Roschier Disputes Index 2024 is now published

Insights|March 11, 2024

The seventh edition of the Roschier Disputes Index looks at prevailing practices and trends in dispute resolution in the Nordics. This year’s edition also includes questions related to topical issues that affect dispute resolution in the Nordic countries and globally.

The Roschier Disputes Index is a Nordic market survey conducted by Roschier in close cooperation with Kantar Sifo Prospera. The results are based on in-depth interviews with general counsels and in-house counsels at the largest companies in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.

The survey focuses on preferred dispute resolution methods, arbitration rules and substantive laws, the disputes companies have in practice, and the best way to manage these disputes. The new themes of this year are connected to ESG and the invasion of Ukraine.

Findings of the survey 2024:

  • As it has for the past decade, arbitration remains the preferred method of dispute overall. As earlier, in Norway litigation is generally favored and this year it is at its highest since 2014.
  • For the first time since 2016 the total number of disputes decreased. In contrast with the previous index, respondents report that most disputes over the past two years have been domestic in nature.
  • After the pandemic, the use of digital tools has surprisingly not become the norm. The vast majority (92%) of companies still prefer hearings with an in-person element over hybrid court and arbitration hearings.
  • ESG-related disputes are still rare among Nordic companies, but global trends indicate that the number of cases will increase.
  • Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a greater impact on companies in Finland and Sweden than those in Denmark and Norway. The cases are often related to exits from Russia or sanctions.

A total of 144 companies participated in the survey.