faqs
Where is the hearing centre? / What does it look like? / How easy is it to get there?
The hearing centre is at 82-92 rue Réaumur, in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. It is in a post-Haussmann, end 19th century grand magasin building. It was part of an architectural movement that represented a modern new Paris adopting innovative building techniques that gave rise to broad, open spaces with a focus on height, breadth and light. The building itself has been meticulously renovated to preserve the spirit of the grand magasin, with large floor to ceiling windows providing broad vistas across the zinc roof tops of Paris towards the Eiffel Tower.
The centre is centrally located with easy access by metro (lines 3, 4, 8, 9 with stops at Sentier, Réaumur-Sebastopol, Arts et Metiers, Strasbourg-Saint Denis, and RERs A, B, D with a stop at Châtelet-les-Halles) and bus, with three drop-off and pick-up points for taxis, and underground parking. The RER B to Charles de Gaulle airport is within a 15mn walk of the centre. The area is the former textiles and crafts part of the city, mere minutes’ walk away from the Centre Pompidou, the Louvre and the Picasso Museum amongst others, and on the cusp of the lively Marais district and various pedestrianised areas for restaurants, bars and cafés.
How many hearing rooms and what are the largest hearings that can be hosted?
There are 4 hearing rooms that can seat 28-36 people each. The hearing rooms can be combined by pairs through a collapsible wall to host even larger hearings, seating up to 80 people (or 100+ depending on the layout). Furthermore, there are 12 breakout rooms, several of which are large enough to accommodate smaller arbitration hearings and/or mediations, plus one 4-person meeting room and visiting offices, which can also serve for witnesses and experts in isolation during cross-examination breaks.
Is there an arbitrator lounge?
The use and value of an arbitrator lounge should not be misunderstood. The necessary separation and space in order to maintain distance from counsel while being able to discuss, consider and relax with colleagues is a valuable service that modern international hearing centres recognise. Consequently, the Paris arbitrator lounge is a first-class executive style salon designed with comfort and relaxation in mind.
Is the centre only for arbitration hearings?
Besides arbitration hearings, PAC is also available for mediations, board meetings, corporate events and conferences, due diligence/physical data rooms, internal investigation hearings, and much more. PAC is a premium corporate venue.
Where are the nearest hotels, and costs?
Within a 15-minute walking radius of the hearing centre there are 27 four and five star hotels: see a map here. In addition there are two apartment hotels, and four more five-star hotels just beyond the radius within a 20 minute walk. The cost in Paris for hotels tends to range from a few hundred EUR per night to several thousand depending on need and availability. PAC will be negotiating special rates with these hotels for all members of the hearing centre and end users.
Can I rent an office and if so for how long and at what cost?
PAC is equipped with several visitor offices. A price list is available here.
Who designed PAC?
The Founding Directors, Iain McKenny and Hafez Virjee, worked closely with a Design Committee composed of the following leading practitioners from the international arbitration community, together with D&B contractors Sowen:
Chairs – Dr Yas Banifatemi (Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes, Paris), Gary Born (WilmerHale, London) and Anneliese Day KC(Fountain Court Chambers, London)
Funke Adekoya SAN (Independent Arbitrator, Lagos), Julie Bédard (Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, New York), Karina Goldberg (Ferro, Castro Neves, Daltro & Gomide Advogados, São Paulo), Thomas Granier (Anima Dispute Resolution, Paris), Neil Kaplan CBE KC SBS (Arbitration Chambers, Melbourne), Elie Kleiman (Jones Day, Paris), Sara Koleilat-Aranjo (Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, Dubai), Christopher Lau SC (3 Verulam Buildings, Singapore), Erin Miller-Rankin (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Dubai), Cameron Murphy (Profile Investment, London), Charles Nairac (White & Case, Paris), Gabrielle Nater-Bass (Homburger, Zurich), Marily Paralika (Fieldfisher, Paris), Prof. Guido Tawil (Arbitration Chambers, Punta del Este)