Patrick Leonard SC

Mr Leonard is one of 12 vice-chairs appointed from different jurisdictions in recognition of their status as leading professionals in their respective regions.

A former member of the executive committee of Arbitration Ireland, Mr Leonard practises as a barrister in commercial and public law and regularly appears in both international and domestic arbitrations as well as leading counsel before the Irish courts.

He was called to the Bar in 1997 and became a senior counsel in 2013. He also qualified as a barrister in England and Wales in 2000.

In a statement, ICC said the new composition of the steering committee, which includes six incumbent vice-chairs, reflects its “ongoing commitment to ensuring balanced representation of established and emerging jurisdictions in dispute resolution, as well as to promoting regional diversity”.

Melanie van Leeuwen, chair of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, said: “Over the last three years, the Commission has been particularly productive in providing guidance and establishing best practices in the fields of effective conflict management, settlement facilitation, leveraging IT in arbitration and disability inclusion.

“We owe a great debt of gratitude to the outgoing vice-chairs and members who have been instrumental in providing the thought leadership necessary to ensuring that the practice of arbitration and ADR is attuned to the needs of its users and in sync with the rapidly changing economic environment.

“I am delighted that the steering committee will be reinforced by such a diverse group of eminent practitioners and corporate representatives.”

Now comprising over 1,400 members from more than 100 countries, the Commission has seen a significant increase in representation from in-house counsel and corporate representatives.

The new composition, which includes members of the ICC Court, who are ex officio members of the Commission, also advances ICC goals to improve gender, generational, professional and regional diversity, moving closer to reaching gender parity.

Hélène van Lith, Commission secretary, added: “The new composition of the Commission and its leadership for 2024-2027 is marked by increased corporate and regional engagement and reflects Melanie van Leeuwen’s vision and perseverance, as well as the strength of ICC’s global network.

“The past term led to the pioneering Commission reports on disability inclusion, settlement facilitation and effective conflict management.

“The upcoming term promises both the completion of ongoing work on anti-corruption and expedited proceedings as well as the creation of new task forces to provide guidance and thought leadership on important topics in international dispute resolution.”