The 10 Guiding Principles of Paris Arbitration Week

1. Promoting Paris as a leading arbitration hub

PAW spotlights Paris as a leading seat for international arbitration which has birthed the very first arbitration week worldwide. With its avant-gardist and pro-arbitration legal infrastructure relying on specialised judges, the leading international arbitral institution and a rich legal tradition, Paris is undoubtedly a global influencer in the field of international arbitration.

2. Independence and neutrality

PAW is an independent and apolitical association. Its governance and agenda reflect a balanced, multi-perspective approach that defends the neutrality of arbitration and the impartiality of its fora.

3. Promotion of arbitration for peaceful and efficient dispute resolution

PAW is a unique platform advocating for arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution as peaceful and effective tools to enhance access to justice, contractual security and international cooperation. .

4. Upholding the Rule of Law

Due Process, legal certainty and institutional independence are key to upholding the rule of law. PAW believes that arbitration is not only a mechanism for resolving disputes but also a guardian of justice and stability in a globalized world.
It works closely with its partners to reinforce confidence in the rule of law and ensure that arbitral awards remain a trusted and enforceable pathway to peace and fairness in international dealings.

5. Connecting the world of arbitration

By uniting all arbitration stakeholders (arbitration users, arbitrators, counsels, academics, experts, judges, institutions, and various service providers), PAW fosters dialogue across disciplines, generations, and legal cultures, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.

6. Championing diversity and inclusion

By placing gender balance, cultural inclusion, generational exchange, and intersectionality at the heart of its project PAW acknowledges that confidence in the rule of law cannot be achieved without equal representation and inclusion. For the past decade, guided by the core values of diversity and inclusion, PAW has brought together practitioners, academics, businesses, institutions, and participants from over 38 countries.
PAW commits to widening access to the practice of international arbitration by granting free partnerships to not for profit associations, lowering partnership fees for sole practitioners and smaller structures and offering scholarships to young talents from under-represented regions. With continuous innovations, to remove socioeconomic and geographical barriers, PAW fosters a space where both established leaders and emerging voices can engage on equal footing.

7. Commitment to sustainability

Sustainability is a also fundamental value at the heart of PAW, from rethinking the environmental impact of its events to embedding ethical responsibility in its operations. It promotes greener practices, encourages socially conscious engagement from partners, and advances dialogue through its annual Sustainability Event, a key forum to raise awareness and enhance knowledge on these issues within the arbitral community.

8. Knowledge sharing

PAW invests in the future of arbitration by supporting emerging practitioners through mentorship and networking. Education and knowledge transfer are pillars of PAW, with initiatives such as the PAW Library, partnerships with universities, and the PAW Fellowship program.

9. Innovation and Forward-Thinking

PAW is committed to innovation and technology, showcasing how digital tools and AI are reshaping arbitration. From pioneering debates to hands-on demonstrations, PAW provides a platform where the global community explores the future of dispute resolution.

10. Celebration

By combining rigorous debate with festive networking, PAW fosters genuine connections that strengthen the fabric of the international arbitration community. In Paris, the celebration itself becomes the catalyst for building trust, collaboration, and a truly global network of arbitration professionals.