IE Law School hosts strategic debate on the future of arbitration at ICCA 2026

IE Law School played a prominent role at the ICCA Congress 2026—one of the most influential global gatherings in international arbitration—by hosting, in collaboration with CIIAM and Jus Mundi, a session focused on the evolving geography of the field.

Held in Madrid from April 12 to 15, 2026, the 27th edition of the congress, organized by the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), marked its first-ever edition in Spain. The event brought together more than 1,500 international experts, including lawyers, arbitrators, academics and institutional leaders, positioning Madrid as a global arbitration hub.

As part of the program, IE Law School hosted the session “The New Geography of International Arbitration” on April 15 at its Aula Magna. The event was opened by Eugenia Castrillón, Vice Dean of Programs at IE Law School, who welcomed attendees and highlighted the institution’s commitment to innovation in legal education and to training lawyers capable of operating in an increasingly complex and globalized legal environment.

Moderated by Omar Puertas (Harvey, Spain), the panel featured leading practitioners from key jurisdictions: Wei Sun (Zhong Lun Law Firm, China), Lara Hammoud (Independent Arbitrator, UAE), Simón Navarro (Sidley Austin LLP, USA, IE Law School graduate), and Andrea Hulbert (Hulbert Volio Abogados, Costa Rica).

The discussion explored how international arbitration is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by shifting economic power, regional developments and regulatory changes. Speakers highlighted the growing prominence of arbitration hubs in regions such as China and the Gulf, the increasing complexity and cross-border nature of disputes, and the interaction between domestic and international legal frameworks. The panel also addressed broader themes such as constitutional tensions in Latin America, as well as the ongoing evolution of arbitration across jurisdictions.

The session aligned closely with the overarching theme of ICCA 2026, which examined how global forces—including technology, policy and economic shifts—are redrawing the map of international arbitration and reshaping the skills required of legal professionals.