Young ICCA Hosts Mentoring Programme Retreat in Paris

2025 End-of-Cycle Retreat: A Celebration of Dialogue, Diversity and Development in International Arbitration

Prepared by Vincent Carriou, Raquel Macedo Moreira, and Stanley U. Nweke-Eze, co-directors of the Young ICCA Mentoring Programme

From 30 October 2025 to 1 November 2025, Young ICCA hosted its End-of-Cycle Retreat in Paris, marking the conclusion of the 11th cycle of its Mentoring Programme. The retreat brought together over 60 participants, including mentees, mentors, group advisors, and distinguished guests, for three days of substantive discussions, professional development, and community building.

Opening Reflections and Institutional Insights at Linklaters

The retreat began with a morning session exclusive for Group Advisors at Linklaters, featuring Francisco Abriani (Counsel, ICSID) and Martina Polasek (Secretary-General, ICSID). The discussions centered on the 2022 ICSID Rules and their practical implications. Francisco Abriani provided a detailed overview of key provisions aimed at enhancing procedural efficiency and transparency, such as:

• Rule 3: Emphasizing the obligation of parties and tribunals to act in a timely manner.

• Rule 41: Introducing summary disposition for claims manifestly lacking legal merit.

• Rule 14: Addressing third-party funding disclosures and the challenges of tracing ultimate beneficiaries.

• Rule 46: Enabling consolidation and coordination of cases in rare but complex scenarios.

The session also explored ICSID’s evolving role in managing proceedings, including the screening of requests for arbitration under Article 36 of the ICSID Convention and the administrative criteria under Article 25 of the ICSID Convention. Martina Polasek joined virtually to share broader trends in ICSID caseloads, including the rise in annulment applications, diversification of investor nationalities, and increasing complexity in contract-based disputes.

Afternoon Panels: Tribunal Secretaries and Legal Privilege

The afternoon opened with welcome remarks from ICCA President Stanimir Alexandrov and Young ICCA leaders, followed by a presentation from Roland Ziadé and Andrew Plump (Linklaters). During the presentation, Roland Ziadé graciously shared with the audience his ‘Top Ten Commandments’, a set of guiding principles for young arbitration practitioners, blending wisdom, wit, and practical advice: be active in arbitration associations and groups; seek opportunities to write and publish; to the extent possible find a strong and committed mentor; broaden your horizon and be curious; be creative; leave no stone unturned; participate in hearings in one way or another, keep learning; legal career is a marathon; be AI savvy and worry about it; never compromise with integrity; be serious, yet do not take yourself not too seriously. 

The first panel, moderated by Stanley U. Nweke-Eze, the co-director of Young ICCA’s very own Mentoring Programme, focused on the evolving role of tribunal secretaries and assistants in arbitration proceedings. Roland Ziadé and Andrew Plump discussed the increasing judicialization of arbitration and the value of secretaries in managing time and costs. Specifically, the discussions evolved around:

• The legal and practical justifications.

• The importance of transparency in appointments.

• The need for clear boundaries to avoid the “fourth arbitrator” risk.

• Institutional recognition and best practices, including guidance from ICC, ICSID, and Young ICCA’s own guide.

• The role of artificial intelligence, among other topics.

The second panel, moderated by Jadranka Jakovcic, tackled the complex issue of privilege in international arbitration. Mentees Gianni Pizzitola and Darejan Beridze presented contrasting perspectives from common and civil law traditions, based on research their group – mentored by Eduardo Zuleta – has been carrying out over the past months. The discussion addressed:

• The scope and waiver of attorney-client privilege.

• Conflicts between tribunal orders and local professional rules.

• The potential role of soft law instruments or expert assessments in resolving privilege disputes.

Evening Events: Connection and Celebration

The day concluded with an aperitif at Linklaters, followed by a formal dinner in the city, where participants mingled with senior practitioners and mentors in a relaxed and elegant setting. The evening was a celebration of the programme’s achievements and the friendships forged across borders.

Day Two: ICC and Jones Day Sessions

Friday’s programme began at the ICC headquarters with sessions on Expedited Proceedings and Arbitrator Appointments and Challenges, moderated by Vincent Carriou, also co-director of Young ICCA’s Mentoring Programme, and Shirin Gurdova, former Young ICCA co-chair. Discussions were opened by presentations from Asli Yilmaz (Managing Counsel), Nicolas Galvez Solis (Counsel), Francisco Trebucq (Counsel), Maria Azul Gimenez Losano (Deputy Counsel), and Andrea Pastrana (Deputy Counsel) from the ICC. Presentations were followed by questions from the audience. Themes explored included:

• Potential changes on the next revision of the ICC Rules.

• The mismatch between party expectations and expedited procedure provisions.

• Trends in opt-outs of the expedited procedure.

• The ICC’s approach to arbitrator confirmation and challenge, including transparency and party autonomy.

In the afternoon, participants gathered at Jones Day for a session on Efficiency and General Problems in Arbitration, moderated by Katrine Tvede, Young ICCA’s co-chair. Led by Elie Kleiman, an entire team of Jones Day arbitration lawyers gave a presentation on efficiency and recent trends in international arbitration. The discussions then evolved around:

• The enduring myth of achieving arbitration that is simultaneously good, fast, and cheap.

• The steady “judicialization” of arbitration proceedings.

• The cost-impact of the use of AI on arbitration workflows.

The day ended with an aperitif at Jones Day and an informal dinner only for retreat participants to get to know each other better, offering another opportunity for participants to connect in a convivial atmosphere.

Final Day: Brunch and Farewell

On Saturday, the retreat concluded with a brunch, kindly sponsored by Raedas. The event brought together mentees and mid-level arbitration practitioners for informal conversations and reflections on the retreat’s highlights.

A Global Gathering of Future Leaders

With participants from over 25 countries and representation from leading institutions and law firms, the retreat embodied Young ICCA’s mission to foster diversity, mentorship, and excellence in international arbitration. The 11th cycle’s conclusion was not just a milestone—it was a launchpad for the next generation of arbitration professionals.

The Retreat and the Mentoring Programme

This retreat represents and celebrates the conclusion of another 2-year Mentoring Programme cycle. 

The Young ICCA Mentoring Programme provides a unique platform for young professionals to connect with and learn from the experience of more senior members of the arbitration community, including members of ICCA’s Governing Board. Members of Young ICCA may apply to participate in the Mentoring Programme at the start of each new cycle. It is co-directed by Raquel Macedo Moreira, Stanley U. Nweke-Eze, and Vincent Carriou. 

The Mentoring Programme is now in its 12th Cycle.  Applications for next year’s cycles open around July-August of the previous year. Find more information at: https://www.youngicca.org/mentoring-programme