Pierre-Yves Gunter

Bär & Karrer Ltd

Geneva www.baerkarrer.ch

pierre-yves.gunter@baerkarrer.ch Tel: +41 58 261 57 00

Biography

Pierre-Yves Gunter has been active in international commercial arbitration since 1991. He has acted as counsel and arbitrator in over 226 cases. After 19 years with Python (formerly Python & Peter), he joined Bär & Karrer in January 2017 as partner and is co-head of the international arbitration group, which consists of 40 lawyers.

What do you enjoy most about working in arbitration?

The ability to constantly learn about new fields of practice and new cultures as well as the diversity of legal and contractual issues.

How has the practice of arbitration evolved since you first began your career?

When I started in arbitration 30 years ago, only a limited number of law firms were active as counsel in arbitration and most arbitrators were university professors. This is obviously not the case today.

How can clients be encouraged to pursue methods of alternative dispute resolution?

Although clients are increasingly familiar with methods of alternative dispute resolution, they still need guidance and they need to be convinced of the efficiency of such methods. For instance, in construction the efficiency of dispute review boards will be affected if most of their decisions can be taken to arbitration.

How effective are virtual hearings and arbitration proceedings compared to their in-person alternative? Do you see them becoming the ‘new normal’?

Everybody realised that virtual hearings can be very efficient. For procedural hearings they will become the norm. For merits hearings it will depend on a number of factors, such as the duration of the hearing, the complexity of the dispute, the location of the participants, etc.

What impact will technological innovation have on the practice of arbitration in the next five to 10 years?

Covid-19 had a positive impact on technological innovation and this will continue even when this pandemic ends.

You have enjoyed a very illustrious career so far. What would you like to achieve that you have not yet accomplished?

To be more involved with investment treaty disputes as arbitrator and to be more involved with Asia-related disputes as counsel and arbitrator.

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received?

Be patient, work hard, produce quality work and develop your network.

WWL says: Pierre-Yves Gunter is revered as “one of the very best arbitrators in the market” with “tremendous experience” and “extensive knowledge”.