Mentoring Programme

The Young ICCA Mentoring Programme is the first structured mentoring programme within the international arbitration community. It provides Young ICCA Members with the opportunity to be mentored by eminent arbitration specialists within the ICCA Community. Mentees are organised into groups of 3-4 and assigned to a "Mentor" – a senior arbitration expert – and a Group Advisor, formerly known as a "Buddy" – an established mid-level arbitration practitioner. Together, the Mentor, Group Advisor and Mentees form a "Mentoring Group".

Each Mentoring Group works together for two years. During this period, the Mentor and Group Advisor will be available to each of the Mentees in their group to provide advice and career guidance, as well as to impart arbitration wisdom and practical know-how. Guidelines outlining the role of each Mentoring Group participant – Mentor, Group Advisor and Mentee – and possible activities for each Mentoring Group are available below.

All current Young ICCA members are eligible to apply to become Mentees in the Young ICCA Mentoring Programme (you can become a Young ICCA member by submitting an application here). The programme is best suited to young professionals interested in international arbitration. In selecting Young ICCA Members for participation in the Programme, Young ICCA aims to achieve a broad diversity and a wide geographical distribution, including appropriate representation of Mentee applicants from countries that are underrepresented in the field of international arbitration. Applicants must have completed an initial law degree by the time they start the Programme (though may be advanced students, e.g. pursuing an LLM or PhD).

• Have a strong commitment to participating in activities and events set up by the Mentor and Group Advisor.
• Communicate regularly with both the Mentor and Group Advisor.
• Be available to participate in conference calls, draft articles and/or organize/participate in conferences/workshops/other events as established by the Mentor and Group Advisor.
• Respect and learn from their Co-Mentees and the process of the Programme.

Group Advisors must be under 45 years old and should have a minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in the field of arbitration (e.g. employment with a law firm with participation in an arbitration practice; employment at a recognised arbitral institute; employment or link to an academic institution in the fields of arbitration/dispute resolution). It is up to the applicants to ensure that they enter the correct information, particularly with respect to the region and country in which they expect to be based in the next two years, to the extent possible. 

• Be a full, active and available participant in the Mentoring Group meetings and activities.
• Have the willingness and ability to organise events and activities in consultation with the Mentor and take initiative in doing so where appropriate.
• Contribute to the strategic aims of the Programme by assisting the Mentor in planning the overall agenda for the calendar year.
• Collaborate with the Mentor and Mentees to set up activities.
• Communicate with Mentees regularly to ensure they are engaged in the Programme, and answer reasonable queries from Mentees regarding career development, arbitration practice and arbitration know-how.

Applications for the 11th cycle of the Young ICCA Mentoring Programme are now open until 23:59 (CEST) on Thursday 31 August 2023. 

• Incomplete applications will be disregarded;
• No special accommodation shall be made to successful applicants, i.e., any requests for a specific Mentor or group.
• Due to the overwhelming number of applications Young ICCA expects to receive for this upcoming Programme, no feedback will be given to applicants who are not selected to participate in the programme.
• It is up to the applicants to ensure that they enter the correct information in the application form, particularly with respect to the region and country in which they will be based over the next two years, to the extent that this is known.
• As the Mentoring Programme can only accommodate a limited number of Mentees, the applicant’s letter of motivation plays an important part in the selection process. The letter of motivation will assist the Programme Coordinators to identify candidates who demonstrate commitment and motivation and to match them with the most suitable Mentors and Group Advisors.