European Dispute Resolution Society
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About us
The European Dispute Resolution Society is an independent not-for-profit organization that aims to bring together academics, practitioners and policy-makers on topical discussions and developments related to dispute resolution in, with and by the European Union and its Member States, in the broadest sense.
Dispute resolution is a broad and lively topic. Legitimate and efficient dispute resolution is an essential part of a democratic rules-based society. However, that does not mean it has to be identical in all circumstances, nor invariable over time. Societies organize many different forms of dispute resolution to suit different societal needs. Moreover, the methods and means of dispute resolution mechanisms respond to the challenges and changes of a society.
EDRS aspires to be a platform where topics related to such developments and changes can be earnestly debated. Therefore EDRS’ events aim to:
(i) focus on cross-sectoral speakers and audience (academics, policy makers and practitioners).
(ii) raise awareness of open dispute resolution issues in the contexts of EU integration and global developments.
(iii) focus on identifying and debating solutions in a constructive atmosphere.
It is important to emphasize that EDRS aims to be independent and impartial. As a part of its mission to encourage the exchange of views and perspectives, EDRS itself does not advance any particular political view or policy. It expressly rejects the adoption of any political or policy-oriented opinion other than to promote and support the EU’s core normative values such as respect for human rights and the rule of law, democracy, diversity, freedom and equality for all with open, reciprocal and rule-based international trade.
Its events actively invite different viewpoints to stimulate engaging discussions and be open to all. We strive to offer our events live, in person with or without the ability to participate via livestream online, for free or at reasonable prices reflecting costs. For general organizational purposes, and to ensure high-quality events, prior registration is requested. Our events take place under Chatham House rules without recording, although this may be deviated from for specific events.
Our organiziation: The European Dispute Resolution Society has a two tiered organization structure. The executive committee proposes an annual programme and organizes the events and all day-to-day administrative matters. The executive committee is strengthened by a Scientific Advisory Board composed of notable and reputable academics and practitioners from all over the EU, and beyond. The Scientific Advisory Board provides strategic and academic advice on the proposed annual events and the medium to long term directions of EDRS.
Executive Committee Members
dr. Michael De Boeck
Dr. Michael DE BOECK is a lecturer of EU law at The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) and a licensed attorney at the bar of Brussels and New York.
Michael holds a Master of Laws magna cum laude from Ghent University (2013), a Master in U.S. common law with Honors from Vanderbilt University (2014) and a dual PhD from Ghent and Luxemburg University (2020) on the interaction between EU law and international investment arbitration thanks to a scholarship as Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute Luxembourg for International, European and Regulatory Procedural Law. As doctor-assistant in the faculty of European Legal Studies at the renowned College of Europe in Bruges, Michael profounded his interest and knowledge in EU law with a focus on EU external relations, international and EU trade law, economic regulation and both judicial and alternative dispute resolution.
He is a Partner at ACQUIS EU law & Policy in Brussels where his practice focusses on EU sanctions, trade & export controls and international dispute resolution.
dr. Herman Verbist
Dr. Herman VERBIST is visiting professor on Investment Mediation at the Europa-Institut of the University of Saarland and is a lawyer at the bar of Ghent and Brussels.
He has been designated by the Belgian Government to the list of ICSID conciliators and on the list of Transit Conciliators of the Energy Charter Treaty. He is also an accredited mediator and registered on the list of mediators of i.a. WIPO and of the Energy Community. He is also registered on the list of arbitrators of i.a. CAS, VIAC, SIAC, HKIAC, AIAC, KCAB, ThAC, ICDR and has been a member of the Board of Directors of CEPANI since 2001. He was previously counsel at the International Court of Arbitration of the ICC for 8 years, and a visiting professor at Ghent University where he taught “International Commercial Arbitration” for 17 years. He is author and co-author of several books and dozens of articles on arbitration and mediation.
dr. Javier Garcia Olmedo
Javier García Olmedo is a researcher at the Faculty of Law of the University of Luxembourg and a lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, where he teaches investment treaty law and arbitration on the distance learning LLM programme. He is a dual-qualified lawyer (Spain and England & Wales) who holds an LLM in Private International Law and International Dispute Settlement from King’s College London. He obtained this degree with the support of a TALENTIA Fellowship awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Science. He also received a PhD from the University of Luxembourg, which he obtained thanks to a scholarship granted by the Max Planck Institute Luxembourg for International, European and Regulatory Procedural Law.
Javier combines academic activity with private practice. He was a Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute Luxembourg and has extensive experience representing states and commercial entities in arbitral proceedings under all the major arbitral rules and institutions, including ICSID, PCA, UNCITRAL, LCIA and ICC. He also has experience acting in post-arbitration litigation (enforcement and annulment proceedings) and has worked as a Tribunal Secretary for late Professor Martin Hunter at Essex Court Chambers in London.
His main research focuses on the role of the nationality of investors in international investment law, with a focus on strategic nationality practices such as claims by dual nationals and corporate structuring. This is at the centre of his PhD, entitled ‘Nationality Planning in International Investment Law: Problems and Solutions’. He recently signed a contract with CUP to publish his PhD in the Cambridge Studies in International and Comparative Law. His research also examines areas of interactions between international trade, investment and tax policies as well as the impact of sanctions on international arbitration.
He frequently speaks at international conferences and has published extensively on these topics. He was awarded the 2020 ICLQ Early Career Prize for his article on ‘Recalibrating the International Investment Regime through Narrowed Jurisdiction’, published in the International and Comparative Law Quarterly. His publications also include articles in the European Foreign Affairs Review, the Leiden Journal of International Law and the Journal of International Dispute Settlement.
dr. Pieter Van Vaerenbergh
Dr. Pieter VAN VAERENBERGH is an international trade and customs lawyer at RB Legal. His practice focusses on EU trade defence proceedings and regulatory advice. He is also academically engaged as a teaching assistant for EU law at KU Leuven’s Institute for European Law and as an editorial board member of the Zeitschrift for Europarechtliche Studien (ZEuS).
Pieter earned his PhD in international trade law from Saarland University, where his research and teaching activities focussed on international trade law, dispute resolution and EU law. His monograph was published by Springer in 2023, and his research featured in leading journals such as the Journal of International Arbitration, the Journal of World Trade, and the Global Trade & Customs Journal. During his academic tenure, Pieter also interned at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg and the OECD in Paris, and he coached Saarland University’s Vis Moot team.
Scientific Advisory Board Members
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