This article argues that China's 2026 Business Mediation Ordinance represents neither progress toward rule of law nor retreat from it. I propose instead that we are witnessing something I call “calibrated autonomy”—the strategic construction of spaces for private ordering that remain tethered to Party-State oversight through multiple institutional linkages. The dominant scholarly frameworks miss this. Matthew Erie sees new legal hubs; Carl Minzner sees a turn against law; Björn Ahl sees judicial institutional strategies. Each captures something real. But none grasps the distinctive logic at work: the Party-State deliberately creates bounded zones of legal autonomy precisely because such zones serve its interests, while structuring those zones to ensure continued control. This is not rule of law. It is not its absence. It is a third thing—one that challenges us to rethink how we understand legal development under authoritarian conditions. The analysis extends conflict resolution theory by demonstrating that the characteristics Western scholarship treats as universal features of mediation—party autonomy, mediator neutrality, voluntariness—are contingent features of particular institutional arrangements, and it raises practical questions about enforcement of mediated settlements under the Singapore Convention when mediation systems embed state oversight.

The decontamination of thousands of pipes in fire suppression systems, for example, aircraft hangars and firetrucks exposed to aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), may generate large volumes of PFAS-laden water requiring treatment. This study investigated the use of powdered activated carbon (PAC) to remove PFAS from washwater used to rinse pipes from aircraft hangar pipe contaminated with AFFF. The untreated washwater contained 249 µg/L of total PFAS. The concentrations were highest for 6:2 FTS (178 µg/L), PFHxA (48 µg/L), PFOA (9.5 µg/L), and PFPeA (6.2 µg/L). PFAS was removed from washwater during 24-h adsorption experiments conducted over a range of adsorbent masses. Temporal increases were observed between the 2- and 4-h total PFAS concentrations during most of the experiments, corresponding to some PFAS species being displaced during complex competitive adsorption mechanisms. After 24 h in the presence of 0.23 g of PAC per liter of solution, removals of 6:2 FTS and PFHxA, two of the short-chain PFAS, were 95% and 86%, respectively. For long-chain PFAS, PFOA and PFOS were removed to below their quantitation limits (i.e., 1 and 0.01 µg/L, respectively) in most cases. However, removal of 8:2 FTS was only 52% in the presence of 0.0575 grams of PAC, despite having a relatively high Log K _ow and dipole moment values, also pointing to the complexity of PAC adsorption mechanisms in AFFF contaminated water. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to report the use of PAC to treat AFFF washwater, a niche but important matrix.

In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO), a remediation technology for soil and groundwater contamination, utilizes oxidants that can impact the soil environment and indirectly influence soil CO₂ emissions. Understanding these emissions may support more sustainable ISCO applications by enabling adjustments to treatment conditions that limit unnecessary CO₂ release. This study assessed the effects of ISCO on soil CO₂ emission rates and total bacterial counts by evaluating three common ISCO oxidants: hydrogen peroxide (HP), sodium persulfate (SPS), and potassium permanganate (PM), also in combination with various activation methods. CO₂ emission rates from the soil slurry system were measured using a closed static chamber method and expressed in nanograms of CO₂ per gram of dry soil per hour (ng CO₂ g_ds ^–1 h^–1). Under stable conditions, soil CO₂ emission rates were ranked as follows: SPS groups (2.0~4.0) > PM group (1.9–3.1) > HP groups (0.6–1.8) ≈ original soil (0.4–1.0), while total soil bacterial counts (CFU g_ds ⁻¹) ranked as: PM group (~10⁷) > HP groups (~10⁶) > original soil (~5.0 × 10⁶) > SPS groups (~10⁴–10⁶). Most oxidant activation treatments led to higher CO₂ emission rates and soil bacterial counts, except under alkaline activation. These findings demonstrate the influence of different ISCO processes on soil CO₂ emissions and offer a baseline for emission rates during ISCO remediation.

Arbitragem; disputas de construção; contrato de construção; ônus da prova; nexo causal; standards probatórios; protocolos internacionais.

In the context of construction arbitration proceedings in Brazil, this article addresses the lack of explicit and well-defined criteria within the Brazilian legal framework regarding the burden of proof borne by the parties and its impact on the resolution of complex construction arbitration disputes. Recognizing the pressing need for a solution, even if preliminary, the article advocates for the adoption of standards and international protocols as a means of bridging existing legal gaps. It further discusses the necessity for the arbitral tribunal (or sole arbitrator) to ensure that the parties are informed – preferably from the outset of the arbitral proceedings (by means of the well-known Procedural Order No. 1) – of the evidentiary standards to be applied. The article concludes that the proposed measures foster a more transparent approach to resolving complex construction arbitration disputes and afford the parties greater predictability in formulating their respective strategies.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Arbitragem internacional; inteligência artificial (IA); resolução de disputas; tecnologias emergentes; governança algorítmica.

