International Arbitration in North Africa: An Insider’s Perspective

Presentation

This event proposes a closer look at international arbitration in North Africa through the experience of those who come from or practice it within the region. While discussions about North Africa are often shaped by external commentary, this panel seeks to complement those perspectives with insights drawn directly from local and regional practice.

Bringing together practitioners and counsel actively involved in North African disputes, the discussion will explore how arbitration is conducted in practice: the interaction between arbitral tribunals and domestic courts, the reality of domestic governing laws, enforcement considerations, the role of State entities, and the procedural dynamics that shape the disputes.

Particular attention will be paid to the elements that are not always visible in formal analyses — strategic decisions on seat and institution, evidentiary approaches in civil law contexts, linguistic and cultural dimensions, and the practical realities that influence case management and outcomes.

The event will also highlight the role of a new generation of North African practitioners who are increasingly shaping and reappropriating the practice of international arbitration in the region. Educated across jurisdictions yet deeply connected to local legal cultures, this emerging community is contributing to a more confident and self-defined arbitration landscape.

Designed for arbitration professionals, in-house counsel and academics, this event aims to provide a nuanced and experience-based understanding of the region’s arbitration landscape, offering insight that is both grounded in practice and attentive to its broader international context.