News from the Secretary General

The year is coming to an end - a good moment to pause and look back on the past months. In New York, Singapore, Vaduz and here in Berlin, at the successful FDI Moot Conference, we promoted international dialogue and further increased the visibility of the DIS in global arbitration.

New DIS40 Co-Chairs

DIS40 has appointed Marie Christine Grueger, Polina Lehmann and Sebastian Wuschka as Co-Chairs. They will work with Christoph Gramlich-Altenburg, Nadja Harraschain and Christian Steger to further the DIS40 mission of promoting arbitration and alternative dispute resolution among young practitioners in Germany and abroad.

Bilateral Arbitration Groups

The DIS started to establish with our sister organizations Bilateral Arbitration Groups to foster a regular interaction with peers abroad. We have established eight such groups with the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Egypt, Denmark, France, Georgia and Poland that have started to build bridges and offer annual seminars to all interested to join.

Modernisation of Arbitration Law in the Parliamentary Committee for Legal Affairs

While it appeared that the reform of the arbitration law would not be completed within the current legislative period, the legislative process will now continue.

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DIS Rhine/Ruhr: Wish List for the Federal Court of Justice – When does an Arbitral Award stand? A pre-Christmas Look at the latest Case Law

As the year draws to a close and the scent of mulled wine fills the air, it is time for reflection – and time to reflect on arbitration case law. We invite you to an inspiring keynote speech by Dr Thomas Winter, a lawyer at the Federal Court of Justice.

DIS and DIS40 Berlin - Celebrate the Season at a Berlin Weihnachtsmarkt

The DIS Berlin and the DIS40 Berlin regional groups are delighted to invite you to our Season’s Celebration! Join us for an evening filled with warmth, cheer, and networking as we come together to enjoy the magic of Berlin’s Weihnachtsmarkt.

Upcoming Event: Lecture on the Requirements of European Union Law for Arbitration

We would like to draw your attention to the following upcoming event.

Lunch DIScussions: Three Courses on the Significance of the AI Regulation for Arbitral Proceedings

The European Union's AI Regulation is the focus of much attention. We invite you to join us at this edition of the Lunch DIScussions to explore the implications of using AI in arbitration and the relevant provisions of the AI Regulation.

Jecke DIS - the Carnival Party 2025

It's that time of year again: the fifth season in the Rhineland. In accordance with the Cologne constitution, § 8, ‘Mach et jot ävver nit ze off’ and § 10 ‘Drinkste ene met?’, we would like to start a new successful year with DIS in a relaxed manner and with a smile on our faces.

Save the Date: Upcoming DIS Events in 2025 and 2026

We are pleased to announce the dates of some DIS events for the years 2025 and 2026. We will keep you informed as soon as concrete information becomes available. Stay tuned.

Lunch DIScussions: Arbitration – Green Hydrogen – Renewable Energy: African Perspectives

The Lunch DIScussions on 10 October 2024 featured a lively discussion with perspectives from South Africa, Namibia, Morocco and Tunisia – all important partners for Germany’s energy transition and the ambitious plans to build a global green hydrogen industry.

DIS Frankfurt: Anti-(Anti-)Suit Injunctions 2.0 – Do we Need a New Approach?

On Tuesday, 29 October 2024, the DIS Regional Group Frankfurt hosted its second event, bringing together around 80 arbitration law practitioners to discuss “Anti-(Anti-)Suit Injunctions – Is a New Approach Needed?”.

Lunch DIScussions: DIS Rules Lab – Practice Group Technology – Draft Final Report

On 14 November 2024, DIS hosted a panel discussion as part of the Lunch DIScussions series, featuring the three co-heads of the DIS Rules Lab's Practice Group on Technology.

DIS Rhine/Ruhr: How Digital should/must Arbitration Proceedings be Today?

On Thursday, 7 November 2024, the newly established DIS Regional Group Rhein/Ruhr hosted an enriching event titled “How Digital Should/Must Arbitration Be Today?”.

DIS Berlin: Fast, Uncomplicated, Affordable? The new Dispute Resolution Procedure under the Digital Services Act

Who has heard of HateAid and UserRights? Or, to put it another way, who hasn't? On 19 November 2024, the members of the Berlin DIS group had a prime opportunity to find out.

