Winner of the 2026 Young ICCA Essay Competition announced

We are pleased to announce Dr. Thomas Lehmann as the winner of the Young ICCA Essay Competition. 

The 2026 edition of the Essay Competition invited authors to consider whether technology has diminished the human element in arbitration—and whether this shift should be embraced.

Thomas Lehmann, a Research Fellow in International Arbitration at the National University of Singapore and a qualified Avocat at the Paris Bar, will be awarded a speaking slot at the ICCA Congress in Madrid, and his winning essay will be published in the next volume of the ICCA Congress Series.

On receiving the news, Thomas said: 

“I am truly honoured to receive this recognition. Thank you to Young ICCA and ICCA for organising an essay competition where younger voices can contribute original perspectives on questions determining the future of our profession. I look forward to attending the Congress!”

An honourable mention goes to Anubhuti Raje, a final-year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) student at Gujarat National Law University, India, whose essay won 2nd place.

The Competition furthers Young ICCA's mission to open the doors of international arbitration to talented young practitioners, and to give them a platform to showcase their written advocacy skills. The Essay Competition was launched in 2022 ahead of the ICCA Congress held in Edinburgh.

Our thanks to the 2026 Competition Committee and Advisory Board for their contributions towards making the third edition of the Young ICCA Essay Competition a success.

For more information about ICCA 2026 Madrid, see: https://icca2026.es/