This article examines the existing changes in contemporary international arbitration practice resulting from the increasing use of technological tools, with a particular emphasis on the application of artificial intelligence (AI). Employing theoretical-investigative and comparative legal methods, the author seeks to analyse the instrumental role to be played by AI within arbitral institutions and to explore the multifaceted intersections of AI-based technologies at various levels: the strengthening of arbitral institutions; the procedural use of AI in arbitration; the emerging legal framework related to AI and arbitration; and the consideration of emerging technologies as the subject of disputes submitted to arbitration, including those concerning AI, blockchain, information security, privacy, and data protection. The article also addresses the risks and limitations associated with the use of AI tools, underscoring the importance of human intervention and correction as a safeguard against an “algorithmic supremacy” over the dispute resolution domain. As a final contribution, the study assesses the practical potential of AI in arbitral proceedings, weighed against the necessary ethical, legal and procedural safeguards posed by the intensive use of emerging technologies.

This article examines the legal nature of decisions rendered within the framework of autonomous evidence production in arbitration. It explores the criteria required for a decision to qualify as an arbitral award, thereby enabling an assessment of certain decisions that may be issued in this context, with the purpose of discussing their proper classification as procedural orders or arbitral awards.

This article examines the evolution and challenges of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) in the United States and Brazil, highlighting how this mechanism consolidated itself in distinct institutional and cultural contexts. In the U.S., ODR emerged in the 1990s as a response to the growth of e-commerce and the demand for swift and cost-effective solutions to consumer disputes, being driven by private platforms such as eBay and by academic research led by Ethan Katsh, gaining legitimacy through its practical effectiveness. In Brazil, by contrast, ODR was introduced in an institutionalized way through the Judiciary and legislative initiatives, with legal milestones such as CNJ Resolution nº 125/2010, Law nº 13.140/2015, and the 2015 Code of Civil Procedure, all of which encouraged mediation and conciliation as alternatives to excessive litigation. Despite progress, ODR in Brazil still faces major obstacles: a state-centered legal culture, resistance from legal professionals, lack of digital infrastructure, unequal access to the internet, and the absence of structured public policies. Nonetheless, the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of online mediation, revealing its potential for democratizing access to justice, especially in lowcomplexity disputes with high social relevance. The study concludes that in contexts marked by structural inequalities, ODR can serve as an emancipatory instrument, expanding legal inclusion through reduced costs, faster procedures, and greater accessibility. Therefore, its critical and well-planned incorporation into the Brazilian justice system is not only desirable but necessary to effectively realize the constitutional right of access to justice, consistent with the principles of efficiency, dignity, and equality.

Ethnic conflicts have emerged as a central concern in contemporary global politics and represent a major challenge to international peace. As part of the conflict-prone African continent, Ethiopia continues to face this pressing issue. The ethnic conflict in Ataye Town and its surrounding areas, though previously unstudied through rigorous academic inquiry, constitutes a significant case. Since identifying the actors in a conflict and their underlying interests is essential for resolution, this study aims to identify the major actors involved in the April 2021 inter-ethnic conflict in Ataye Town and the surrounding areas of the Oromo Special Zone in the Amhara Region. It also examines how and why these actors became involved. To achieve these objectives, the study adopted a qualitative approach, drawing on primary and secondary data analyzed thematically. Following a thorough analysis, the study finds that the April 2021 inter-ethnic conflict involved several actors, including the TPLF, OLA/Shene, the Amhara Special Force, arms and human traffickers, local and zonal administrators, and regional governments. This study demonstrates that while primordial and constructivist factors provide context, the conflict is most convincingly explained through an instrumentalist lens, wherein ethnicity is manipulated for political and economic gain. To prevent future conflicts, the study recommends addressing the root causes and engaging in genuine reconciliation regarding past conflict incidents.

Community mediation was conceived as a community-based alternative to courts, yet dominant models were elaborated in relatively homogeneous settings. High-density, multiracial and multireligious cities generate recurring disputes in shared spaces, but also amplify identity meanings, structural inequalities, and legitimacy concerns linked to dense institutional fields. These plural city conditions shape who enters mediation, how parties participate, and whether outcomes endure. This article advances a contextual theory that starts from these urban conditions and specifies four interdependent dimensions that structure community mediation trajectories: identity configuration, power asymmetries, institutional trust, and grassroots ownership. A process model explains how these dimensions operate across entry, preparation, facilitated interaction, and implementation, and how they form recognizable configurations that widen or narrow the range of plausible outcomes. The theory is grounded through a practice-based qualitative analysis of anonymized program documents and reflective case materials, reported through four composite vignettes. The article offers testable propositions for evaluation and a parallel community-learning loop that supports collective sensemaking beyond individual cases.

