2025 Annual Report A year of transformation, innovation, and global impact

The Geneva Center for International Dispute Settlement (CIDS) is pleased to announce the publication of their 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year marked by academic innovation, global engagement, and continued excellence in international dispute settlement education. As international dispute resolution continues to evolve, the Master in International Dispute Settlement (MIDS) has strengthened its position as the world's leading LL.M. programme in international dispute settlement through significant curriculum enhancements, expanded experiential learning opportunities, and deeper engagement with the global arbitration community.

A renewed curriculum for a changing profession

In 2025, the MIDS introduced important additions to its academic programme, reinforcing its commitment to preparing students for the realities of contemporary dispute resolution practice. New foundational offerings in Investment Law, International Commercial Contracts, and Construction Arbitration complemented the programme's established strengths in arbitration and dispute settlement. The curriculum also expanded into emerging areas of practice through innovative courses on:

  • Artificial Intelligence tools in arbitration
  • Intellectual Property and Technology disputes
  • Climate change and environmental dispute settlement mechanisms

A new comparative course on challenges to arbitral awards in England, France, and Switzerland provided students with valuable insights into the procedural frameworks of three of the world's most influential arbitration jurisdictions.

Academic excellence and experiential learning

The report highlights the breadth of educational opportunities offered during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years, including:

  • Core courses in commercial arbitration, investment arbitration, state-to-state dispute settlement, and international commercial contracts
  • Intensive courses taught by leading scholars and practitioners
  • Practical workshops on legal writing, advocacy, witness examination, and damages analysis
  • Institutional visits to the ICJ, PCA, Iran-US Claims Tribunal, WIPO, WTO, CAS, ICC, and other leading institutions
  • The annual MIDS Academic Retreat, where students participated in intensive moot-style arbitration exercises before tribunals composed of distinguished practitioners

The report also showcases the impressive range of LL.M. dissertations produced by the MIDS Class of 2025, reflecting cutting-edge scholarship on investment arbitration, international commercial arbitration, technology disputes, sanctions, sustainability, and emerging areas of international law.

Career development and professional partnerships

Supporting students' professional development remained a core priority throughout the year. Through dedicated career services, individual coaching, professional development workshops, and strong institutional partnerships, MIDS students continued to benefit from direct engagement with leading law firms, arbitral institutions, and international organisations. The report highlights longstanding partnerships with organisations including:

  • Lévy Kaufmann-Kohler
  • LALIVE
  • Schellenberg Wittmer
  • Three Crowns
  • MLL Legal
  • The Permanent Court of Arbitration

These partnerships provide scholarships, internships, mentoring opportunities, and practical training that help students successfully transition into professional careers.

A global community

Since its creation, the MIDS has trained nearly 600 students from almost 100 countries. Today, alumni work across law firms, arbitral institutions, governments, international organisations, universities, and corporations worldwide. The report also highlights the continued growth of the MIDS alumni network through the activities of the MIDS Alumni Association, including its mentorship programme and the successful 5th Annual Alumni Conference held in Geneva.

CIDS events and thought leadership

Beyond its educational activities, the CIDS continued to serve as a platform for dialogue and exchange on the most pressing issues facing international dispute settlement. Highlights included:

  • The 7th Annual Schiefelbein Global Dispute Resolution Conference, dedicated to climate change and dispute resolution
  • The MIDS Annual Spring Lecture by Professor Felix Dasser on "Arbitrating in the Age of Chaos"
  • A special lecture by the Registrar of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)
  • An expert discussion on the evolving Treaty on Business and Human Rights

These events brought together academics, practitioners, arbitrators, policymakers, and students from around the world to engage with emerging developments shaping the future of dispute settlement.

Looking ahead

The 2025 Annual Report outlines an ambitious vision for 2026 focused on educational innovation, applied knowledge-sharing, and expanded global engagement. Building on its strong foundations, the MIDS and the CIDS will continue to develop new initiatives addressing artificial intelligence, climate change, business and human rights, and other rapidly evolving areas of international dispute settlement. The publication of this report reflects the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, partners, and supporters, whose contributions continue to strengthen the MIDS and the CIDS as global leaders in international dispute settlement.