A special highlight of the week was the opportunity for DIS Secretary General Ramona Schardt to speak on a panel on Remote Hearings. From the perspective of the DIS and its practical experience in arbitration proceedings, remote hearings are already working very well in practice, and there is currently no need for additional regulation in this area. The discussion clearly showed that arbitration has proven to be a highly adaptable and flexible dispute resolution mechanism in the digital age.
The results of the session of the Working Group II were impressive. The Working Group approved a set of texts aimed at strengthening reliance on arbitral awards and notices, including the implementation of the principle of non-discrimination. Under this principle, digital arbitral awards must be treated the same as non-digital ones with regard to their legal significance, validity and enforceability. These developments will contribute significantly to legal certainty and demonstrate arbitration’s ability to evolve alongside technological progress.
The DIS is grateful to the UNCITRAL Secretariat for the invitation and the opportunity to participate and is proud to be part of such an engaged and forward-looking international arbitration community.
Ramona Schardt