The seventh edition of the International Arbitration Conference of the International Chamber of Commerce —ICC PANARB 2026— took place from May 27 to 29 in Panama City. The event reaffirmed the country’s strategic role as the premier point of convergence for commercial and investment international arbitration in Latin America.
Organized by the International Chamber of Commerce – Panama Chapter (ICC Panama), with the support of ICC Dispute Resolution Services. In addition, the event brought together prominent arbitrators, litigators, corporate counsel, academics, and institutional representatives from multiple jurisdictions. All attendees participated in three days of high-level technical debate.
At LOVILL, our participation in ICC PANARB 2026 reflected our continuous commitment to the region’s arbitral practice. We contributed not only as an active delegation within the forum’s panels but also as sponsors and hosts of the exclusive dinner for the conference’s speakers.
Trends and Challenges in Latin American International Arbitration
The academic agenda for this edition stood out for addressing the core themes that are currently transforming dispute resolution globally. As a result, the main panels focused on the following key areas:
- Integrity and Transparency: Advanced mechanisms within arbitral proceedings and the prevention of corruption.
- Enforcement of Awards: Current challenges and jurisdictional criteria across the region.
- Tecnology and Security: Cybersecurity and the management of digital evidence in complex environments.
- Human Factors: Strategic and psychological dynamics that influence tribunal decision-making.
This curated selection of topics highlights the maturity of the forum and the growing sophistication of legal practice in Latin America. Meanwhile, the ICC Institute of World Business Law delivered its specialized training on oral advocacy. This practical masterclass took place for the second consecutive year in Panama. Thus, it seamlessly complemented the theoretical insights of the main panels..
ICC YAAF: The Next Generation and the Generational Shift in Dispute Resolution
One of the most dynamic moments of the conference was the session hosted by the ICC YAAF (Young Arbitration and ADR Forum). Under the title “Arbitration in Crisis,” the forum gathered the rising generation of legal professionals.
This session made it clear that the generational shift in Latin American arbitration is no longer a future projection. Instead, it is an ongoing reality. The discussions demonstrated that emerging practitioners are tackling global challenges with impeccable technical precision. Moreover, they bring a distinct perspective that is essential for the evolution of the field.
The LOVILL Dinner: Fostering Connections Beyond Technical Rigor
Beyond the academic sessions, the true value of ICC PANARB 2026 lies in the human connections strengthened along the sidelines of the event. For this reason, at LOVILL, we had the honor of hosting the exclusive dinner dedicated to the conference speakers.
The evening brought together arbitrators, academics, and legal practitioners from diverse jurisdictions. Indeed, these are professionals whose career paths converge in legal excellence. However, their varied backgrounds and experiences enriched every conversation. This gathering allowed the technical rigor of the day to transition into a more open, warm, and human dialogue. The relationships that sustain the most complex and demanding legal work are never improvised; they are cultivated with time, presence, and a genuine interest in the people across the table.
Fostering these spaces of mutual trust is a core conviction for LOVILL. Year after year, ICC PANARB remains the natural stage where this work of relationship-building and collaboration happens seamlessly.
