AIFC Court & IAC Present 2025 Results & Future Plans

The AIFC Court and IAC held their Annual End-of-Year Reception at the Kazakhstan Embassy in London, UK. The event was attended by current and past Chief Justices and Judges of the AIFC Court, IAC Chairmen, arbitrators, and senior international law firm partners.

Mr. Ruslan Karabulov, Chargé d’Affaires of Kazakhstan in the UK, gave an opening speech of support. Speeches were also given by the Chief Justice of the AIFC Court, The Rt. Hon. The Lord Burnett of Maldon, the IAC Chairman, Mr. Thomas Krümmel, and the Registrar and Chief Executive, Mr. Christopher Campbell-Holt OBE.

Since commencing operations on 1 January 2018, the AIFC Court and IAC have completed and enforced more than 4,600 cases*, including 222 Court judgments, 1,032 arbitration awards, and 3,422 mediation settlements, with 100% enforcement in Kazakhstan and successful enforcement in other countries including the UAE, Turkey, and South Korea. 2025 was a particularly successful year, with close to 1,300 cases being resolved and enforced.

Parties from 36 countries, including Kazakhstan’s key trading partners, have used the AIFC Court and IAC, with model dispute resolution clauses included in more than 12,000 business contracts.

Of particular note this year was the launch by the AIFC Court and IAC of their “Legal Tech Lab”, in cooperation with leading universities in Kazakhstan and China. It was the first project of its kind in Eurasia, and it will advance AI-assisted legislative drafting and legal practice. The AIFC Court and IAC also launched a new AI-powered transcription service, providing real-time court and arbitration transcription in English and Russian languages; and launched their new Centre for Global Policy Leadership on Dispute Resolution and the Rule of Law (CGPL), to enhance the effectiveness of justice and law-making policy. Mr. Campbell-Holt OBE commented:

“2025 has been another exceptional year for the AIFC Court and IAC with unprecedented case volume, increased case complexity, and case values exceeding USD 2.5 billion for the first time. There were new AI innovations and youth development programmes, and we are proud that so many people now recognise our Court and IAC as the standalone leaders in international dispute resolution in Eurasia.”

The AIFC Court and IAC are the preferred institutions for international commercial dispute resolution in Eurasia. Their independence, application of the rule of law, user services, and facilities, have gained the trust of global corporations as ‘deal breakers’ to secure billions of USD investments in Kazakhstan. As ‘Centres of Excellence’, the AIFC Court and IAC also continue to lead the way on dispute resolution innovation and technology and quality of dispute resolution services for investors coming to Kazakhstan.

*Numbers as at 10 December 2025