From Pandemic to Progress: Review of International Arbitration from 1918 to 2020

In 1918, the world was struck by pandemic of the H1N1 virus, affecting one-third of the global population with at least 50 million deaths.  The devastation had a major impact on legal principles and institutions, including contract nonperformance, impact of quarantine on business closure, and governments responding to crisis.  And, it provided a watershed moment of collaboration and innovation, producing the New York Convention amongst other international conventions and provisions.  Flash forward to 2020, and the world is struck by pandemic of the COVID19 virus, with impact and deaths still tolling.  Here again, there is a path of resilience and progress.  The discussion will include key considerations and best practices as international arbitration adapts to economies in flux, virtual proceedings, and rethinking arbitration clause drafting.