40 UNDER 40 INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION 2021

Gaining recognition in today’s international arbitration market is difficult. If there was ever a world where a cozy club of practitioners dominated the field, that has been transformed into an intensely competitive, worldwide market with excellent lawyers coming from every corner of the globe. That is in part because of globalization, technology, and diversity, and in part because of the attractions of an increasingly important and interesting field of practice, which engages the most talented and committed younger lawyers.

This book mirrors contemporary international arbitration. It has enormous diversity, with authors from all over the world, demonstrating prodigious ability and energy, and producing works of the highest academic quality and practical relevance. At a time when international arbitration is under sustained criticism, these contributions are inspirational, setting an example for practice in the field.

As one would expect, the book contains a number of articles examining the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for international arbitration. The book also includes contributions on topics that range from interim measures, emergency arbitration, document production, data protection, artificial intelligence, arbitrator ethics, and challenges of awards. Together, these various articles address almost every aspect of the arbitral process, again mirroring the field itself.

The book should serve as a genuine inspiration. The international arbitral process depends for its future on the commitment and excellence of the lawyers and arbitrators who conduct international arbitrations. Unless they strive to perfection, providing the best possible work in the most efficient manner, users will find other means of resolving their disputes. International arbitration has flourished because it provides more efficient, expeditious, expert, evenhanded and enforceable ways of solving cross-border commercial disputes. It can only do so—and continue to do so—if its participants rise to the challenges of excellence—as the works in this book do.

Finally, every successful enterprise requires a leader and a vision. Carlos González-Bueno provided both for this book, and deserves great praise for his efforts. He has devoted enormous work and wise foresight to identifying, organizing, and motivating young lawyers from around the world to produce excellent works. Like the authors of this book, he deserves great praise and congratulations.

Gary B. Born