Cyprus Arbitration Day 2026
Connor Legal is pleased to highlight the upcoming Cyprus Arbitration Day 2026, an important international event bringing together leading practitioners, academics, and arbitration professionals to discuss current developments and emerging issues in international commercial and investment arbitration.
The event will take place over 14–15 May 2026, featuring an opening ceremony, keynote addresses, expert panel discussions, and networking opportunities for professionals engaged in dispute resolution.
Arbitration continues to play a critical role in cross-border commercial disputes, particularly in jurisdictions such as Cyprus that serve as regional hubs for international business and investment. Events such as Cyprus Arbitration Day provide an important forum for discussing evolving doctrines, the interaction between arbitration and EU law, and the increasing impact of technology and artificial intelligence in dispute resolution.
Event Programme
Date | Time | Session / Activity | Description |
14 May 2026 | 18:00 – 21:00 | Opening Ceremony and Cocktail Reception | The event will commence with an opening ceremony and cocktail reception, providing participants with an opportunity to meet leading practitioners, arbitrators, academics, and representatives from international arbitration institutions. |
15 May 2026 | 08:30 – 09:15 | Registrations | Participant registration and arrival. |
09:15 – 09:30 | Welcome Address by CAD Co-Chair | Opening remarks and welcome to participants. | |
09:30 – 10:00 | Keynote Speech | Keynote presentation by the invited speaker. | |
10:00 – 11:00 | 1st Session: Unsettled Legal Doctrines | Discussion of evolving doctrines and unresolved legal questions shaping the future of international arbitration. | |
11:00 – 11:30 | Networking Break | Coffee break and networking opportunity for participants. | |
11:30 – 12:30 | 2nd Session: Tension with the EU Acquis | Examination of the complex relationship between arbitration and European Union law, including issues arising from EU jurisprudence affecting investment arbitration. | |
12:30 – 14:00 | Lunch Break | Lunch and networking. | |
14:00 – 14:30 | Keynote Speech | Second keynote address of the event. | |
14:30 – 15:30 | 3rd Session: AI Validation and Validation of AI | Exploring the role of artificial intelligence in arbitration proceedings, including the reliability, admissibility, and validation of AI-generated analysis. | |
15:30 – 16:00 | Networking Break | Coffee break and networking opportunity. | |
16:00 – 17:00 | 4th Session: Hot Topics in Arbitration | A forward-looking discussion addressing current trends and challenges facing arbitration practitioners globally. | |
17:00 – 17:15 | Closing Remarks by CAD Co-Chair | Final remarks and conclusion of the conference sessions. | |
19:30 – 23:00 | Gala Dinner | Evening gala dinner for participants and guests. |
Keynote Speaker
The keynote speaker for Cyprus Arbitration Day 2026 will be Professor George A. Bermann, a globally recognised authority in international arbitration.
Professor Bermann is Professor of Law at Columbia Law School and Director of the Center for International Commercial and Investment Arbitration (CICA) in New York. Since 1985, he has acted as arbitrator in numerous international commercial and investment disputes administered under major arbitration institutions worldwide.
His extensive professional roles include:
- Head of the Global Advisory Board of the New York International Arbitration Center (NYIAC)
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- Founding member of the Governing Board of the ICC International Court of Arbitration
- Advisory board head of the Thai Arbitration Center and the Center for International Investment and Commercial Arbitration (Lahore)
- Board member of the Tehran Regional Arbitration Center and the Japan Institute for International Arbitration Research and Training
Professor Bermann also served as Chief Reporter for the American Law Institute’s Restatement of the U.S. Law of International Commercial Arbitration and is a leading academic contributor in the field. His publications include numerous books and articles on international dispute resolution, including Twilight Issues in International Arbitration.
He regularly appears as expert witness in arbitration-related matters before national courts and arbitral tribunals and participates as an observer in UNCITRAL Working Group III on behalf of the American Arbitration Association.
The Growing Importance of Arbitration in Cyprus
Cyprus continues to strengthen its position as a regional dispute resolution hub, particularly for international commercial arbitration involving cross-border transactions, investment disputes, and complex commercial contracts.
Events such as Cyprus Arbitration Day facilitate dialogue between academics, arbitrators, counsel, and institutions, helping shape the development of arbitration practice and policy across Europe and internationally.
For law firms and practitioners engaged in cross-border commercial matters, keeping abreast of developments in arbitration — including EU law interaction, technological developments, and doctrinal evolution — remains essential.
