Judge Jan Paulsson, Judge at the Court of Cassation in Bahrain and a Judge appointed at the BCDR Court, along with Salim Sleiman, Senior Case Manager at BCDR, participated in the 8th ICC European Conference on International Arbitration, which launched Paris Arbitration Week. The conference took place from 18 to 22 March 2024.
Judge Paulsson contributed to a panel discussion titled "Beyond the Verdict: Exploring Interest-Based Approaches to Arbitration." His insights focused on innovative internal tools and strategies that can be employed to enhance the arbitration process and settlement opportunities.
Among the key recommendations offered by Judge Paulsson was the use of a "decision tree" as a strategic tool in arbitration. This method involves mapping out all the obstacles and challenges that must be addressed to achieve a favorable outcome in a dispute. Judge Paulsson highlighted the effectiveness of decision trees in providing a clear framework for evaluating case strengths and weaknesses.
Additionally, Judge Paulsson emphasized the value of mock hearings and case simulations. He noted that these internal exercises often present more rigorous challenges compared to external consultancy assessments, offering a more accurate reflection of the potential hurdles in an arbitration. The use of mock hearings allows parties to test their arguments and strategies in a simulated environment, which can be invaluable for refining their approach.