and debates across the entire arbitration community.

Alexander G. Fessas, Director, ICC Dispute Resolution Services and Secretary General, ICC International Court of Arbitration said: 
“Since its inception, the Bulletin has operated as a bridge between theory and practice, promoting transparency on ICC case management and illustrating how arbitrators address various issues of procedure and substance. Building on global, regional, and local insights, the Bulletin showcases – and strengthens – the ties of the global disputes community, with an essential role in promoting access to justice and the rule of law.”

The Bulletin’s readership significantly expanded with the launch, in 2022, of the ICC Dispute Resolution Library  which made Bulletin contents fully searchable to subscribers and the latest editions available to everyone. Most recently, the integration of the ICC Dispute Resolution Library into the Jus Mundi’s AI tool, Jus AI, brought ICC’s dispute resolution knowledge directly into a platform designed specifically for the needs of arbitration professionals.

To mark 35 years of the Bulletin, ICC has issued a double edition (2025-3/2026-1), showcasing the publication’s truly international focus and unique combination of commentary, comparative overview, source material and practical insights. 

Sara Nadeau-Seguin, Co-Editor in Chief, said:  
“This 35th Anniversary Edition of the Bulletin marks an important milestone, underscoring the Bulletin’s role as a leading forum for innovation and critical reflection in arbitration and ADR. By bringing together leading voices from across jurisdictions, this special edition highlights the importance of global perspectives and collaborative engagement in fostering meaningful dialogue on the challenges and opportunities shaping dispute resolution today.”

Rafael Rincón, Co-Editor in Chief, said:
“This 35th Anniversary Edition honours those who launched and expanded, over the years, this publication as a shared platform to exchange knowledge, develop best practices and document the evolution of international arbitration and ADR on a global basis. We brought together leading practitioners, academics, institutional actors and arbitrators to reflect on the evolution of international dispute resolution over the past 35 years and to foster new ideas and challenges for the next 35.”

The 35th Anniversary edition comprises:

• Opening message from the President of the ICC Court
• 35 Years of the ICC Bulletin: Reflections from a global community from the Co-Editors-in-Chief
• The interview room: 35 rapid-fire questions to Alexander G. Fessas, Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration
• In memoriam tributes to Nael Bunni and Karl-Heinz Böckstiegel
• Global developments from Bulgaria, France, Japan, Kyrgyzstan and the United Kingdom
• In-depth articles and keynote speeches:
  • The Extension of Arbitration Agreements to Third Parties in France
  • Anchoring Stability: Navigating Politics Through the Rule of Law
  • Requiem for Civil Law in International Arbitration?
  • The Future Role of the Seat in International Arbitration
  • International Investment Arbitration: Towards an Age of Maturity?
• Practice-oriented pieces:
  • Legal disputes in the art world
  • The truth about cross-cultural B2B relationships. Lessons for international arbitration 
• From the ICC Institute:
  • Updates from the Australasian Chapter: The Tesseract Case; The role of in-house counsel in arbitration
  • Training for tribunal secretaries (in English and Mandarin)
• ICC DRS activities: Report of 12th and 13th ICC Brazilian Arbitration Days
• ICC YAAF:
  • Interview of ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO
  • Tomorrow’s legal leaders
• Book review:
  • The Award in Investment Arbitration
• Case decisions – 35th anniversary edition:
  • Modern international arbitration in the making: 35 Awards from the ICC Archives (1925-1968)