The current ICC Rules of Arbitration have been in force for ten years and during that time the world of international arbitration has undergone great change. Not only is this method of dispute resolution in far greater use than ever before, but it has penetrated all regions of the world. The breadth and scope of its use can be seen in the 2007 Statistical Report of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, which is published in this issue, and in a ten-year retrospective study of ICC arbitration contributed by former Chairman of the Court, Pierre Tercier.

A growing body of users has brought new demands, placing strain on existing structures. ICC is undertaking change on many fronts to address contemporary needs. Besides setting in motion a procedure for a possible revision of its Rules of Arbitration, ICC is in the process of implementing a number of eminently practical initiatives. These include, above all, the expansion of its case management capability, with the creation of a new team in the Paris headquarters of the Secretariat of the Court and the opening of a Secretariat office in Hong Kong. ICCNetcase, a secure platform for conducting proceedings online, has been further refined. And new facilities for conducting hearings in Paris are now available at the ICC Hearing Centre. More details about all of these initiatives can be found in the following pages.

ICC's commitment to the development of international arbitration goes beyond its own services to embrace worldwide practice and thinking. An important part of this commitment is therefore to report on trends across the world. In this issue, readers will find an article by Boris Karabelnikov and Dominic Pellew that takes stock of recent Russian court decisions on the enforcement of awards. There is also a presentation by Fabrizio Marrella of changes about to be introduced in European legislation concerning the law applicable to contractual obligations, as a result of a new Regulation replacing the 1980 Rome Convention. To illustrate the use that has been made of the Rome Convention in arbitration, we are including a number of extracts from ICC awards relating to the application of this treaty in arbitral proceedings.

If there is one message to be drawn from the contents of this issue, it is perhaps that the world of international arbitration cannot afford to sit back, but must remain alert and adaptable, so as to prepare itself for a challenging future. ICC, as one of the world's premier arbitral institutions, must be at the forefront of such developments.

Jason Fry

Secretary General

International Court of Arbitration