The empirical foundation for this analysis derives from interviews conducted as part of a broader research project funded by the United Kingdom's Economic and Social Research Council, examining commercial arbitration practices across 47 countries, encompassing 127 cities and 1,086 interviewees.2 The Montenegro component consisted of a single interview involving two participants, conducted in Podgorica on 3 July 2023. The methodological approach adopted was a semi-structured interview lasting approximately 90 minutes, enabling exploration of emerging themes while maintaining systematic data collection protocols established across the broader research project.

The selection of interviewees employed purposive sampling, drawing upon established legal directories (WhosWhoLegal, Chambers, Legal500), professional recommendations, and comprehensive internet research to identify leading practitioners and knowledgeable participants within Montenegro's limited arbitration landscape. A list of interviewees who have chosen to be publicly identified is available on the project website. While the small number of interviews reflects Montenegro's constrained legal market, a characteristic shared with other peripheral European jurisdictions,3 the depth of engagement provided rich qualitative data regarding market structures, professional practices, and the persistent influence of historical legacies.

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