Diversity in International Arbitration

Why it Matters and How to Sustain It

Edited by Shahla F. Ali, Professor and Associate Dean (International) and Director, Program in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, Faculty of Law, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Filip Balcerzak, Associate Professor (Research), Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland, Giorgio Fabio Colombo, Professor, Graduate School of Law, Nagoya University, Japan and Joshua Karton, Associate Professor and Associate Dean, Faculty of Law, Queen’s University, Canada

After decades of focus on harmonization, which for too many represents no more than Western legal dominance and a largely homogeneous arbitration practitioner community, this ground-breaking book explores the increasing attention being paid to the need for greater diversity in the international arbitration ecosystem. It examines diversity in all its forms, investigating how best to develop an international arbitral order that is not just tolerant of diversity, but that sustains and promotes diversity in concert with harmonized practices.

‘Ali, Balcerzak, Colombo, and Karton have edited a unique tour-de-force of diversity issues ranging from personal identity to legal culture to environmental impact. The editors have compiled an impressive anthology of approaches to fostering diversity from a “who's who” of authors making an impact on the ground already in this space. This is a must-read book for any law firm lawyers, corporate counsel, organizational leaders, arbitration institution administrators, and concerned arbitrators looking for ways to increase the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) savviness of their organizations and independent practices.’
– Victoria Sahani, Boston University, US

‘Two generations ago, the international arbitration community comprised an arcane brotherhood – a mafia of the pale, male and stale. “[O]ur own cultures are largely invisible to us; they are simply our “common sense” understandings of the world.” The fascinating chapters in this book lift the veil on unconscious biases, demonstrating how inclusion is crucial to maintaining the legitimacy of arbitration today. I love it!’
– Louise Barrington, Arbitrator, co-founder of ArbitralWomen and of Hong Kong’s Vis East Moot