Originally from The Law and Practice of International Arbitration: Essays in Honor of John Fellas – Preview Page

It is our profound privilege to honor Professor John Fellas, whose career embodies a rare and inspiring union of rigorous scholarship and high-stakes practice. Across more than three decades as both counsel and arbitrator on the world stage, Professor Fellas has cultivated a reputation for intellectual depth, judicious pragmatism, and unerring integrity. Yet what makes him truly exceptional is the way he carries the gravitas of his achievements—his many awards and peer accolades, his leadership at the bar, and his distinguished scholarly contributions—with humility, wit, and grace. Whether in the classroom at NYU, in the arbitration hearing room, or in collegial conversation over an intricate doctrinal question, he bridges theory and practice seamlessly, always ready with a curious question, a wry observation, and a refreshing good humor. We admire him not only as a towering figure in international arbitration but as a model of what an engaged, humane academic-practitioner can—and should—be. 

Corruption robs schools, hospitals and others of vitally needed funds. It rots institutions, as public officials enrich themselves or turn a blind eye to criminality. 

• UN Secretary General António Guterres2 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Corruption remains one of the most persistent challenges for the legitimacy and coherence of the investment arbitration system. According to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International, over two-thirds of countries score below 50 (on a 0–100 scale where 0 is “highly corrupt” and 100 is “very clean”), a clear signal that corruption remains a pervasive governance challenge worldwide.3 In the Americas, the regional average stands at approximately 42.2, while Sub-Saharan Africa registers an average near 32.5, underlining persistent vulnerability to corrupt practices in many states.4