On 4 June 2025, the DIS, supported by the DIS40 and the YRAP (Young Romanian Arbitration Practitioners), organized an event titled "DIScover Settlement Facilitation in Arbitration: German and CEE Perspectives" in Bucharest.
The event was focused on the DIS experience and approach to settlement facilitation, as well as its growing importance for effective dispute resolution.
Paul Buta (Mușat & Asociații) and Sebastian Metz (AHK Romania) opened the event with welcome remarks, emphasizing Romania’s strong international ties, particularly with Germany. Stefan Kröll (DIS) introduced the DIS and explained why the DIS Rules are a suitable choice for CEE arbitrations seated in Romania or elsewhere. Ivan Petrov (DIS) presented tools and procedures to foster settlements, including Articles 26–27 of the DIS Rules, Annex 3 on procedural efficiency, and the ADR Toolbox. He also shared case statistics and noted that Romania ranks among the top five CEE countries involved in DIS proceedings.
The second session, moderated by Evgenia Pfeifer (CMS), featured distinguished speakers: Cristina Alexe (ACEADVISOR) outlined Romanian principles on settlements and impartiality. Malgorzata Surdek-Janicka (Surdek Arbitration) discussed differences in generations and legal cultures. She focused on insights from arbitrations seated in Eastern Europe. Stefan Kröll shared some "war stories," emphasizing the importance of timing and tribunal engagement. Iuliana Iacob (Mușat & Asociații) discussed early client strategies and decision trees. Rumen Cholakov (3VB), who joined remotely from New York, offered a common law perspective on settlements and their effects on the conduct of arbitration.
With around 50 participants, the event demonstrated a strong interest in structured settlement facilitation and strengthened the ties between the German and Romanian arbitration communities.
We thank Mușat & Asociații for their generous hospitality.
Ivan Petrov and Kseniia Stepanova