📌 VIAC at 50: The Legacy and Future of Dispute Resolution in the Heart of Europe
📅 Date: Thursday, 2 October 2025
🕑 Time: 13:30 – 18:15 PM
📍Venue: Christoph-Leitl-Lounge, Wiedner Hauptstraße 63, 1040 Vienna
This landmark event brings together leading figures from international arbitration, politics, diplomacy, and institutions to reflect on VIAC’s historic contribution to international dispute resolution and to explore the path ahead in a shifting global environment. In addition to marking VIAC’s 50th anniversary, the event will serve as a forum of high diplomatic relevance, highlighting Austria’s role as a trusted hub for international dialogue.
©Palais Ferstel, Wien
📅 Date: Thursday, 2 October 2025
🕑 Time: 19:00 – 00:00 PM
📍Venue: Palais Ferstel, Strauchgasse 4, 1010 Vienna
The celebration will conclude with an exclusive Gala Dinner at the historic Palais Ferstel, uniting the international arbitration community for an unforgettable evening in Vienna.
📅 Friday, 3 October 2025
🕑 Time: 10:00 AM – 16:00 PM
📍Christoph-Leitl-Lounge, Wiedner Hauptstraße 63, 1040 Vienna
Co-hosted with the Global Arbitration Review (GAR), Austrian Arbitration Association – Arb|Aut, and Young Austrian Arbitration Practitioners (YAAP), this dynamic event will feature high-level panel discussions, timely insights from leading practitioners, and excellent networking opportunities with the international arbitration community.
👉 Registrations are now open!
We are offering an early bird rate until 12 September 2025.
🔗 Register here: GAR Live Vienna 2025 Registration
We look forward to welcoming you to Vienna for this exceptional two-day celebration of arbitration and community!
2 Oct - Welcome coffee and registration (13:30 - 14:00 CET)
2 Oct - Welcome remarks (14:00 - 14:05 CET)
Nikolaus Pitkowitz, President, Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC), Partner, Pitkowitz & Partners
2 Oct - Opening remarks: Austrian Minister of Justice Anna Sporrer (14:05 - 14:20 CET)
2 Oct - Keynote - geopolitical tensions and the promise of neutral forums: the Vienna perspective (14:20 - 14:50 CET)
2 Oct - VIAC handbook third edition presentation (14:50 - 15:05 CET)
Niamh Leinwather, Secretary General, Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC)
2 Oct - Viennese coffee house break (15:05 - 15:35 CET)
2 Oct - Keynote: in the eye of the storm - arbitration's contribution to a cohesive Europe (15:35 - 16:05 CET)
2 Oct - The future of dispute resolution in a changing Europe: the role of VIAC (16:05 - 17:20 CET)
Discussion topics include:
- Investor-state dispute settlements
- Rise of artificial intelligence in arbitration
- Energy transition in the next 50 years
- Re-building Ukraine in the next 50 years – does or can VIAC play a role?
Moderator: Patrizia Netal, vice-president, Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC), partner, KNOETZL
Panel:
Ina C. Popova, partner, Debevoise & Plimpton
Galina Zukova, partner, ZUK OVA Legal, associate professor, University of Versailles
2 Oct - Closing remarks (17:20 - 17:50 CET)
Join Franz Schwarz as he outlines VIAC in the next 50 years and future plans
Franz Schwarz, vice-president, Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC), global vice-chair – international arbitration group, WilmerHale
3 Oct - Welcome coffee and registration (10:00 - 10:30 CET)
3 Oct - Chairs' opening remarks (10:30 - 10:40 CET)
Alice Fremuth-Wolf, head of Austria & CEE, Nivalion AG, Austrian Arbitration Association
Niamh Leinwather, secretary general, Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC)
Stephanie Rohmann, associate, Baker McKenzie, Young Austrian Arbitration Practitioners (YAAP)
3 Oct - Keynote address (10:40 - 11:20 CET)
Kamalia Mehtiyeva, president, professor of law, Azerbaijian Arbitration Association, Université Paris-Est Créteil
3 Oct - Navigating the future of IP & tech disputes: arbitration in focus (11:20 - 12:20 CET)
Join leading experts for an in-depth exploration of the evolving landscape of intellectual property and technology-related disputes. This panel will examine the current state of tech litigation versus arbitration, assess arbitration’s potential and limitations, and offer a forward-looking perspective on its role in resolving complex tech conflicts. Featuring distinguished thought leaders from academia, law, and industry.
Moderator: Matthias Hofer, principle associate, Freshfields
3 Oct - Networking lunch (12:20 - 13:20 CET)
3 Oct - GAR Live: Are you fit to sit? arbitration confidential: when to reveal and when to conceal (13:20 - 14:20 CET)
What would you do?
What must arbitrators disclose—and what can remain unsaid? This engaging panel delves into the nuanced world of disclosure obligations in arbitration. With a critical look at the IBA Guidelines, practical dilemmas, and real-life examples from the field, our expert speakers will explore where transparency ends, and discretion begins. Audience members will have the opportunity to weigh in live via slido—because sometimes, the hardest seat to judge is your own. Join our panellists for a candid conversation on the ethics, expectations, and evolving standards of arbitral disclosure.
Moderator: Annet van Hooft, independent arbitrator
Panel:
Nadja Al Kanawati, counsel, Wilmerhale
Niuscha Bassiri, co-founder, ArbBoutique
3 Oct - Coffee break (14:20 - 14:50 CET)
3 Oct - The GAR live debate (14:50 - 15:50 CET)
In Oxford Union style, we will hear teams of debaters argue in favour of, or against, a motion. A judge then voices opinions on what has been heard, before choosing – after having requested the audience’s views – which side to support and giving reasons for their decision.
Motion: This house believes that resisting the use of AI tools in arbitration – particularly in quantum – is no longer tenable in a data-driven legal practice.
Judge: Ivo Deskovic, partner, Taylor Wessing
Debaters:
Tijana Kojović, senior partner, managing partner, BDK Advokati
Claire Morel de Westgaver, partner – international arbitration, Ontier
Kai Schumacher, founder, managing director, Alix Partners
Almir Smajlovic, managing director, Fortis Disputes & Consulting
3 Oct - Chairs' closing remarks and networking (15:50 - 16:00 CET)
Alice Fremuth-Wolf, head of Austria & CEE, Nivalion AG, Austrian Arbitration Association
Niamh Leinwather, secretary general, Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC)
Stephanie Rohmann, associate, Baker McKenzie, Young Austrian Arbitration Practitioners (YAAP)
