Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go: Challenging Arbitrators Before It’s Too Late
A fast-paced breakfast session on one of arbitration's most delicate topics: challenges to arbitrators. Through practical examples and war stories, we will explore different grounds for challenge and what practitioners should watch for before a challenge becomes inevitable.
Date: 08 October 2026
Time: 08.45–09.30
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
What’s on the agenda
- Opening remarks: key findings from the latest SCC report and recent trends in challenges to arbitrators
- Lightning perspectives: three short talks, each on a different ground for challenge:
- When an arbitrator’s conduct becomes the issue
- Conflicts of interest that call independence and impartiality into question
- Disclosure failures and repeat appointments: what parties need to know
- Panel discussion, stories from the front line:
- Memorable challenge applications and lessons learned
- Technical conflicts vs. real concerns
- Strategic vs. legitimate challenges
- “Would you challenge?” rapid-fire scenarios with the audience (if time allows)
Speakers
- Jake Lowther, Specialist Counsel, SCC Arbitration Institute (moderator)
- Dr Eveli Lume, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
- Triinu Hiob, Partner, NJORD
- Albertas Šekštelo, Partner, MOTIEKA
Why attend?
- Learn to identify challenge risks early
- Understand how institutions and tribunals approach challenges
- Avoid the situations that make parties say: “Wake me up before you go-go… because this arbitrator may need to go.”
Venue: Erinevate Tubade Klubi, Telliskivi tn 60a-1, 10412 Tallinn, Estonia
Co-organised by the SCC Arbitration Institute and the Swedish Arbitration Association, hosted by MOTIEKA.