The Cross-Institutional Task Force on Gender Diversity in Arbitral Appointments and Proceedings has released a Report detailing and analysing information and recent statistics on the appointment of female arbitrators, as well as identifying opportunities and best practices to promote gender diversity in international arbitration.
Amongst other findings, the Report concludes that gender diversity in arbitral tribunals is increasing, with the number of female arbitrators appointed to tribunals doubling in the past four years. However, in 2019 women only comprised just over 21% of arbitrator appointees, underlining the need for continued improvement. The Report identifies opportunities for advancing gender diversity among arbitrators and highlights various tools available for arbitration users.
The Report is published as the eighth volume of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) Reports Series. Nicola Peart, an associate in the Washington, DC office of Three Crowns and member of the Task Force, worked closely with its Chair, Carolyn Lamm, to prepare the Report.
“The Report is a significant achievement for all those involved in the Task Force,” says Peart. “I was honoured to play a central role in gathering and publishing this valuable data, as well as helping compile opportunities to promote women in the profession. As a young female practitioner, it is encouraging to see the commitment of those on the Task Force to greater diversity across our field.”
In addition to Three Crowns, the Task Force includes representatives of the following organisations: ArbitralWomen; the American Bar Association (ABA); Burford Capital; the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge (ERA); Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP; the German Arbitration Institute (DIS); the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC); the International Bar Association (IBA); the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID); the International Chamber of Commerce International Court of Arbitration (ICC); the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA); the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR); the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA); the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC); the University of Sydney; the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC); and White & Case LLP.
To access the Report on Kluwer Arbitration, please click here.
To access the Report on the ICCA website, please click here.
ABOUT Nicola Peart
Peart has experience representing private parties and States before international courts and tribunals, including in arbitration proceedings conducted under the auspices of the ICC, LCIA, PCA, UNCITRAL, and WIPO rules, as well as ad hoc proceedings.
She has an active pro bono practice, with a particular interest in environmental law and human rights. In addition to being a member of the Cross-Institutional Task Force on Gender Diversity in International Arbitral Appointments and Proceedings, she is a member of the ICC Task Force on Arbitration of Climate Change Related Disputes.
ABOUT THREE CROWNS
Three Crowns is a firm committed to excellence in international arbitration and international law. Founded by practice leaders with decades of experience across many different international firms, it is regarded as “one of the premier arbitration practices in the world.” Its clients—including Fortune 10 companies and sovereign states—entrust the firm with their most important disputes.
During this challenging time, the Three Crowns team across the globe is here to listen to the issues you are facing and provide advice surrounding arbitration and disputes, whether directly related to COVID-19 or otherwise. Please do not hesitate to reach out to talk through ways we can help.