International Arbitration Trends and Topics for 2025

There were many topics that captured the international arbitration community’s interest in 2024.

Arbitrator conflicts of interest and disclosure issues dominated discussions, particularly following issuance of the International Bar Association’s revised Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration, while the Russia-Ukraine war and other geopolitical events continued to have far-reaching impacts on disputes, from increasing tensions within the energy industry amidst rising prices to creating uncertainty in light of a proliferating sanctions regimes. We expect that 2025 similarly will herald a number of interesting developments in international arbitration.

This article summarizes what are likely to be key trends and emerging topics in international arbitration in 2025, including: (1) policy reforms caused by political changes and new administrations in key arbitration jurisdictions like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Mexico; (2) the impact of, and potential challenges associated with, the use of artificial intelligence in arbitration proceedings; (3) the post-issuance modification of arbitral awards, which can have an impact on the enforceability of those awards; (4) the complications that sanctions can pose at all stages of an arbitration proceeding; (5) the regulation and potential pitfalls of third-party funding arrangements in arbitration cases; and (6) an uptick in disputes over sustainability or environmental impact concerns in the energy and construction industries, as well as in new and emerging sectors.

Read the full trend series here.