This empirical study examines the contemporary landscape of arbitration practice in Scotland through qualitative research conducted as part of a comprehensive project funded by the United Kingdom's Economic and Social Research Council. The research employed a multi-jurisdictional approach, encompassing interviews across 47 countries, 127 cities, and involving 1,086 interviewees, with the broader project examining commercial arbitration practices throughout Europe.2

The Scottish component of this research comprised nine semi-structured interviews conducted across three major legal centres: Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh. The fieldwork was undertaken between September and October 2022, with two interviews conducted in Glasgow on 22 September 2022, two in Aberdeen on 3 October 2022, and five in Edinburgh on 5-6 October 2022. All interviews were conducted by the author and professionally transcribed following digital recording. The selection of interviewees employed a systematic approach, drawing upon established legal directories (WhosWhoLegal, Chambers, Legal500), professional recommendations, and comprehensive internet research to identify leading practitioners and knowledgeable participants across the Scottish arbitration landscape.

Full article below: