Secretariat was a proud supporting partner of Paris Arbitration Week (PAW) 2025. The event, which took place from April 7 to 11, brought together more than 10,000 arbitration practitioners from 135 countries. We were thrilled to participate in dynamic discussions and share our passion and expertise with the international arbitration community.

During the week-long symposium, our experts hosted panels exploring ongoing challenges and emerging trends across various arbitration topics, including infrastructure claims, sports arbitration, and construction disputes. On the final day, we were honored to be recognized as the #1 Expert Witness Firm in the GAR 100 Expert Witness Firms’ Power Index 2025.

Here are the highlights from our time at PAW 2025.

Monday, April 7

Directors Etienne Berge and Nicolas Noyer commenced Secretariat’s PAW participation, speaking on a panel titled “The Challenges of Claims in the Infrastructure Sector — Current Trends and Comparative Perspectives by Counsel, Experts and Arbitrators from Around the World.”

The Secretariat-hosted panel featured prominent arbitrators, lawyers, and quantum and delay experts from Asia, North America, and the UK. Drawing on their unique experience of working with clients across various industries and continents, Etienne and Nicolas joined panelists Elodie Dulac (King & Spalding), Philippe Boisvert (Borden Ladner Gervais LLP), and Jean-François Le Gal (Pinsent Masons) in discussing emerging and existing trends in construction claims. The experts provided insights into how construction claims are dealt with in their different geographies, comparing:

• The practical approach of the parties in the management of construction claims, from initiation to the resolution of formal disputes
• The influence of the law systems in place
• The evolution of typical construction contracts
• The role of lawyers and experts

We were grateful to share valuable perspectives, learn from the diverse experience of our esteemed colleagues, and discuss innovative ways to navigate emerging and ongoing challenges in construction claims.

Tuesday, April 8 

Associate Directors Shalabh Gupta and Amran Nawaz analyzed the intersection of law, finance, and sports during the “The Business of Sports: Navigating Investment, Regulation, and Disputes” panel discussion.

This panel, also hosted by Secretariat, brought together leading arbitrators, lawyers, and financial experts to examine the evolving landscape of business and disputes across professional sports. Drawing on their experience working with clients across various sports, industries, and continents, the panelists provided insights into the intricate financial, commercial, and regulatory matters shaping professional sports.

We enjoyed comparing commercial and sports arbitration and exploring how dispute resolution in sports can learn from challenges faced in other industries. Thank you to our fellow panelists — Steven Bainbridge (Greenberg Traurig), Jeffrey Benz (4 New Square Chambers), Shamin Choudhury (Linklaters), and William Sternheimer (Court of Arbitration for Sport).

Thursday, April 10

On Thursday afternoon, Managing Director Oliver Barnes participated in the Global Arbitration Review (GAR) Live: Construction Disputes panel “Family Fortunes or Family Feuds?”

Oliver joined Aarta Alkarimi (Chrysalis), Liam Hart (Reed Smith LLP), Douglas Jones (independent arbitrator), Peter Rosher (Reed Smith LLP), and David Thomas (Keating Chambers) to discuss the pros and cons of disputes involving NEC contracts and examine if and how NEC contracts may deliver fewer disputes, greater cost clarity, and improved collaboration.

On Thursday evening, we attended the 15th Annual GAR Awards. During the event, Secretariat was named as the #1 Expert Witness Firm in the Global Arbitration Review (GAR) 100 Expert Witness Firms’ Power Index 2025, earning the top-ranking spot for the second consecutive year.

The Secretariat team attending the event included Mike Saulsbury, Eric Guyer, Alexandre Riviere, John Little, Natasha Willicombe, Howard Rosen, Nick Child, Travis Taylor, Shane Kennett, Björn Brand, and Oliver Barnes.

This award reflects our experts’ steadfast commitment to providing objective insights, impactful testimony, and exceptional client service in the most complex, high-value arbitrations.