The Madrid International Arbitration Centre – Ibero-American Arbitration Centre (CIAM-CIAR) has announced the appointment of two new directors. Elisa Vicente has been named Legal Director and Michelle Vasco has been appointed Business Development Director. Vicente brings 15 years of international arbitration experience from Garrigues, while Vasco offers expertise in commercial and investment disputes. These appointments are part of CIAM-CIAR's dual leadership model, which aims to enhance case management capabilities and expand its international presence following its recent alliance with CAM Santiago.

The International Arbitration Centre of Madrid – Ibero-American Arbitration Centre (CIAM-CIAR) has published a report titled 'Arbitration and Artificial Intelligence. Principles and recommendations for the use of AI systems in arbitration proceedings' on 28 November 2025. The report, produced by CIAM-CIAR's Working Group on Digital Economy and Intellectual Property, establishes principles for arbitral tribunals to incorporate AI systems while maintaining legal certainty, preserving arbitration principles, and ensuring procedural integrity and confidentiality. The recommendations address compliance with applicable regulations, particularly European AI and data protection regulations, and cover predictive, generative and agentic AI systems. The document identifies potential benefits including efficiency, cost reduction and error identification, while highlighting risks such as biases, hallucinations, opacity and impacts on procedural principles. The report emphasises that arbitral tribunals remain responsible for ensuring AI system compliance with applicable arbitral proceedings rules and that arbitrators retain sole decision-making authority. The Working Group intends the report to serve as the foundation for a future practical guide for institutions, courts and professionals.

The Madrid International Arbitration Center – Ibero-American Arbitration Center (CIAM-CIAR) Working Group on International Arbitration published its seventh report titled Expert Determination. This document explores Expert Determination (ED) as a binding alternative dispute resolution method, particularly suited to technical and commercial disputes. It outlines the procedural framework, including the contractual basis, expert appointment, and the role of nominating entities. ED is distinguished by its speed, cost-efficiency, confidentiality, and reliance on subject-matter expertise, with the expert’s decision being final and enforceable by prior agreement of the parties.

The Madrid International Arbitration Center - Ibero-American Arbitration Center (CIAM-CIAR) has published a report from its Digital Economy and Intellectual Property Working Group analysing the benefits, risks and safeguards linked to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in international arbitration. The report highlights key principles such as respect for party autonomy, protection of confidentiality and procedural integrity, arbitrator responsibility and oversight of decisions and the importance of traceability and regulatory compliance. It also sets out initial guidelines to inform the future development of CIAM-CIAR Rules on the Use of AI in International Arbitrations.

The Madrid International Arbitration Centre-Ibero-American Arbitration Centre (CIAM-CIAR) has published a survey for companies in construction and infrastructure, to understand how CIAM-CIAR can assist the companies with arbitration and other dispute resolution techniques. The survey asks companies about the effectiveness of certain construction contract dispute resolution methods, how often disputes lead to litigation and arbitration and if the disputes affect more than one contract.

The International Arbitration Centre of Madrid – Ibero-American Arbitration Centre (CIAM-CIAR) has reported substantial growth in its arbitration activities since its establishment in 2020. The Centre has managed 53 cases with an aggregate value of €280m, with 18 cases registered in 2024 alone, totalling nearly €128m. CIAM-CIAR has noted improvements in efficiency, with abbreviated cases now averaging 11 months in duration. Notably, half of the 2024 cases originated from CIAM-CIAR clauses in contracts, a significant increase from previous years. The Centre also highlighted its commitment to diversity, with 31% of arbitrators being women, rising to 75% when appointed directly by CIAM-CIAR. Furthermore, 79% of arbitrators hail from Ibero-American countries, underscoring the Centre's regional focus.

an ADR organisation who promote arbitration, mediation and adjudication, see: http://www.ciarb.org/

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and the Adjudication Society have released updated guidance notes for construction adjudication. The four notes provide guidance on the Scheme for Construction Contracts, construction contracts and construction operations, natural justice and adjudicator’s liens.

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) has announced the launch of its new branch situated in Saudi Arabia. CIArb now has a global network of 44 branches which connects more than 17,500 professional members across 150 jurisdictions. CIArb noted that its membership in Saudi Arabia has recently grown to over 270 members.

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) has announced the appointment of Professor Dr Mohamed Abdel Wahab C.Arb FCIArb as its new President for 2025. As the first President from Egypt and Africa, Professor Wahab aims to promote CIArb's role in thought leadership, global capacity building and diversity within alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Professor Wahab plans to collaborate with CIArb's 44 global Branches to foster a more diverse and inclusive membership, whilst supporting the qualification of more professionals as dispute resolvers. Professor Wahab emphasises the critical importance of ethics and integrity in ADR, describing them as indispensable to maintaining trust and confidence in private dispute resolution mechanisms. This appointment marks a significant step in CIArb's commitment to global representation and ethical practice in the field of ADR.

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) has published an analysis exploring the application of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) to reverse auctions in public procurement. The article highlights ongoing debates regarding whether these processes fall under the Article 2(b) CISG exclusion for sales by auction. CIArb notes that the CISG Advisory Council has appointed a rapporteur to address this issue in an upcoming Opinion. The analysis also discusses recent case law and international practices, including a Swiss Federal Supreme Court decision applying CISG to a government contract and Brazilian examples of explicit CISG references in procurement processes.

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) has launched a consultation on its proposed third-party funding guideline for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practitioners. The document aims to provide ADR practitioners with guidance on managing funded claims and assist tribunals with case management of funded matters. The guideline was developed by a 12 member drafting group, including practitioners and funders. CIArb is seeking feedback from members and non-members until 17 June 2025.