Annet VAN HOOFT specialises in international commercial arbitration. She represents clients in arbitration proceedings under the rules of various international arbitration institutions, including the International Court of Arbitration (ICC), the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), as well as in ad hoc proceedings. Annet VAN HOOFT has experience in various legal systems, including French, German and Dutch law, and in a wide range of sectors, including construction, energy and life sciences. The benefit of diverse geographic and industry experience is that arbitrators have a better understanding of the context of a dispute. This allows arbitrators to delve deeper into legal and other issues. As Melanie van Leeuwen mentioned in her keynote speech at Paris Arbitration Week 2022, diversity is not a matter of choice, but a necessity on which the future of arbitration as a means of dispute resolution in its own right depends. We live in a globalized world and arbitration is the method by which we resolve disputes arising from international trade. The first steps to be taken are ours. Practitioners should therefore make a conscious effort to focus on increasing diversity in the field of arbitration. This includes, for example, proposing different arbitration panels and hiring employees with different legal backgrounds. Since 2022, Annet`s qualities have been recognised in the referee rankings by Chambers France, noting that she is «a very experienced referee and it is a pleasure to work with». Annet is former Vice-President of the ICC Commission for Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Co-Chair of the Open Commission on International Arbitration of the Paris Bar and Honorary President of the International Court of Arbitration in Bucharest (BIAC). She is co-author of «Arbitrating under the 2012 ICC Rules: An Introductory User`s Guide» (published by Kluwer Law International).

I think it is important that the current rules allow for flexibility as regards the time limit for a decision. In some cases, it is perfectly appropriate to grant provisional discharge in less than a week, for example when the matter is extremely urgent and quite simple. There are also cases where a period of one month is appropriate, where the issue is more complex and perhaps a little less urgent, although, for example, the constitution of the arbitral tribunal cannot be expected. This is important so that parties know what they can legitimately expect from arbitrators in terms of disclosures, but also from arbitrators so that they know what is expected of them (and can comply with it) and are protected from unfounded challenges that unfortunately still occur. The inherent international nature of arbitration gives us privileged access to a diverse cultural environment, both human and intellectual. I find it very rewarding. Annet VAN HOOFT is co-chair of our International Dispute Resolution Group and is based in Paris. • Construction & Energy • Intellectual Property Litigation • Corporate Litigation Annet VAN HOOFT, known for her practice of international arbitration, will be further strengthened by her experience as a lawyer at the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris. By working in her own structure, of which she is the sole partner, Annet is less sensitive to the conflicts of interest that often arise in large companies.

This choice also allows him to devote himself fully to his files, thus offering a better quality of service. Annet stands out in many professional rankings. Since 2017, she has consistently been one of the «Best Lawyers in France» in the field of arbitration and mediation. In 2017, she also succeeded Prof. Gabrielle Kaufmann-Köhler and Ms. Wendy Miles KC by winning the «Best in Commercial Arbitration Award» at the Euromoney Women in Business Law Awards (Europe). The same year, Legal 500 Paris highlights «Ancet extensive experience in CCI». While Annet acts primarily as an arbitrator, she also acts as co-counsel with other law firms, particularly in the intellectual property and construction sectors. By operating in a small structure, Annet is able to avoid the conflicts of interest that are so prevalent in large companies, especially for arbitrators.

It also allows Annet to spend more time on in-person business, which translates into better customer service. I think this is a good idea, because not all adjudicative institutions seem to apply the same standards. While some institutions have issued their own conflict of interest guidelines, such as the ICC, many institutions do not go beyond the «general» requirements of independence. Annet van Hooft is an independent arbitrator and lawyer based in Paris. After practicing for more than 20 years at major American and British law firms in Brussels, New York and Paris, and practicing law at the ICC Court of Arbitration, she decided to set up her own law firm specializing in international arbitration. The fact that I work in a small structure, which results in little or no conflict, my extensive experience as a referee and my ability to work in several languages sets van Hooft apart from its competitors. In addition, I have expertise in areas where arbitration is often used, such as construction and energy, intellectual property, technology and pharmaceuticals and, of course, corporate disputes. The following year, he was voted one of the ten most prestigious partners in Europe by Who`s Who Legal «Future Leaders». In 2019, Annet was recognized by Who`s Who Legal as a «brilliant lawyer who quickly understands the important points of a case». Since 2020, she has been recognized as a «Thought Leader» by Who`s Who Legal, which at the same time highlights that Annet is «an outstanding figure in the European arbitration market with extensive experience in intellectual property litigation in the life sciences and technology sectors. In 2021, Annet «became one of the best female referees on the Paris and international market». She «is calm, systematic and caring.» Given the increasing number of disputes experienced by arbitrators and lawyers, should there be a set of universal principles of conflict between arbitral institutions? Some countries are in the process of developing new rules for expedited summary proceedings in arbitration.

How quickly can disputes be resolved without violating procedural rights? In the absence of detailed institutional guidelines, the IBA Guidelines on Conflict of Interest in International Arbitration have been widely the beacon of the international arbitration community on conflict issues. Given the last revision in 2014 and the increased demand for transparency, it may be time to reconsider it. Perhaps adjudicative institutions could play a greater role in the review process and thus achieve greater consensus. Of course, the intrinsic role of an arbitrator, which is to render a decision in a dispute between two or more parties, has not changed. However, arbitrators have become more proactive in managing proceedings. Today, it is virtually unknown that at least one case management conference is not held at the beginning of the proceedings, other than several case management conferences during the proceedings. Arbitrators are also sensitive to public policy issues, such as competition law and corruption issues. Adjudicators tend to address these issues more frequently so that they can be dealt with in advance.

She is admitted to practice in both common law and civil law and has practiced in major American law firms in Brussels, New York and Paris. Annet VAN HOOFT has also worked as counsel at the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris, where she handled numerous international arbitrations with a particular focus on Asia and Eastern Europe.