Industry Insights: In conversation with Alexander Fessas, Secretary General, ICC International Court of Arbitration

Welcome to HFW Industry Insights: a series of discussions with clients and other leading figures from across our sectors.

In this instalment, we speak with Alexander Fessas, Secretary General at the ICC International Court of Arbitration.

Alexander discusses developments in international arbitration, including the ICC’s milestone 30,000th case and the broader trends shaping disputes globally. He explains how arbitration continues to evolve in response to geopolitical uncertainty, changing business practices, and sustained demand across key sectors.

He examines the challenge of balancing efficiency, cost and due process, outlining steps institutions can take to improve outcomes and highlighting the importance of narrowing disputes and using complementary processes.

Looking ahead, Alexander considers the impact of digitalisation and emerging technologies, as well as increasing competition from national courts. He emphasises the need for arbitration to continue adapting to user expectations and a rapidly evolving dispute resolution landscape.