The Expert Group convened its inaugural meeting at the Peace Palace in The Hague on March 20-21, 2025, with several members participating remotely. The gathering focused on launching the group's mandate and initiating substantive discussions on the PCA's evolving role in international dispute resolution.
"With the support of the International Bureau, the Expert Group will consider both historic and forward-looking perspectives on the PCA's contributions to international law," according to the official press release. The group's recommendations will be reported to the Secretary-General and the Administrative Council in 2026.
The formation of this panel comes at a critical juncture for the PCA, which currently administers an impressive portfolio of 216 cases, including seven inter-state arbitrations, 95 investment treaty cases, 109 contract-based arbitrations involving states or public entities, and four other proceedings.
The Expert Group represents a balanced composition across geographic regions, genders, cultures, and legal systems. Alongside Banerji, other notable members include Judge Joan E. Donoghue, Professor Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Professor Dapo Akande, and Ambassador Rena Lee.
During the inaugural meeting, the PCA Secretary-General and members of the International Bureau delivered a comprehensive presentation on the institution's historical contributions, followed by an interactive dialogue with the Expert Group members.
The meeting also featured a forward-looking session titled "Looking to the Future," with contributions from Ms. Avril Haines and Lord Simon McDonald, examining the long-term global landscape and the evolving role of international dispute resolution institutions.
Established by the 1899 Hague Convention on the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, the PCA has grown to include 124 Contracting Parties. Headquartered at the Peace Palace in The Hague, it serves as a vital forum for resolving disputes between various combinations of states, state entities, intergovernmental organizations, and private parties.
More information about the Expert Group's work and mandate can be found on the PCA's official website.
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keywords: permanent court of arbitration, gourab banerji, international arbitration, expert group, dispute resolution, the hague
