If you read the press – or at least the law firm marketing materials that land on the desks of corporate in-house counsel – arbitration is in a full growth mode. In 2006, a major accounting firm even issued a purported study of international business and concluded that companies increasingly rely on arbitration as the preferred method of dispute resolution for their international contracts. But the old saw about not believing everything you read applies to international arbitration. These happy reports stand in stark contrast to the frustration being voiced – both in corporate hallways and at conferences – that arbitration has become a slow, cumbersome procedure obsessed with due process at the expense of the efficiency and clarity of the parties’ rights.

Our research identifies 568 outstanding arbitration practitioners from 77 countries. Each received high levels of recommendation from the clients, peers and expert witnesses we canvassed around the world, and they are considered to be pre-eminent as both counsel and arbitrator.

Who’s Who Legal identifies the leading expert witnesses in the field of commercial arbitration. The response to our research was very positive, allowing us to expand our list from 59 experts to 82. Not only do these individuals have an outstanding depth of knowledge in their area of expertise, whether it be financial valuation, accountancy or construction, but they are also recognised for their skill in giving expert oral evidence in commercial arbitrations, encompassing examination in chief, cross-examination and, increasingly, witness conferencing.

We have spent months researching the global commercial arbitration legal marketplace and have selected the 531 arbitrators and counsel recommended to us. All who are listed here who can be considered pre-eminent in the field and are well respected by clients, corporate counsel and peers. For the first time, we also include expert witnesses in our survey and these are acknowledged leaders in fields such as forensic accountancy, construction and economics. We have selected 59 individuals who specialise in commercial arbitration proceedings.

Our research across the CIS countries has identified 41 leading lawyers in this sector.

This edition of The International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration identifies more experts in the field than ever before. This year we have selected 535 individuals from 66 countries, underlining the ever-increasing depth and geographical breadth of expertise in this sector.

Arbitration continues to be a much favoured method for dispute resolution, particularly for international disputes and for those in industries such as construction.

Commercial arbitration is becoming established in Argentina as a popular method for resolving a range of disputes, and particularly in relation to major investment disputes involving foreign companies.

The forum of choice across many industries, commercial arbitration is one of the central methods of dispute resolution in Texas.

Commercial arbitration is growing in popularity in the United Arab Emirates.

Commercial arbitration is once again one of the largest chapters in this publication, reflecting its continued popularity as an alternative to settling disputes in the courtroom. We identify 25 as leaders in the field, with specialities encompassing work as both counsel and neutral in domestic and international matters.