The Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation (The Hague CAA) successfully marked its official debut conference with the support of partners, including the International Institute of Air and Space Law (IIASL)−Leiden University, Netherlands Arbitration Institute (NAI), and the muncipilaty of The Hague.
The conference exceeded expectations, attracting over 120 delegates worldwide, surpassing the initial cap of 100 attendees. The inaugural conference was held at two distinguished venues on Friday, 26 January 2024. The Leiden Hague Campus for the morning session and The Hague City Hall in the afternoon. The speakers from around the world engaged in discussions and pioneering insights displayed across the two venues, exploring the complexities of specific topics, including contractual dispute resolution within the global aviation industry, critical examinations of aviation jurisprudence, the role of investor-state arbitration in aviation, and evolving role in specialised arbitration and mediation.
The conference commenced with welcoming remarks from Steven Truxal (professor of air and space law; director, IIASL−Leiden University), Gerard Meijer (president, Netherlands Arbitration Institute; professor, Erasmus University; partner, Linklaters), David Power (co-chair, advisory board, The Hague CAA; special advisor, AERGO Capital; board director−Avi Lease; principal, Solus Capital Partners), and Philip Hughes (head of European aviation plans, cooperation & stakeholder support, EUROCONTROL). After presentations and discussions from all invited speakers, the event concluded with remarks from Paul Jebely (founder and chairperson, The Hague CAA), an expression of gratitude by Alderwoman Saskia Bruines on behalf of Gemeente Den Haag, and a celebratory moment featuring champagne and canapes.
The Hague CAA mission and the conference
The Hague CAA is a specialised, neutral, and independent arbitral institution designed to serve the global aviation industry. Its mission is to offer an effective, efficient, and industry-tailored alternative to traditional court litigation for resolving aviation-related contractual disputes through arbitration and mediation. The Hague CAA has been developed in consultation with many of the world's leading aviation professionals to ensure that it is focused on the specific needs of the aviation industry. Its distinguishing features include 'tribunal composition,' 'diverse expertise,' 'expedited procedures', and 'cost-effectiveness.'
The Hague CAA's success at the Inaugural Conference 2024 highlights the industry's recognition of the need for specialised arbitration in the aviation sector. With insightful discussions and international collaborations, the event has provided a contribution to the future of dispute resolution in the global aviation landscape. The Hague CAA is undertaking to better inform stakeholders of the usefulness of arbitration and mediation in resolving contractual disputes throughout the aviation industry, partly to address some misconceptions.
The Hague CAA's success at the Inaugural Conference 2024 highlights the industry's recognition of the need for specialised arbitration in the aviation sector. With insightful discussions and international collaborations, the event has provided a contribution to the future of dispute resolution in the global aviation landscape. The Hague CAA is undertaking to better inform stakeholders of the usefulness of arbitration and mediation in resolving contractual disputes throughout the aviation industry, partly to address some misconceptions.
Arbitration emerges as a transformative force in reshaping deal settlements within the aviation sector. Arbitration is versatile in diverse aviation scenarios, encompassing a broad spectrum of deal areas and predominantly addressing contractual issues, including the industry's specialised segments. Its application proves instrumental in handling high-stakes transactions such as aircraft sales and purchases with significant financial implications to ensure the seamless functioning of day-to-day services at airports, heliports, and even future vertiports.
Municipality of The Hague as the default seat and conference venue
The inaugural conference of The Hague CAA took place in The Hague, emphasising its significant relevance. Over the past century, The Hague has earned its reputation as the international city of peace and justice. Its unique position as an international centre of decision-making and influence has made it home to more than 200 international organisations, including the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). It is now also the default seat of The Hague CAA.
Another association lies in the fact that The Hague CAA is administered by the NAI, one of the world's leading and oldest international arbitral institutions. Established in 1949, the NAI has successfully administered over 5,000 arbitration cases and is one of the most respected international arbitral institutions in the world. In 2022 alone, the NAI administered a caseload representing more than USD 2 billion in dispute worldwide.
