by Gladwin Issac, Associate, S&R Associates, Mumbai, India

Crina Baltag, In-Charge of Publications at Rising Arbitrators Initiative (RAI) and Senior Lecturer in International Arbitration at Stockholm University in Stockholm meets Lu Fei, Deputy Director (Business Development) of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) in the next episode of RAI’s “Interview the Institution” Series.

In this engaging conversation with Crina, Fei shares her thoughts on how initiatives like the RAI enable in dispelling the notion that international arbitration is “a game of the few”. She discusses the arbitrator appointment process at CIETAC and its unique role in balancing expectations from Chinese as well as international users. Fei then highlights the key factors the Commission takes into account during the appointment process. She also discusses the Commission’s recent appointment trends that are reflective of an increased focus on bringing a more diverse group of arbitrators to the forefront. In her advice to candidates looking for their first appointment, Fei notes the importance of developing professional relationships and mutual trust in the arbitration community along with developing legal and subject-matter expertise.

Watch the full recording of the interview on the RAI website available here.