Having recently begun acting as an international arbitrator, I find that there are three overriding principles that guide my work. The first is that the arbitration should be conducted efficiently. Ground rules and schedules will be established early and, most importantly, will be adhered to. Parties will be expected to present their evidence and case and will be given all reasonable means to do so. However, delaying tactics will not work. Arbitration has been subjected to criticism for becoming more like litigation, too long and too expensive. The best way to deal with this is handling the case in an expeditious manner. This also holds for my work as an arbitrator; I will issue awards in a timely manner—no longer than three months and usually between one and two months. My second principle is that it is the arbitrator who should handle the arbitration proceeding, issue the relevant orders and write the award and not assistants or tribunal secretaries. The third principal may come as a surprise given my common law legal training and bar membership. And this is that discovery and orders for document production should be used judiciously and in response to particular requirements of the case.