Patricia Saiz appointed co-chair of the IBA Arbitration Committee
Patricia Saiz has been appointed co-chair of the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Arbitration Committee, reinforcing Spain’s presence in the international dispute resolution arena. Her appointment will take effect on 1 January 2027.
Saiz, an independent arbitrator based in Madrid, will succeed Kate Brown de Vejar, global co-chair of international arbitration at DLA Piper, who is stepping down after two years in the role. She will lead the committee alongside Dietmar Prager, partner at Debevoise & Plimpton, who took up the co-chair position last year.
The IBA Arbitration Committee plays a key role in developing some of the most widely used soft-law instruments in international arbitration. Its guidelines on matters including the taking of evidence, conflicts of interest and party representation have become established references for arbitrators, counsel and courts worldwide.
The profile
Saiz brings 25 years of experience in the legal sector, having acted as both arbitrator and counsel in numerous proceedings under the rules of leading international arbitration institutions. Her experience spans a broad range of industries and matters, including energy, construction and engineering, M&A, corporate disputes, finance, insurance and technology.
Between 2018 and 2024, she also served as a member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, where she scrutinised dozens of arbitral awards in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
