The ICC Institute of World Business Law has launched the 2009 contest for its bi-annual prize rewarding outstanding legal writing and contributions to international commercial law. The winner will receive a €10,000 cheque.

The first edition of the prize, launched in 2007, saw 11 entries in both English and French from six countries. Among the topics covered were the Vienna Convention, international contract negotiations, international global disputes at the World Trade Organization, and a variety of global issues in arbitration.

The award went to Vincent Chantebout for his submission: “The prohibition of the review on the substance of the arbitral award.” Mr Chantebout’s paper was chosen unanimously by the five-member jury, made up of ICC Institute of World Business Law Council members.

Charles-Emmanuel Coté received a special mention for his submission, “The participation of private persons in the settlement of international economic disputes: the enlargement of legal standing in the WTO.” His thesis was published by Bruylant.

Contestants must enter by 1 July 2009, with the prize winner announced in November. The award will be given in Paris on 7 December, 2009 on the occasion of the annual meeting of the Institute of World Business Law.

The competition is open to any person except members and former members of the ICC Institute of World Business Law, members of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and its Secretariat, employees or colleagues from jury members’ companies. Candidates cannot be older than 40 years on the closing date for the entries.

The works submitted should be between 200 and 250 pages excluding auxiliary material such as prefaces, indexes, and appendices. The submissions may be written in English or French, the two official languages of ICC. Authors will retain the copyright of their works and are free to publish them once the jury’s decision has been announced.

“I feel very honoured to be awarded such a prestigious prize,” Mr Chantebout said in accepting last year’s prize at a ceremony in Paris. “An international award of this kind was needed and it is good that the ICC has decided to promote research in the field of international business law.”