In May 2009, the German Arbitration Institute (DIS) with offices in Cologne, Berlin and Munich, launched a regional group in London. The launch of this first DIS regional group outside of Germany was organised by Dr Johannes Koepp of Baker Botts.

At the inaugural meeting of the group, guest speakers Karl-Heinz Boeckstiegel, chair of the DIS board, and Siegfried Elsing, spoke to the nearly fifty-strong audience about the history of the DIS and its aspirations in establishing a regional group in London.

Despite German businesses being the foremost users of ICC arbitration (amounting to nearly 10% of parties to ICC arbitration in 2007), Germany is not generally considered to rival Paris or London as a major arbitral destination. However, DIS' move to establish itself outside of Germany, coupled with the comparatively lower legal fees of German counsel, may well increase Germany's popularity amongst arbitration users.

Further DIS London events are being planned for this year and will be added to the PLC Arbitration Events calendar in due course.