News from the Secretary General

Spring is in the air and so is the buzz of activity at DIS! Our latest statistics are out, showing a significant increase in high-value, complex disputes with a robust international component.

New bilateral DIS Arbitration Groups in Brazil and Finland

Our bilateral arbitration groups (Ländergruppen) are increasing in number! Two new groups have been established, meaning we now have counterparts in Brazil and Finland.

Enhance Your Visibility: Join the DIS Arbitrator Database

At DIS, we continually strive to enhance case management efficiency. An essential aspect of this effort is our arbitrator selection process, which is crucial for both proposing candidates to the parties and appointments by the appointing committee. Our aim is to ensure fair and informed choices for arbitrators.

Arbitration Council of the DIS - change of personnel

DIS is very pleased to announce that Ana Vermal has accepted the invitation to join the Arbitration Council of the DIS. She will replace Maxi Scherer, who resigned from the DIS Council at the end of March 2025.

DIS 2024 Statistics: Stability, International Reach, and High-Value Disputes

The 2024 case statistics of the German Arbitration Institute (DIS) highlight a stable caseload, an increasing number of high-value disputes, and a strong international component.

DIS gets GAR Award Nomination

We are honoured to be shortlisted for the GAR Award in the category “Best innovation by an individual or organisation”!

Cooperation Agreement with the Japan Association of Arbitrators (JAA)

We are pleased to announce that on the occasion of JAA Arbitration Day, the DIS and the Japan Association of Arbitrators (JAA) have formalised their future cooperation.

DIS General Secretary elected as Member of the Council of the IFCAI

The DIS is pleased to announce that its general secretary, Ramona Schardt, has been elected as a member of the Council of the International Federation of Commercial Arbitration Institutions (IFCAI).

DIS Spring Conference 2025: The Revolution of Arbitration – Is Artificial Intelligence a Game-changer?

The German Arbitration Institute (DIS) will host its Spring Conference, focusing on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in dispute resolution, on 7 May 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Save the Date: DIS Summer Party 2025

We would like to invite you to this year's DIS summer party. Celebrate with us in a relaxed atmosphere in our beautiful garden in Bonn.

Lunch DIScussions: Swiss Rules for Corporate Disputes

Corporate disputes are often also heard by arbitral tribunals. While the DIS has developed its own rules for such disputes, Germany lacks any legal regulation.

Promoting Mediation: The DIS organises its third seminar on “Mediating the Vis Case”

In a two-days seminar at the DIS premises in Bonn on 16/17 May 2025, the Vis Moot Court case will be examined from its economic perspective and its potential for amicable settlement.

Upcoming interesting Event

In the coming months, the DIS is pleased to announce an interesting event related to arbitration. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Lunch DIScussions: W&I Insurance Arbitration

The Lunch DIScussions on 13 February 2025 were devoted to a topical issue: Sven Förster, Lars Harzmeier and Oliver Sieg discussed W&I insurance arbitration.

DIS Technology Group – Inaugural Event on  Defining Technology Disputes

On 13 February 2025, the DIS Industry Group Technology co-chaired by Kathrin Asschenfeldt and David Tebel held its inaugural event themed “Defining Technology Disputes”.

Jecke DIS! Our Carnival Party 2025

On Friday 14 February 2025 it was time to get “jeck” (behave somewhat foolishly) at DIS! We celebrated an unforgettable Carnival party with typical Cologne Carnival music, a lively atmosphere and Rhineland delicacies.

Chinese University Delegation visits Bonn to discuss Arbitration

On 20 February, a delegation from Peking University Law School (PKU) visited the German Arbitration Institute (DIS), part of a training programme organised by the German-Chinese Business Association (DCW).

DIS Munich: Post-M&A Disputes

The DIS Regional Group Munich organized a panel discussion on 25 February 2025 regarding post-M&A disputes.

21st Petersberg Arbitration Days 2025

Under the guiding theme of “Climate Change and Renewable Energy”, the 21st Petersberg Arbitration Days were held on 7 and 8 March 2025 at the Steigenberger Grandhotel Petersberg in Königswinter/Bonn.

DIS Frankfurt: Forward-looking Innovations that move the Arbitration Scene and the Legal Profession

On 12 March 2025, the DIS Regional Group Frankfurt gathered at the historic Villa Bonn to discuss pioneering developments – most notably, the possible abolition of the ban on third-party ownership of law firms and third-party funding.

Lunch DIScussions: Post-M&A Disputes – Delivering Deal Value through Financial Disputes

On 13 March 2025, the Lunch DIScussions panel explored post-M&A disputes as strategic tools to deliver deals value.

DIS Stuttgart: A Look behind the Scenes of the Stuttgart Commercial Court

On 13 March 2025, the DIS Regional Group Stuttgart was invited to visit the new premises of the Commercial Court of Baden-Württemberg in Stuttgart.

M&A Excellence Days 2025 – Spotlight on Dispute Resolution

It was a successful premiere: The first-ever M&A Excellence Days in Frankfurt brought together top experts for high-level discussions – and the DIS was right at the heart of it.

Road to Vienna 2025: DIS Pre-Moot Bonn

On 28 and 29 March 2025, the DIS opened its doors for the DIS Pre-Moot Bonn. The event was jointly organized with the Bonn Moot Association (BMA) and served as prelude to the 32 Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot.

DIS@London: Wind Farm Disputes – Global Perspectives

Onshore and offshore wind farms are large and notoriously complex projects that involve heavy financial investment and include numerous players at different levels, from construction planning to operation and maintenance.

XVII Belgrade Open Pre-Moot, supported by DIS

n 2025, the DIS is pleased to once again support the Belgrade Open Pre-Moot, one of the largest pre-moot events in the world.

DIS goes Vis: The Breakfast Multi-Tier Dispute Resolution Clauses

Dear members of the arbitration community: Should you be in Vienna for the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot or on other business please join our breakfast event on 14 April 2025.

Upcoming DIS-supported International Events

In the coming months, the DIS will be supporting a number of interesting events related to international arbitration.

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

In 2025, the DIS is once again organising a side event during the London International Disputes Week.

SchiedsVZ/German Arbitration Journal, Issue 1/25

We are pleased to announce that issue 1/25 of the SchiedsVZ has been published with the following articles.

German Arbitration Digest (GAD) – Recent Summaries

The new DIS Arbitration Sport Rules in DisputeResolution Magazine

Post-M&A Disputes in the Focus of DIS Arbitration in M&A Review 3/2025