The latest International Data Insights Report from the Law Society of England and Wales provides an interesting snapshot of arbitration activity in London. It also illustrates why institutional caseloads alone do not provide a complete picture of activity at an arbitral seat.
The figures for ad hoc arbitration are particularly notable. The London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) recorded an estimated 2,015 new cases in 2025, up 16% from 2024 and its highest figure since 2014. More broadly, the report notes that most arbitrations seated in London are ad hoc proceedings conducted under the rules or procedures of specialist trade bodies and organisations such as the LMAA and GAFTA.
Looking beyond case numbers
Case numbers are useful, but they measure only one aspect of arbitral activity. Other indicators provide additional context. LMAA cases generated 3,469 arbitrator appointments in 2025. English law also remained prominent in international arbitration: 79% of cases under the LCIA Rules were governed by English law, while it was the most commonly selected governing law in ICC arbitrations. The report also noted that around 30% of claims issued in the London Commercial Court relate to arbitration, including applications concerning anti-suit injunctions, enforcement of awards and the appointment of arbitrators.
The figures require some caution. Reporting methodologies differ between institutions and organisations, while ad hoc arbitration is inherently more difficult to capture. Case numbers also do not necessarily reflect the value or complexity of the disputes, or the amount of work they generate.
The practical point is straightforward. Understanding activity at an arbitral seat requires looking beyond the headline caseload of any individual institution. Institutional and ad hoc activity, arbitrator appointments, governing law and the role of the courts each provide part of the picture.
No single statistic tells the whole story.
The Law Society’s International Data Insights Report 2026 is available here.