We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Wolfgang Hahnkamper on 13 June 2025.
For three decades, Wolfgang was a shining light for the arbitration community, specifically in Austria, but also on an international level. He was well-known and held in high regard as a true gentleman and arbitrator with an impeccable moral compass, incorruptible conviction, and a gift for seemingly effortless mediation between the rule of law and commercial common sense.
Wolfgang also played a pivotal role in the establishment and evolution of the Austrian Arbitration Association (ArbAut), having served on its board for six years and as its president for two during our organization’s formative years. Whilst on the board, he initiated countless initiatives aimed at establishing a sense of community among practitioners, both within Austria and beyond its borders. His commitment to the arbitration community did not stop when he stepped down from his steering functions for ArbAut. In line with his dedicated nature, he continued to support his successors with advice as well as ideas, and he devoted particular attention to the advancement of young academics and practitioners in the field of arbitration. Without his unrelenting support for the Vis Moot in general and the University of Vienna Vis Moot team specifically, many of today’s members of the arbitration community might not have found their way into the world of arbitration. To this end, he also played a vital role in establishing a legal framework for the Vis Moot, co-founding and promoting the Vis Moot Association, setting it up for the future, and acting as ArbAut’s delegate to that association for many years.
Wolfgang was also a long-standing and dedicated supporter of the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC), where he served in numerous proceedings as both party counsel and arbitrator. He consistently supported VIAC through his attendance at events, his valuable contributions as a speaker at conferences, and by actively promoting the institution on a national and international level. In line with his tireless commitment to the next generation of arbitration practitioners, Wolfgang also played a key role in launching an AWAK curriculum on arbitration in cooperation with VIAC, ArbAUT and YAAP – a meaningful initiative that helped strengthen education and engagement in arbitration among legal professionals in Austria. He pursued this initiative until the very end of his days with an inspiring passion and energy.
With Wolfgang’s passing, we have lost a valued colleague and role model, a true friend and a dear and trusted mentor. For all he was to us, we say thank you, and in this moment of mourning, our thoughts go out to his family and his loved ones. He will be truly missed. May he rest in piece.
