Ireland has been announced as the location for a new ICDR arbitration hub to support commercial disputes between US companies and EMEA companies. This is a significant development that reflects Ireland’s reputation as a leading global centre for international legal services.
The International Centre for Dispute Resolution (“ICDR”) is the global division of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”) services in the world, serving parties in international dispute resolution proceedings across 100 countries globally.
The announcement of a new ICDR Ireland hub, which is to be located in Dublin, was made on 17 March 2026, at the Irish Consulate in New York, by the Irish Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, speaking alongside Bridget McCormack, President and CEO of the AAA and ICDR.
Through this new initiative, Ireland will play a pivotal role in supporting companies to navigate complex cross-border disputes involving United States and Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA“) companies. In its press release on the establishment of ICDR Ireland, the AAA-ICDR has also announced that Irish barrister, Cian P.Kelly has been appointed to the AAA-ICDR Council and he will also chair the ICDR Ireland advisory board, which will include a panel of both Irish and international arbitration lawyers.
Ireland’s well-developed legal infrastructure, common law tradition and strong support for ADR from both the legislature and the judiciary, as well as its experienced international arbitration practitioners and position as a bridge between the United States and Europe, make it a compelling hub for cross-border dispute resolution. The establishment of ICDR Ireland reinforces the State’s reputation as a jurisdiction of choice for international business and marks a significant milestone for Ireland as a centre for international arbitration.
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