The Stonebridge Legal team took part in a major study on the appointment of arbitrators in disputes involving Russia, conducted by Russian Women in Arbitration (RWA) covering the period 2019–2024. We shared our experience in handling arbitration disputes and our approach to selecting arbitrators, and we are now sharing with you the most interesting findings from this research.
The study is based on a survey of more than 20 leading Russian law firms, as well as four arbitration institutions — RAC, HKIAC, ICC and VIAC. The findings confirm the central point: an arbitrator’s expertise, experience and standing remain the key factors in the selection process. Stonebridge Legal follows this principle precisely when appointing arbitral tribunals in each case.
Of particular interest are the following emerging trends. Since 2022, Russian parties have placed greater emphasis on the nationality, place of residence and political neutrality of arbitrators. In response to these considerations, the geographical scope of appointments has expanded: demand for arbitrators from Asia, the Middle East and Latin America has grown, although arbitrators from the UK and Europe remain highly sought after.
A significant part of the study covers gender and age diversity. Between 2022 and 2024, 91 per cent of the firms surveyed nominated female arbitrators for international disputes. Women are more frequently appointed as associate arbitrators and less frequently as chairpersons of the tribunal. However, 78 per cent of respondents do not believe that gender affects professional qualities. In large disputes, preference is given to arbitrators aged 46–60; however, 74 per cent of firms see advantages in younger arbitrators under the age of 40: they are tech-savvy, open to unconventional approaches and keen to prove themselves.
Roman Butenko, PhD in Law, Dispute Resolution Practice Partner at Stonebridge Legal, commented:
“Our team regularly deals with the composition of arbitral tribunals in disputes where we represent our clients’ interests. Participating in this study therefore allowed us not only to contribute to the development of the arbitration community, but also to align our approach with evolving market trends. We can see how geopolitics and the parties’ changing expectations are reshaping the profile of the ideal arbitrator, and we take this into account in our approach to each new case.”
The full text of the study is available via the link.