A thought leadership project from Stevens & Bolton.

Which jurisdiction leads the way in international dispute resolution?

To answer this question, we surveyed senior lawyers, in-house counsel, barristers and business leaders from across the globe. Respondents shared their experiences of litigation in England & Wales and compared it to other leading forums, giving us a unique perspective on the strengths, challenges and future of dispute resolution.

The findings form the basis of our new white paper: England & Wales v The Rest of the World – Survey Results 2025.

Key findings

Highlights from the research:

• Judicial expertise matters most – the quality and independence of judges in England & Wales is consistently praised and remains a cornerstone of its international reputation.

• Costs remain a barrier – litigation in England & Wales is widely seen as expensive, with respondents calling for reforms such as cost capping and more efficient case management.

• Arbitration is strong competition – nearly half of respondents said they would opt for arbitration over court proceedings, but the Commercial Court of England & Wales remains a highly trusted choice.

• Technology and efficiency are key – wider adoption of digital tools, online dispute resolution and streamlined procedures are seen as essential for the jurisdiction to stay competitive.

Why it matters

England & Wales continues to be a leading forum for international disputes — but the survey results highlight areas where reforms could strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive global market.

The white paper explores these themes in detail and sets out recommendations for government, practitioners and clients.

Download the report

> Download the full white paper here

Thank you

We are grateful to all participants who took the time to share their views and experiences, helping to shape the findings in this report.