03/7/2025
In 2024, the Center for Arbitration and Mediation of the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (“CAM-CCBC”) celebrated 45 years in business. Throughout its more than four decades of existence, CAM-CCBC established itself as an institutional benchmark, and the figures regarding the cases administered by the institution demonstrate the success of appropriate dispute resolution (“ADR”) methods in the country. The data and achievements for 2024 were compiled in the “Facts and Figures”[1] report, published annually by CAM-CCBC.
The numbers clearly demonstrate that CAM-CCBC is responsible for about 40% of the market share of ADR-administering institutions in Brazil, making it a relevant indicator of this sector in the country. In this context, once again, an increase in the number of cases initiated before CAM-CCBC was observed: 148 proceedings were filed – comprising 105 arbitrations, 21 expedited arbitrations, 3 requests for emergency arbitrators, and 19 mediations. Although no new request for dispute board was filed, CAM-CCBC currently administers 4 ongoing proceedings under this mechanism.
The amount in dispute of proceedings initiated in 2024 reached 5,9 billion reais in arbitrations and 27 million reais in expedited arbitrations. For arbitration proceedings, the average amount in dispute was 56,4 million reais, while expedited arbitrations – which, under CAM-CCBC’s Rules, cannot exceed 3 million reais – continue to be used for less complex disputes.
The most recurrent matters on disputes followed the historical trend, with corporate disputes once again taking the lead and accounting for 47% of all proceedings initiated, followed by construction and energy (20%), sale of goods and supply of services (15%), and business contracts (9%).
Considering both new and ongoing cases, in 2024, CAM-CCBC administered 482 proceedings. These figures consolidate the relevance of the institution which, since 1989, administered 1.670 proceedings.
Another highlight is the efficiency of arbitration as a jurisdictional method, with the average duration of proceedings being 2 years and 6 months. In addition, two factors contribute to the institute’s effectiveness: the definitive nature of arbitral awards and the low rate of annulment actions being filed before the state courts[2].
Diversity, another cornerstone of CAM-CCBC’s mission, was reflected in the formation of arbitral tribunals. In 2024, approximately 70% of tribunals were composed by both men and women, and 60% had a woman serving as the presiding arbitrator.
Furthermore, it is noteworthy that at least 38% of the cases currently being conducted before CAM-CCBC involve foreign parties – reinforcing the idea that arbitration is an attractive option for international investors.
Responding to market demands, CAM-CCBC launched several unprecedented initiatives, such as the implementation of the new Mediation Rules, which, among other qualities, allow for the parties to indicate the mediator’s desired characteristics, which will be considered by the Presidency in the appointment. Additionally, the new Rules on Early Production of Evidence came into effect in January 2025.
Beyond these improvements, CAM-CCBC remains at the forefront of various institutional initiatives, supporting events such as the Latin American Arbitration Conference (“CLA”) and the XI CAM-CCBC Arbitration Congress, which was held in conjunction with the 17th Biennial Conference of the International Federation of Commercial Arbitration Institutions, as well as financially supporting Brazilian teams participating in the Willem C. Vis Moot, a university-level competition focused on international arbitration.
Silvia Rodrigues Pachikoski, dispute resolution partner at L.O. Baptista, plays a strategic role in the development of arbitration in Brazil and, through her work at the firm, leads a team specialized in handling complex disputes with a focus on agility, technical excellence and consistent results.
[1] Available at: https://www.ccbc.org.br/cam-ccbc-centro-arbitragem-mediacao/en/facts-figures/?__cf_chl_tk=r8gIeSEf57XGSmes14NCQpcGTvp9Fr699lhu.cH53yo-1751553833-1.0.1.1-D0ePcMHIqRuAOAvchnY4HvooOwtzFy8NPg6CltEgpC8
[2] According to the study “Arbitration related lawsuits – a survey on TJSP’s judgments database”, carried out by the Brazilian Arbitration Committee and the Brazilian Association of Jurimetrics in November 2023, arbitral awards are challenged at a rate of approximately 8.4% (Available at: https://cbar.org.br/site/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/relatorio-observatorio-da-arbitragem-cbar-abj.pdf).
Co-authored by: Silvia Rodrigues Pachikoski, Mariana Dias Sallowicz, Gabriel Rogenfisch Quintans, José Victor Palazzi Zakia and Julia Guimarães Rossetto
