LL: Are you seeing an increase in arbitration being driven by the spike in energy prices?

Stampa: Not yet, but it will surface sooner rather than later, due to the increase in associated costs in the global market. This unexpected increase will generate a lot of disputes related to these transactions.

What sectors are seeing the most arbitration lately?

EPC construction and engineering.

Why has Spain becoming increasingly important for you from a strategic perspective?

Spain has a privileged geographical location. It is the entrance gate to Europe, and this is attractive. It has made a lot of progress, but it still needs to keep improving towards excellence. We need to believe a bit more in our capacities and advantages.

Spain’s reputation as a reliable Western jurisdiction has improved in recent years. What’s been the cause of that, in your opinion?

There are many factors: good practitioners, multinational projects involving Spanish companies, a good arbitration act. With a bit more of effort and intelligent creativity, Spain could consolidate some of its cities as arbitral seats of reference in certain niches. It might be useful to play a little bit with numbers and become aware of the significant income that a good organization of satellite questions to an arbitration could generate. It is a matter of having entrepreneurial minds on board, with sufficient leadership. If you find some, please let me know!