UNCITRAL Working Group II Session in New York

Newsletter 2/2026 - News

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DIS Secretary General Ramona Schardt spoke on the panel on Remote Hearings at the United Nations as part of the UNCITRAL Working Group II session which took place from 16 to 20 February 2026 in New York.

After discussing remote and hybrid hearings in arbitration and further regulations in these areas on the panel Dr. Schardt is positive that international arbitration is capable of adaptability and flexibility when evolving and improving in the digital era.

The DIS, who holds an observer status at UNCITRAL also accompanied the rest of the working groups 83rd session on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Dispute Resolution and Remote Hearing in Arbitration and Mediation with great interest.

As an overall result of the session, UNCITRAL Working Group II has approved a set of texts enhancing the reliance on arbitral awards and notices. This includes the implementation of the principle of non-discrimination. According to the principal of non-discrimination a digital arbitral award shall be treated the same as non-digital ones regarding legal significance, validity and enforceability. These important steps will provide greater certainty for those involved in arbitration and ensure the capability of arbitration as a functioning dispute resolution method when facing new technologies.

The session and the panel were therefore a great success and the DIS e.V. thanks the UNCITRAL Secretariat for the invitation and opportunity to contribute.

Carla Mackensen
 

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