Abstract

In this article the authors look at gender diversity in international arbitration tribunals and draw a comparison with gender diversity in the judiciary, in law firms and in major companies. Concluding that the lack of gender diversity in international arbitration tribunals cannot wholly be attributed to the lack of women at the senior end of the legal profession, the authors suggest that one way to diversify and expand the pool of arbitral candidates is for states to implement policy changes in the manner in which arbitrators are selected for investment treaty arbitrations. Changes made at this level will increase the visibility and profile of arbitral candidates and may result in a trickledown effect on appointments to commercial arbitration tribunals.