ELSA's visit to the DIS in Bonn

On 19 November 2024, the German Arbitration Institute (DIS), in collaboration with the Bonn Faculty Group of the European Law Students' Association (ELSA Bonn e.V.), welcomed students from the University of Bonn for a unique opportunity to gain insight into the exciting field of arbitration.

DIS Stuttgart: Recent German Supreme Court Decisions in Arbitration Matters

On 14 November 2024, the DIS Regional Group in Stuttgart hosted an engaging event featuring Gottfried Hammer, Attorney at the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH).

DIS Munich: The Future is Now – Technology in Arbitration

On 19 November 2024, the DIS Reginal Group Munich, led by Alice Broichmann and Jan Ahrens, held an inspiring event on Technology in Arbitration. The event featured a distinguished panel comprising Paul Hauser (Clifford Chance), Thomas Riehm (University of Passau), and Viola de Blécourt (Hengeler Mueller) as the moderator.

DIS@SAD: To be, or not to be Sandwiched – The new DIS Supplementary Rules for Third-Party Notices

Everyone seems to like sandwiches but hardly anyone likes to be sandwiched in a dispute. Still, there are many situations in which being sandwiched is the ill fate of a contractual party. This event takes place in the framework of the Swedish Arbitration Days.

Save the Date: Vierländerkonferenz 2025

We invite you to the Vierländerkonferenz 2025, which we are hosting together with the Austrian Arbitration Association (Arb|Aut), the Liechtenstein Arbitration Association (LIS), the Swiss Arbitration Association, the Swiss Arbitration Centre and the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC).

Save the Date: Upcoming DIS-supported Events

In the coming months, the DIS will be supporting a number of interesting events related to international arbitration. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Stay tuned.

Arbitration in Japan and Germany: Common Traditions, new Challenges and Future Collaboration

On 16 October 2024, arbitration practitioners and legal experts from Japan and Germany gathered at the Japanese embassy in Berlin for the conference Arbitration in Japan and Germany: Common Traditions, New Challenges, and Future Collaboration.

DIS@SAF: To be, or not to be Sandwiched – The new DIS Supplementary Rules for Third-Party Notices

There is a practical need for preventing the recourse trap, be it in construction projects, supply chains, IP licensing arrangements or M&A situations. That was a takeaway at the recent DIS event on 29 October 2024 during the Seoul ADR Festival.

FDI Moot Conference: The Rule of Law and the Future of Investment Protection

We are reflecting on a highly successful conference in Berlin, where over 100 participants gathered to discuss “The Rule of Law and the Future of Investment Protection”. A big thank you to everyone involved for making this day so impactful. We also appreciate the support of our partners, Humboldt University and DIHK, in making this event possible.

FDI Moot: Global Rounds 2024

The DIS, jointly with the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, hosted the 2024 Global Finals of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Moot in Berlin from 1st to 4th November 2024.

DIS@NYAW: To be, or not to be Sandwiched – The new DIS Supplementary Rules for Third-Party Notices

On 21 November 2024, the DIS returned to New York with a second edition of its DIS@NYAW event. As in the last year, we wanted to engage again with our American peers on a current topic of mutual interest.

Vierländerkonferenz 2024

On 22 November 2024, this year's Four Countries Conference (Vierländerkonferenz) took place in Liechtenstein, hosted by the Liechtenstein Arbitration Association (LIS) and organised by the Arb|Aut, the DIS, the LIS, the ASA, the Swiss Arbitration Centre and the VIAC.

DIScover Arbitration "Made in Germany"

On 22 November 2024, the German Arbitration Institute (DIS) hosted its DIScover Arbitration event at the stunning Art Lounge rooftop in Athens, as part of the Athens Arbitration Days 2024.

DIS Conference 2024: Higher, Faster, Further? Drivers of Innovation in Arbitration

Successful Start of the German Arbitration Digest (GAD)

Since its inception, the German Arbitration Digest (GAD) has released numerous summaries of recent significant decisions by the German Federal Court of Justice and various higher regional courts in the realm of international commercial and investment arbitration.

SchiedsVZ, Issue 5/24

We are pleased to announce that issue 5/24 of the SchiedsVZ has been published with the following articles.

The DIS Rules on Expert Determination (DIS-SchGO) in Practice

Expert determination provides a preliminary binding decision on a specific factual issue, often facilitating an amicable resolution of a wider dispute. It is frequently utilised for determining property values and handling company transactions.