Arbitral Insights

In this first episode of the podcast series, “After the award: trends in arbitration challenges,” Clément Fouchard and Erwan Robert discuss key findings from the France chapter of Reed Smith’s International Arbitration Report 2025. They will explore what the data reveals about success rates, grounds for challenge, timelines, cost consequences, and the practical implications for arbitration strategy. This episode is part of a global miniseries examining court challenges to arbitration awards across leading arbitral seats.

Host Gautam Bhattacharyya welcomes Jasbir Dhillon KC of Brick Court Chambers for this episode of Spotlight on… Jasbir reflects on swapping a childhood dream of becoming a footballer for a career in law, drawn not by any personal connections to the profession but by the eloquent barristers of a television courtroom drama. The conversation covers the mentors who have inspired him, his commitment to encouraging young people to pursue a career at the Bar, how he built his practice, and some of his recent significant cases. Jasbir also shares what his Sikh and Punjabi heritage means to him and how it has shaped his openness and sensitivity to other cultures in understanding disputes with an international dimension.

Host Gautam Bhattacharyya welcomes Niranjan Venkatesan KC of One Essex Court for this episode of Spotlight on… Niranjan discusses what drew him to the Commercial Bar in London and the mentors who have enriched his career along the way, reflecting on how heritage shapes who we are and what we can all learn from professional athletes.

Reed Smith lawyers Trisha Mitra-Veber and Pratheeba Vachiraveel join host and international arbitration partner, Gautam Bhattacharyya for the second of four episodes in our series celebrating SAHM 2026. Our speakers reflect on their paths to the law, the mentors who have guided them, uplifting the next generation of women in the profession, and what heritage means to them.

Host Gautam Bhattacharyya welcomes barrister Chinmayi Sharma of Three Verulam Buildings for this episode of Spotlight on… Chinmayi reflects on her path into the legal profession, the mentors and career highlights that have shaped her journey, and what South Asian heritage means to her personally. The conversation also explores the evolution of India’s legal market and its potential as an arbitration hub.

Andrew Tetley and Clément Fouchard sit down with Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, for the insider's perspective on the new ICC Arbitration Rules. Cutting through the noise, they explore what has changed, why, and what practitioners need to know now.

Daniel Avila is joined by Gerard Meijer (Arbitration Partner at Linklaters) and Marieke Witkamp (Independent Arbitrator at Arbitra International) to discuss the key attributes that make the Netherlands a leading arbitration hub.

The conversation delves into the country's arbitration-friendly judiciary, its role as host to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and the English-language Netherlands Commercial Court. Highlighting its practical, business-focused approach to procedure, the discussion also explores the Netherlands' reputation as an "attachment paradise," its efficient enforcement of domestic awards, and its high confirmation rates for both domestic and international awards. Additionally, the speakers examine the Netherlands' early adoption of innovations like emergency arbitration, consolidation, and e-arbitration.

 

Nishant Choudhary of DFDL Myanmar joins Joyce Fong to unpack Myanmar’s arbitration regime, from the legal framework to enforcement. The discussion explores how Myanmar’s arbitration laws interface with international norms, then turns to the strategic considerations that drive the choice of seat for Myanmar-related disputes. The conversation also assesses the Myanmar courts’ approach to arbitration and enforcement, as well as observable trends in Myanmar-related arbitrations.

Host Joyce Fong and Noppadon (Ton) Treephetchara of DFDL Bangkok discuss Thailand’s arbitration framework, highlighting its Model Law basis, cost-effectiveness, and supportive judiciary. They then compare Thailand with regional alternatives, review institutional preferences (THAC and TAI), and examine local court support. The episode outlines enforcement procedures, timelines, and practical tips, and concludes with trends and THAC’s modernization efforts.  

This episode is recorded in Spanish.

Francisco Rodriguez and Gilberto Guerrero-Rocca explore how Latin American states have developed sophisticated, long-term strategies to defend against treaty-based claims. The episode examines the unique challenges these sovereign “repeat players” face, such as budget constraints, political pressures, and transparency issues. The discussion highlights the evolving tactics and contradictions in how these states approach international arbitration.