The Serbian-German Arbitration Group focused on events related to energy at its inaugural event in Belgrade on 20 March 2026, a pre-event to the XVI Belgrade Arbitration Conference and the Belgrade Pre-Moot.
Hosted at BDK Advokati, the event was titled "Bridging Legal Cultures: Managing German and Serbian Approaches in Arbitration".
Jörn Hombeck (Hanefeld), Sofia Kovačević (Energy Lawyer at the Energy Community in Vienna), and Jovana Rubežić (CWP Europe), shared their views on the practical and cultural interfaces between German and Serbian arbitration practice in the context of the renewable energy industry. The panel was moderated by Evgenia Peiffer (CMS).
The discussion opened with an overview of the booming energy market in Serbia and the broader Balkan region, and how it compares with the more mature German market. Numerous energy projects are currently under development, and speakers explored emerging business opportunities, recent market trends, and the types of disputes that are likely to arise in the years ahead.
The panel then turned to dispute resolution practices in both jurisdictions, examining how challenges in energy projects can be addressed at the contract-drafting stage through carefully tailored dispute resolution clauses, negotiation periods, mediation, dispute boards, and force majeure or hardship provisions. The discussion also addressed the different approaches and expectations of parties in arbitration, the role of arbitral tribunals, and the practical needs of in-house counsel.
The final segment focused on specific features of German arbitration practice, including the possibility of arbitral tribunals providing early, preliminary, non-binding assessments to the parties. The speakers discussed whether such mechanisms could be implemented and gain traction in Serbia and the wider region, as well as how Serbian clients might perceive such tools as a means of resolving disputes more efficiently.
The Serbian-German Arbitration Group is co-chaired by Dr. Evgenia Peiffer and Blagoje Milošević. Other members include Milica Savić, Radmila Djurdjević, Duncan Grost, Clark Fraser, and Relja Radović.
The Group’s next event will take place during the Berlin Dispute Resolution Days event. For more information on upcoming events and activities, or to join the group’s mailing list, please contact evgenia.peiffer(at)cms-hs.com or b.milosevic(at)schoenherr.rs.
Blagoje Milošević
