This paper addresses the rights and obligations of advocates appearing in international arbitrations, and the forensic tactics which they are able to deploy in presenting their cases. It looks at the different legal cultures in which international advocates have received their training. Specifically, it raises the question: do advocates trained in the common law have the edge over their civil law counterparts? Or do they not? Is there a more distinct approach which is best suited to the exigencies and special characteristics of arbitration?