Transforming Arbitration

In an era where technology is rapidly transforming the legal landscape, Transforming Arbitration explores how innovations like AI, blockchain, the Metaverse, and Web3 are reshaping arbitration as a key form of dispute resolution. The book features insights from leading academics, practitioners, and policymakers, offering a comprehensive look at how these advancements are influencing our conceptual, substantive and procedural understandings of many parts of this field. Each chapter examines the challenges and opportunities presented by these technologies, raising important questions about the compatibility of traditional arbitration processes with digital innovations. As the legal field adapts to developments like cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and 'virtual' disputes, this book provides valuable guidance on the future implications for arbitration. By questioning established norms and advocating for fresh approaches, Transforming Arbitration is a vital resource for legal professionals and scholars committed to evolving with the times. Combining theoretical exploration with practical recommendations, this collaborative volume equips the legal community with the tools to navigate the complexities of our digital age with confidence and foresight.

Maud Piers is an associate professor at Ghent University and Coordinator at the Center for the Future of Dispute Resolution. She serves as an arbitrator in domestic and international cases, is a certified mediator and is vice-president at CEPANI. Maud edited Arbitration in the Digital Age, pioneering digitalization in arbitration, and has over 100 publications on the subject. She is widely recognized for her expertise and thought leadership on the future of dispute resolution, actively contributing to various working groups, including those with CEPANI, CIArb, and VIAC. Sean McCarthy is an Irish barrister, New York attorney and founder of Aegis Arbitration, an international disputes consultancy practice. He is a former Deputy Counsel at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. Sean is also a co-founder and moderator for ArbTech, an online community established in 2021, focused on exploring the future of justice and the intersection between law and technology. Sean is a founding member of Blockchain Ireland’s Legal Working Group as well as VIAC’s Legal Tech Think Tank (LTTT), along with Maud.