CIIAM consolidates its role in Ibero-American arbitration with the expansion of its Working Groups

International Commercial Arbitration

The Madrid International Arbitration Centre (CIIAM) is bringing together more than 200 professionals at its 4th Meeting to analyze the challenges of arbitration by sector. The congress is notable for the creation of three new Working Groups in areas such as health and defense, reinforcing its position within the Ibero-American ecosystem.

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El Centro Internacional de Arbitraje de Madrid (CIIAM) has gathered in Madrid to more than 200 experts in their IV Meeting of Working GroupsThe aim is to analyze the progress and challenges of arbitration in key sectors and to present the conclusions of its specialized committees, which have worked throughout the year to adapt the procedures to the real needs of companies.

The event has brought together legal directors from large companies, arbitrators, prestigious lawyers and representatives of sector associations, consolidating the event as a key forum for international business with a focus on the Ibero-American space.

The strategic vision of arbitration leaders

In his speech, José María Alonso, President of CIIAM, described the Working Groups as «the spine of CIIAM, something that sets us apart from the rest of the courts"He emphasized that the year-long collaboration between lawyers, arbitrators, and experts from the same sector "brings their conclusions here to help improve arbitration."

For its part, Adolfo Díaz-Ambrona, President of the Asociación para el Arbitraje Internacional, highlighted the creation of a «large Ibero-American community"around an institution designed to be useful, recognizable, and robust. According to Díaz-Ambrona, the success of CIIAM resides in «an institutional alliance in the fullest sense» that relies on «demanding standards and governance designed to last«.

Institutional support and focus on the end user

The business perspective was provided by Eva Serrano, vice president of the Cámara de Comercio de Madrid, who pointed out that one of the «great successes» of the Center has been «to place users at the center of their activity«. For SerranoThe importance of these Working Groups lies in «Listening to businesses, understanding the specificities of each sector, and constantly adapting arbitration tools to the real needs of the economy«.

In the same line, María José Menéndez, President of CEIA, I affirm that "the level of service quality of CIIAM It is comparable to the leading institutions in world arbitration", and urged 'to emphasize the importance of managing cases in this institution that we have created«.

From Comunidad de Madrid, the Deputy Minister of Justice and Victims, María del Carmen Martín, congratulated the CIIAM for a project that «From the beginning, it has managed to create a solid and internationally recognized space«, remembering that the protection of rights does not always require long and costly processes.

Spanish as a strategic asset in global arbitration

The opening day featured the participation of Mónica Colomer, Director General of Spanish in the World of Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores. Colomer He emphasized that promoting the Spanish language is a «strategic decision", since it is"the vehicle of law and the space in which we thinkWith 500 million native speakers, Spanish stands as asymbol of our shared heritage» in Latin America, and forums such as the one CIIAM They contribute to enhancing it.

New working groups for highly specialized sectors

This fourth edition is notable for the creation of three new Working Groups in 2026, which address the increasing complexity of international business. These join the existing groups already established in key areas for foreign trade.

New CIIAM Working Groups in 2026

Area of ​​specialization	Strategic approach
Health	Arbitration in the healthcare, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
Aeronautical, space and defense arbitration	Conflicts in high-tech industries, defense contracts, and aerospace logistics.
Private clients and family businesses	Dispute resolution in estates, inheritances and family corporate governance.

The working groups that make up the structure of CIIAM are:

• New in 2026: Health; aeronautical, space and defense arbitration; private clients and family business.
• Consolidated groups: Energy, experts, maritime, corporate, sports and entertainment, digital economy and intellectual property, insurance and reinsurance, construction and engineering, and investments and arbitration with States.

Key points and frequently asked questions about CIIAM arbitration

How does a Spanish company benefit from resorting to CIIAM arbitration instead of ordinary courts?

For a company with international operations, arbitration in CIIAM It offers key advantages such as specialization of the referees in specific sectors, a greater speed in conflict resolution and confidentiality of the process, protecting corporate reputation. Furthermore, arbitral awards are more easily recognized and enforced internationally thanks to conventions such as the one in Nueva York.

What do the new Working Groups mean for Spanish exporters?

The creation of groups in health, defense, and family businesses means that exporters in these sectors will have access to a highly specialized dispute resolution forumThis ensures that arbitrators and experts understand the technical and commercial complexities of their industries, resulting in fairer, more predictable decisions tailored to the realities of their global business.

Why is the use of Spanish strategic in international arbitrations managed by CIIAM?

Using Spanish, the official language in some twenty states and spoken by 500 million people, significantly reduces the translation costs and the risks of legal inaccuracy in contracts and procedures. For companies operating in Latin America, litigating in their own language and under a shared legal culture provides greater safety and efficiency, consolidating Madrid as a natural hub for these conflicts.