Dear Members and Friends of the DIS,
It has been a year since I assumed the position of Secretary General of the DIS and it has been a very rewarding time for me. I have seen first-hand the invaluable contribution that arbitration and the DIS make in providing an independent, neutral, and impartial forum for the resolution of disputes.
We have achieved a lot in 2023 and I am pleased to share some of the highlights with you:
- First, we can report a record year, with a total of 191 cases managed by us. This underlines the growing importance and confidence of our users in the services provided by the DIS (detailed statistics will be available shortly).
- In September 2023, we successfully launched a modern and efficient electronic case management system, "DIS eFile", which enables even faster and more efficient handling of arbitration cases. The response so far has been very positive, and thirteen cases are already being managed by the new system.
- Various events organised by the DIS in 2023 demonstrate the growing appeal of the DIS to international practitioners. The DIS Autumn Conference 2023, held during the Berlin Dispute Resolution Days, attracted a record of 381 delegates from 22 countries. We were overwhelmed to see so many DIS members and great lawyers from around the world at the Axica in Berlin. Through targeted other initiatives and activities – for example in Sao Paulo, Beijing, New York, Sofia and Vienna - we have expanded our global reach and raised the profile of the DIS internationally.
- By signing the Green Pledge, the DIS reaffirmed its commitment to environmentally sustainable arbitration and our willingness to take action.
