On 2 May 2024, the DIS Sponsorship Award 2023/2024 was awarded at the DIS Spring event. This was the twelfth time that the DIS Sponsorship Award was presented for an outstanding academic paper (e.g. dissertation, post-doctoral thesis) in the field of alternative dispute resolution. A total of 15 academic works were submitted.
The jury, consisting of Siegfried H. Elsing, Joachim Münch, Dorothee Ruckteschler and Ingeborg Schwenzer, exceptionally decided to award only one prize this year: the dissertation of Emmanuel O. Igbokwe entitled "Dealing with Bribery and Corruption in International Commercial Arbitration: To Investigate or Not to Investigate".
The paper examines the question of whether arbitrators in international commercial arbitration are entitled, or even obliged, to investigate allegations of bribery or corruption on their own initiative. The dissertation will also make concrete proposals. The jury expects the dissertation to have a lasting impact on future professional discussions.
The winner will receive a cash prize of EUR 10,000.
The DIS congratulates the winner on his outstanding achievement and thanks the jury for their tireless efforts!
List of participants