News from the Secretary General

Newsletter 01/2024 - News from the Secretary General

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Dear Members and Friends of the DIS,

It has been a year since I assumed the position of Secretary General of the DIS and it has been a very rewarding time for me. I have seen first-hand the invaluable contribution that arbitration and the DIS make in providing an independent, neutral, and impartial forum for the resolution of disputes.

We have achieved a lot in 2023 and I am pleased to share some of the highlights with you:

  • First, we can report a record year, with a total of 191 cases managed by us. This underlines the growing importance and confidence of our users in the services provided by the DIS (detailed statistics will be available shortly). 
  • In September 2023, we successfully launched a modern and efficient electronic case management system, "DIS eFile", which enables even faster and more efficient handling of arbitration cases. The response so far has been very positive, and thirteen cases are already being managed by the new system.
  • Various events organised by the DIS in 2023 demonstrate the growing appeal of the DIS to international practitioners. The DIS Autumn Conference 2023, held during the Berlin Dispute Resolution Days, attracted a record of 381 delegates from 22 countries. We were overwhelmed to see so many DIS members and great lawyers from around the world at the Axica in Berlin. Through targeted other initiatives and activities – for example in Sao Paulo, Beijing, New York, Sofia and Vienna - we have expanded our global reach and raised the profile of the DIS internationally.
  • By signing the Green Pledge, the DIS reaffirmed its commitment to environmentally sustainable arbitration and our willingness to take action.
  • The DIS team has been strengthened and expanded with the addition of seven talented colleagues who bring their expertise, international backgrounds, and passion to move DIS forward together. Eight dedicated colleagues now work in our Berlin office, further strengthening DIS's presence and activities in the German capital.
DIS Team in Berlin
  • The historic villa in Bad Godesberg has become a lively venue for a variety of events. From training courses to networking events and retreats, we have organised a wide range of activities to promote exchange and collaboration. The highlight was certainly our summer party in August, which was very well received, and which we are planning again this year.

More on our activities in 2023 at our Annual General Meeting and in our Activity Report to be published soon. Please stay tuned.

With that I would like to thank all DIS members, DIS volunteers and my dedicated team for their continued support over the past year. I look forward to working with you in 2024.

Yours sincerely,

Ramona Schardt

 

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