The SCC has published a new Practice Note examining insurance-related arbitrations administered by the SCC between January 2014 and December 2025. The publication provides a comprehensive empirical overview of 51 cases, offering valuable insights into the nature, scope, and evolution of insurance disputes brought before the SCC over more than a decade.

An increasingly international caseload

A defining trend emerging from the data is the increasing internationalisation of insurance-related arbitrations at the SCC. International cases, those involving at least one non-Swedish party, accounted for 37 per cent of the caseload during the period under review, nearly doubling from 20 per cent in the preceding 2002–2013 period. Parties originated from 16 different jurisdictions across Europe and beyond.

This development mirrors the broader internationalisation of the SCC’s caseload. In 2024, 51 per cent of newly registered SCC cases were international disputes, and it is expected that future datasets will further reflect this trend.

Procedural rules and efficiency

The majority of insurance-related arbitrations (64 per cent) were conducted under the SCC Arbitration Rules, whilst 27 per cent were administered under the Rules for Expedited Arbitrations. This reflects the suitability of both frameworks for resolving insurance disputes, as well as the continued use of SCC combination dispute resolution clauses.

The data also highlights the efficiency of SCC proceedings. Cases under the Arbitration Rules were resolved in an average of 11 months, whilst those under the Rules for Expedited Arbitrations were resolved in just 3 months on average. This demonstrates efficiency compared to the SCC’s general caseload.

The total amount in dispute across all insurance-related arbitrations reached EUR 278 million, with cases under the Arbitration Rules accounting for the substantial majority of this figure.

Recourse claims dominate; M&A disputes in decline

The Practice Note shows a shift in the types of disputes brought before the SCC. Recourse claims against third parties emerged as the dominant category, accounting for 38 per cent of cases, up from 26 per cent in the earlier reporting period. Insurance coverage disputes followed at 23 per cent, whilst co-operation and distribution agreement disputes and franchise agreement disputes each accounted for 6 per cent.

By contrast, M&A disputes within the insurance industry declined from 16 per cent in the 2002–2013 period to 4 per cent in the current dataset. This reflects changes in the types of disputes arising in the insurance sector.

Swedish law and Stockholm remain preferred choices

Swedish law governed 91 per cent of insurance-related arbitrations, reflecting both the prevalence of domestic disputes and the international reputation of Swedish contract law. Stockholm served as the seat of arbitration in 90 per cent of cases.

Whilst Swedish was the language of proceedings in 61 per cent of cases overall, English was used in 39 per cent. Notably, all of the most recently registered insurance-related arbitrations were conducted in English, reflecting the increasing international character of these disputes.

Multi-party disputes: A procedural strength

The Practice Note highlights that insurance-related arbitrations frequently involve complex, multi-party constellations. 16 per cent of the cases examined involved more than two parties. The SCC Rules are well suited to address such situations, including through provisions on joinder, multi-contract disputes, and consolidation.

The 2023 revision of the SCC Arbitration Rules further expanded the Board’s powers to consolidate arbitrations. This includes situations where the parties do not agree on consolidation, provided certain criteria are met. These tools help to reduce duplication, manage costs, and improve efficiency.

Continuity and evolution: Comparing two decades of data

Building on the SCC’s earlier Practice Note covering the 2002–2013 period, the new publication provides a longitudinal perspective on developments in insurance-related arbitration. The proportion of cases conducted under the Arbitration Rules has remained broadly stable (62–64 per cent), whilst use of the Rules for Expedited Arbitrations has increased from 2 per cent to 27 per cent. The use of ad hoc services has declined over the same period.

Taken together, the findings present a picture of evolution rather than revolution. The caseload has become more international and complex, while maintaining the procedural efficiency and institutional reliability for which the SCC is known.