Vienna Arbitration Days 2026

On 20 & 21 November 2026, the 20th Anniversary Edition of the Vienna Arbitration Days (VAD) marking also the 20th Anniversary of the Austrian Yearbook on International Arbitration (AYIA) and the 60th Anniversary of UNCITRAL: United Nations Commission on International Trade Law will take place in Vienna, bringing together practitioners, in-house counsel, academics, and institutions for 1.5 days of fresh perspectives, practical insights, and meaningful connections across the global arbitration community.

This year’s main topic is: Arbitration Unplugged: Under Pressure

But why?  Because arbitration no longer operates in a vacuum and is facing pressures tests:

• How much autonomy can — and should — parties retain?
• What happens to enforcement when legal systems collide?
• Can truth‑finding keep pace with complex evidence and procedural innovation?

In three panels, our excellent speakers will dissect where arbitration feels the pressure most.

Panel 1 – Somebody’s Watching Me

This panel will examine one of the key pressure points within the overarching theme: “Arbitration Unplugged: Under Pressure.”

Panel 2 – The Long and Winding Road

This panel examines another defining pressure point within the overall topic “Arbitration Unplugged: Under Pressure”, exploring of how arbitration performs when placed under sustained pressure—where enforcement proves decisive.

Panel 3 – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

In an era of exploding data volumes and digital disclosure, finding the truth in arbitration is anything but simple. Questions of document production, privilege, and proportionality are increasingly difficult—and increasingly decisive.

During the Arbitration World Café on 21 November, participants will have the opportunity to discuss various topics with their table-moderators in a more intimate setting; a truly unique feature of the VADs.

The keynote will be delivered by Hamid GHARAVI (Derains & Gharavi), who will reflect on “Keeping the Beat: Lawyers as Guardians of the Rule of Law” adressing a number of questions that arise in these times of geopolitical uncertainty, growing defiance towards international law and pressure on democratic institutions.

– One is whether arbitrators, lawyers and institutions have the responsibility to safeguard the rule of law, civil society, justice and peace in relation and beyond each of the specific cases they are called to settle?

– Another is whether there are effective means to this end at the disposable of these actors? And what are the conflicts and barriers they face?

Register now and benefit from the attractive early bird rates available until 4 September 2026 (please note that due ASA’s support, ASA members are entitled to the preferential rates for ArbAut members): Vienna Arbitration Days 2026 | Registration

Enjoy the various Networking & Social Events for some of which separate registration is required:

• Conference cocktail
• Conference Dinner and After-Party at Motto am Fluss
• AW breakfast on “Tech in Arbitration: Will Women Be Shapers—or Left Behind?”
• Guided tour at the Belvedere Museum with ensuing visit of the famous Christkindl-market
• Chorus Juventus of the Wiener Sängerknaben following the Arbitration World Café

We look forward to joining the global arbitration community in Vienna on 20 & 21 November 2026!