About VIAC

Your Experts for Arbitration and Mediation

When disputes arise between contractual partners, the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC) of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) assists businesses in such cases. State courts are often unable to offer the most cost-effective solution for parties as state court judgements are generally not enforceable worldwide and party autonomy does not play a central role. Thus, arbitration proceedings at VIAC are a welcome alternative.

With its wealth of knowledge and expertise in alternative dispute resolution, the VIAC team provides support with regard to the administration of international and national arbitration and mediation cases. As one of the world’s most recognised international arbitration institutions, VIAC has the highest level of knowledge and a know-how in this area. Due to its geographical location in the heart of Europe, VIAC has a long tradition and in-depth knowledge of the Central and Eastern European and Southern Eastern European region (CEE/SEE).

As a neutral institution and competent partner before, during and after a dispute has arisen, we process disputes quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.

The VIAC team supports

Services as Administering Authority

The Structure of VIAC

• The VIAC Secretariat, headed by our Secretary General and her deputy, is the administrative body responsible for the administration of the case load on a day-to-day basis as well as representing the arbitration centre on a national and international level.
• The VIAC Board consisting of high-calibre experts from the international arbitration community, makes binding decisions on the choice of arbitrators, challenges to arbitrators, consolidations of proceedings, and supports in shaping the strategic direction of the arbitration centre.
• The VIAC Mediation Advisory Board provides guidance in the field of mediation, both nationally and internationally.
• The VIAC International Advisory Board provides advice and support in the international field of arbitration.
• The VIAC Domestic Advisory Board provides knowledge and expertise on alternative dispute resolution in Austria.

The high standards to which we hold our services are based on the principles and values on which VIAC has been established:

Half a Century of Combined Expertise

VIAC was founded as an interface between the East and West in 1975, in the middle of the Cold War.

As a result, an attractive offering for the business community was established and has gradually grown from strength to strength:

• In 2013, VIAC introduced its services as an appointing authority in an Annex to the Vienna Rules (Annex 4)
• In 2013, mediation rules were offered by VIAC for the first time also in the form of an Annex to the Vienna Rules (Annex 5)
• Until 2017, VIAC offered its’ arbitration and mediation services only for international parties (i.e. at least one party was not from Austria)
• In 2018, VIAC added purely domestic arbitration proceedings to its portfolio (both parties from Austria)
• In 2018, the mediation rules were published to be a stand-alone set of mediation rules
• In 2021, the first set of stand-alone investment arbitration and mediation rules were published
• In 2021, VIAC introduced its services as an administrative authority in an Annex to the Vienna Rules (Annex 5)
• In 2021, VIAC also introduced supplementary rules for disputes relation to succession

Pioneering Role as an Arbitration Institution in CEE/SEE

Based on many years of experience, VIAC plays a pioneering role in the field of alternative dispute resolution in the CEE and SEE region. Due to its geographical proximity and the historical and cultural connection, VIAC served as the primary contact point for parties from CEE/SEE before 1990.

VIAC strives to promote ADR services in markets and regions where ADR is still somewhat less-developed and sees this as an important additional service. VIAC provides support in the form of practical legal know-how and specific expertise. The versatile VIAC board of outstanding practitioners and experts boasting high-level expertise and experience in international arbitration, as well as an experienced and competent secretariat make this possible. Through the VIAC Community Ambassador Network (VIAC CAN), VIAC ensures that thought leadership is given an even greater platform for action.

Over the past decades, VIAC has deepened and broadened its expertise in the realm of dispute resolution which has resulted in VIAC’s pioneering role today.