On 1 December 2025, London welcomed the latest edition of GAR Live: Women in Arbitration, an event proudly sponsored by ArbitralWomen and bringing together practitioners, academics, and institutional representatives to discuss current challenges and opportunities in international arbitration, while showcasing the leadership of women in the field.
 
This year’s programme was curated by ArbitralWomen Member Marieke van Hooijdonk (independent arbitrator) and Isabelle Michou (Partner, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan) and featured a fireside chat with top in-house counsel Isabelle Deschamps (Global Chief Legal, Rio Tinto), alongside panel discussions on topics ranging from politics and international arbitration, innovation and new substantive and procedural frontiers. The sessions were marked by lively debate and practical insights, reflecting the collaborative spirit that has become a hallmark of this annual gathering.
 
ArbitralWomen was proud to see several of its members featured prominently, including ArbitralWomen Board Director Clea Bigelow-Nuttall, and ArbitralWomen Members Hannah Ambrose, Rachel O’Grady, Anne-Marie Hitchin, Diana Paraguacuto-Maheo, Marieke Schaink, Kathryn Khamsi, and Monique Sasson.

 
ArbitralWomen Member Hannah Ambrose moderated a discussion on “The Future Frontiers of Arbitration”, spanning an array of topics such a space and sea law, defence and government spending, the build-out of AI infrastructure, and high net-worth individuals, with ArbitralWomen Members Rachael O’Grady and Anne-Marie Hitchin contributing to the discussion. ArbitralWomen Member Diana Paraguacuto-Maheo drew on her extensive international practice on a panel discussing “Innovation: What’s new in arbitration?”, with panellists debating innovations from arbitral institutions, new procedural and digital tools, and the question of “innovation fatigue”.  During an interview entitled “The partner journey: what it takes – and what comes next” ArbitralWomen Board Member Director Clea Bigelow-Nuttall, and ArbitralWomen Members Hannah Ambrose,  Anne-Marie Hitchin, Diana Paraguacuto-Maheo, Marieke Schaink, and Kathryn Khamsi.
 
ArbitralWomen Members Kathryn Khamsi and Monique Sasson provided their experience and perspectives on the fragmentation of the international arbitration market, discussing the rise of boutique firms, the clients pushing for diversity, and the law form models that are truly changing how arbitration is practiced.
 
Beyond the formal sessions, the conference provided valuable networking opportunities. The presence of ArbitralWomen members was felt throughout the conference, underscoring the organization’s mission to amplify women’s voices and foster inclusivity in arbitration.
 
GAR Live: Women in Arbitration 2025 was both a celebration of achievements and a reminder to the wider arbitration community of its responsibility to champion equality and innovation.
 
ArbitralWomen congratulates all participants and thanks GAR Live for hosting this engaging event.

Submitted by ArbitralWomen Board Director Clea Bigelow Nuttall (Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP)