The Scottish Arbitration Centre (SAC) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) have entered into a cooperation agreement to advance international dispute resolution.

SAC and ICSID will cooperate to promote and disseminate knowledge of arbitration, conciliation, mediation, and other alternative methods of dispute resolution, and to share hearing and meetings facilities and services.

The agreement was signed by Gillian Carmichael Lemaire, Chair of the Board of SAC, and Martina Polasek, Secretary-General of ICSID.

Ms Carmichael Lemaire said: “The Scottish Arbitration Centre is honoured to have agreed closer ties with ICSID and the World Bank Group and to offer ICSID users facilities here in Scotland. ICSID plays a crucial role in administering dispute resolution between investors and States and administers hundreds of international arbitration cases. The Centre is a much younger and smaller institution, but we remain committed to promoting arbitration and Scotland as an arbitral seat and venue, as well as offering hearing facilities, and welcome the opportunity to offer such facilities to ICSID in Scotland.”

Ms Polasek said: “At ICSID, we are committed to expanding our global presence, deepening our engagement with Member States, investors, and legal practitioners, and ensuring that hearing arrangements are as convenient and cost-effective as possible for each proceeding. Collaborating with leading institutions around the world is central to advancing these priorities. I warmly welcome this agreement between SAC and ICSID as a reflection of our shared commitment to excellence in international dispute resolution.”

A signing ceremony took place during the Edinburgh International Arbitration Festival (ArbFest2026) on 4 September 2026, involving Ms Carmichael Lemaire, Andrew Mackenzie, the CEO and Registrar of SAC, and Frauke Nitschke, Chief Counsel at ICSID, on behalf of ICSID.

Part of the World Bank Group, ICSID is the world’s leading institution devoted to the resolution of international investment disputes. Its primary purpose is to promote the mobilization of private capital across borders by providing a neutral, efficient, and reliable forum for dispute settlement between investors and States. ICSID administers cases under a variety of procedures, including arbitration, conciliation, and mediation, when agreed by the parties in a dispute arising from investment contracts, treaties, or laws. Established in 1966 under the ICSID Convention, the Centre offers a unique legal framework and specialized expertise that help foster favourable investment climates that are conducive to economic growth and job creation. As of September 2026, ICSID has 159 Member States.

SAC is the home of domestic and international arbitration in Scotland.  It launched arbitration rules for administering arbitration in 2022 and mediation rules in 2025 and has facilities for hosting hearings in Edinburgh.