This issue of the ICC International Court of Arbitration Bulletin is dedicated to the retiring Chairman of the ICC Court, Robert Briner. During the past nine years, Dr Briner has been the inspiring force behind the continuing advancement of ICC dispute resolution services. He has overseen the implementation of the 1998 ICC Rules of Arbitration with both a great practical sense and a concern for continuity; he has increased the ICC Court's presence worldwide through ceaseless travelling and by encouraging the creation of regional representatives; he has participated in countless seminars and training programmes to share his vast experience and knowledge; and he has contributed actively to the life of ICC beyond its International Court of Arbitration. Under his leadership, the Court has almost doubled in size and increased its geographical representation, new rules have been introduced, existing rules have been revised, and technological tools have been developed to pave the way for the future. Amongst the many qualities for which Dr Briner will be remembered by those who have worked with him are his intellectual curiosity, sense of justice, open-mindedness and humanity. It is fitting that, through the diversity of its contents, this issue of the Bulletin embodies a breadth of vision that Dr Briner has exemplified and encouraged throughout his time as Chairman of the Court.

On arbitration procedure, we publish an introduction to the principal functions of the ICC Court by its Deputy Secretary General, Jennifer Kirby, which will be of particular interest to newcomers. In addition, some suggestions as to possible approaches to drafting awards will be found in an article by a group of authors led by Humphrey LLoyd and Marco Darmon.

With regard to national legislation and case law, readers will find articles by past and present members of the ICC Court on recent developments in Denmark (P.R. Meurs-Gerken), Poland (Andrzej Kakolecki and Piotr Nowaczyk) and Russia (Hiroshi Oda).

Finally, we reproduce several extracts from ICC arbitral awards dealing with the extension of arbitration agreements to non-signatories in groups of companies. They are accompanied by an article by Dominique Vidal, who considers the decisions of national courts and arbitral tribunals on the question.

Anne Marie Whitesell

Secretary General

ICC International Court of Arbitration