The
period between 1920 and 1958 is a crucial phase for the construction of
international commercial arbitration. The history of this construction
coincides to a large extent with the history of the ICC, which has become the
main arbitral institution in the world during this time period. However, the
path to success has not been an easy one. It resulted from a skillful policy
mixing pragmatism to the idealism of its founders. On the basis of this policy
that culminated with the signature of the New York Convention, the ICC
considered carefully the needs of users while promoting a general vision of
international commercial arbitration.