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LCIA gives update on Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge
Practical Law UK Legal Update w-004-9501 (Approx. 3 pages)
LCIA gives update on Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge
| Published on 14 Dec 2016 • International |
The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) has published a summary of the latest developments relating to the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge.
The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) has published an update on the implementation of the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge, which was launched in May 2016 to improve the representation of women in arbitration (see Legal update, Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge launched). Since the launch, there has been a marked rise in awareness around gender diversity issues and as of 5 December 2016, the Pledge had already received 1568 signatories. While the arbitral institutions have taken certain steps to implement the pledge, including the publication of gender statistics on the number of female appointments, it was felt that there was still more to be done. With that in mind, the LCIA and Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC) hosted dinners in October and November 2016 to discuss tangible actions to fulfil the aim of the Pledge, which include:
- In house counsel should make it clear to legal teams that gender balance is important to the client.
- Counsel should send profiles of potential arbitrator candidates to the client without disclosing gender.
- Women should assist other female candidates more, for example by participating in mentorship programs or suggesting alternative female candidates when appointments cannot be accepted.
- Everyone should encourage those who hold databases to make sure that women are represented, as well as urging that women’s profiles are presented in the same manner as men's.
- Firms should take measures to retain female talent, for example by setting internal targets for their percentage of female partners and encouraging women to be more visible.