Arbitrators, national and international arbitration practitioners, and speakers from El Salvador, the United States, Mexico, Peru, and Panama gathered at the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) to participate in the Workshop: Arbitration Practice from the Perspective of the Arbitrator and the Lawyer, as well as the Anniversary Cocktail Reception organized by the Panama Center for Conciliation and Arbitration (CeCAP) to commemorate its 25th anniversary.
Sponsored and supported by the Panama Chamber of Commerce, CeCAP offers the business sector arbitration and conciliation administration services as modern alternatives for resolving commercial disputes, serving the entire national and international business community in an expedited, confidential, and objective manner.
“CeCAP has established itself as an institution administering arbitrations and conciliations, becoming one of the most prestigious centers in Latin America, with its own legal personality, attracting parties from North, Central, and South America, as well as Europe,” stated César Tribaldos, President of the CeCAP Board of Directors. He added that “the Center has the support of a highly qualified staff, with lists of arbitrators and conciliators who possess solid professional training and extensive experience in various areas of business.”
For her part, Liliana Sánchez, Director of CeCAP, indicated that the demand for arbitration and conciliation as instruments for resolving disputes has increased in recent years due to the effectiveness, speed, and credibility that CeCAP projects in the administration of arbitral justice. Furthermore, the Center is leading a movement to promote and establish Panama as the leading International Arbitration Center, leveraging the country’s naturally favorable connectivity.
In recent years, CeCAP has administered an average of 80 arbitration cases annually, 20% of which involve international parties. In addition, for over 10 years, the Center has hosted international arbitration hearings administered by international arbitration centers.
To expand its service portfolio, in 2014, CeCAP signed an agreement with the Panama Maritime Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration Center, and in 2018, in strategic alliance with the Panamanian Olympic Committee (COP), it officially launched the Panama Sports Arbitration Tribunal (TADPAN) to provide arbitration and conciliation administration services to these sectors.
With the aim of presenting an international perspective on best arbitration practices worldwide, CeCAP is constantly at the forefront of training initiatives. Therefore, on its twenty-fifth anniversary, it held this Workshop: Arbitration Practice from the Perspective of the Arbitrator and the Lawyer. Over three days, participants gained practical and analytical knowledge through role-playing exercises conducted by national and international arbitrators specializing in arbitration, including: Carlos Arrue (Panama); Cecilia Flores (Mexico); Christa Mueller (Mexico); Claudia Frutos (United States); Humberto Sáenz Marinero (El Salvador); Katherine González Arrocha (Panama); Mario Reggiardo and Roger Rubio (Peru), among others.
The topics covered were divided into six panels: The Presentation of Arbitration: Relevant Aspects to Consider; Procedures and Management of the Opening Hearing; Analysis of the Arbitration Agreement in the Face of a Claim of Lack of Jurisdiction; The Evidentiary Hearing: Preparation and Practice; Provisional Measures vs. Preliminary Orders; and The Law Applicable to the Merits of the Dispute.
After the Workshop, CeCAP offered a Cocktail in celebration of its 25th anniversary with the participation of prominent members of the country’s business and legal community.
Last modified: Tuesday April 28th, 2026
