When commercial relationships break down, the critical question for leadership is often the same: do we settle — or do we fight? In 2025, this decision carries more complexity than ever before. Courts expect early engagement. Litigation costs are rising. And the scrutiny from investors, regulators and the media is more intense.

As the use of third-party funding becomes increasingly embedded in the practice of arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) has released its Proposed Guideline on Third-Party Funding (Proposed Guideline).

The Proposed Guideline, which is open for public comment until 17 June 2025, represents a much-needed opportunity to bring clarity and structure to a complex and evolving area of practice.

The Arbitration Act 1996 has served the UK well: it put party autonomy at the centre, limited court intervention, and gave London and other UK seats an enviable international reputation. Almost three decades on, however, practice has evolved. Digital evidence, third‑party funding, emergency relief, and transparency expectations have all out paced the 1996 framework. Enter the Arbitration Act 2025 (“the 2025  Act”).

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) recently published its "Guideline on the Use of AI in Arbitration (2025)" (the ‘Ciarb AI Guideline’).

The Ciarb AI Guideline provides practical guidance to practitioners and other participants in dispute resolution processes who wish to benefit from the responsible use of artificial intelligence (‘AI’).

This initiative reflects the Ciarb's commitment to embracing technological advancements while maintaining the integrity and fairness of the arbitration process.

Following recent amendments to the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), two recent cases illustrate the way in which courts are using these new powers to bring the benefits of ADR to bear at different stages of court proceedings and facilitate efficient dispute resolution. 

Julian Critchlow examines recent developments in the law and practice of ADR, outlining its implications for parties to disputes, and investigate the implications of recent relevant changes to the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR).

A background to the practical and legal problems that UK-based entities may face when engaging in international arbitration with sanctioned Russian parties.

On 3 May 2023 the UK became the 56th State to sign the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, known as the ‘Singapore Convention on Mediation’ (Signapore Convention).

It's National Stress Awareness Day and in support of this we wanted to share 5 tips on how to reduce stress when going through one of the most stressful times a you can go through as a business; litigation.

House of Zana, a small independent clothing brand has been locked in a trademark battle with clothing and homeware company Zara. After House of Zana owner Amber Kottri tried to trademark her brands name, Zara opposed stating it could be ‘misread, misheard and/or otherwise perceive House of Zana as Zara’, elaborating that the name ‘diluted’ their brand.

The UK enjoys a storied reputation as a global dispute resolution hub, with both its court system and its standing, particularly that of London, as a safe and attractive seat for international arbitrations widely acknowledged and celebrated.