Reconciliation studies (RS) has become increasingly influential in understanding alternative views to ending conflict and dealing with the aftermath. As a discipline or field, however, it is not well defined. The actual usefulness of reconciliation (as a concept), or of RS (as a discipline), is debated, and due to its growing usage, it is critical to understand what is meant by it so that we can better evaluate its utility. In this article, I seek to show what RS actually is by reviewing existing literature and illustrating the definitional and conceptual gaps that complicate arriving at a shared understanding while outlining its main features. First, I look at definitions of the concept of reconciliation in the academic world, followed by the applied world. Then I look at RS as an academic discipline, starting with academic departments that offer degrees in Reconciliation (Studies). I then show that there are commonalities in definitions of RS and argue that it has distinct features, which is why it should be considered a separate discipline from others with which it is often associated (e.g., Conflict Resolution, Theology). I conclude with critiques of the concept of reconciliation and reconciliation studies, as well as further questions and suggestions. My approach is thus inductive, viewing academic research that uses reconciliation and/or is working within reconciliation studies and academic programs as empirical data to build a definition of reconciliation studies.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) challenge wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs) not as conventional contaminants moving linearly from influent to effluent, but as a distributed mass that partitions, transforms, and recirculates across solids, liquids, foam, aerosols, and off-gas. Drawing on recent full-scale monitoring studies, fluorine mass-balance analyses, and statistical evaluation of nationwide data sets, this perspective demonstrates that treatment processes compress influent PFAS variability into narrow effluent and biosolids distributions, erasing source fingerprints while redistributing rather than removing mass. These observations motivate a management approach centered on PFAS mass balance rather than end-of-pipe concentration control. We propose a practical, eight-step decision framework that integrates three tiers of action: (1) source identification, classification of “low-strength,” “medium-strength,” and “high-strength” influent streams, and deployment of high-leverage pre-treatment; (2) targeted in-plant controls focused on enrichment points such as foam, aerosols, and sidestreams, with polishing reserved for clean matrices where media exhaustion and residuals can be managed; and (3) residuals strategies that address PFAS in biosolids, concentrated liquids, and air-pollution-control byproducts through destruction (e.g., supercritical water oxidation, pyrolysis, mechanochemical destruction, wet oxidation), or stabilization. The framework embeds conceptual PFAS flux diagrams, explicit consideration of regulatory and permitting constraints, and iterative triple bottom line evaluation to compare treatment trains on the basis of net mass reduction, cross-media trade-offs, life-cycle cost, and community acceptability. This integrated model provides utilities with a structured pathway from diagnosis to implementation, helping avoid stranded investments in low-leverage technologies and supporting PFAS management strategies that are technically defensible, regulatorily viable, and aligned with long-term environmental and public health protection.

Una faceta que hace sui generis al arbitraje es que mezcla roles. A diferencia de lo que ocurre en las jurisdicciones locales, en las que—con grado diverso de acentuación—existe una línea divisoria clara entre quienes juzgan y quienes abogan, y dicha línea, aunque jurídica en origen, permea a lo social, en arbitraje los actores de ambos ‘bandos’ coexisten cotidianamente. Se relacionan. Interactúan. Se desenvuelven. Pero sobre todo, se intercambian: el abogado de hoy es el árbitro del mañana—y viceversa. Como es natural, cuando existe interacción (profesional u otra) suelen surgir relaciones personales: desde amistad hasta enemistad—a veces sentimentales.

Qua fenómeno, ruega una pregunta: sus implicaciones axiológicas. Ello se desdobla en tres cuestiones: si el que ello ocurra está bien. Si existe, o debe existir, algún límite. Y si deben adoptarse directrices deontológicas.

En este ensayo busco ofrecer una respuesta. Para ello, daré un paso atrás y examinaré las relaciones sociales en la industria y comunidad de la solución de controversias utilizando análisis económico, sociológico y psicológico del Derecho. Comenzaré citando crítica del fenómeno (§I), para luego escudriñarla (§II) incluyendo sociológica y económicamente (§III), finalizando con reflexiones, lecciones y pautas (§IV).

Zusammenfassung

 Der vorliegende Beitrag zeichnet die Regulierungsvorhaben betreffend den Einsatz von KI in der internationalen Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit nach. Während erste Texte wie die KI-Richtlinien des SVAMC den Fokus noch auf allgemeine Grundsätze legten, konzentrieren sich neuere Instrumente der SCC, CIArb, AAA-ICDR und VIAC stärker auf die praktische Anwendung von KI. Die EU-KI-Verordnung fügt verbindliche Regeln hinzu, stuft bestimmte KI-Anwendungen als “Hochrisiko-KI-Systeme” ein und erlegt Schiedsrichter:innen und Schiedsinstitutionen teils weitreichende Compliance-Pflichten auf. Trotz einer deutlichen Annäherung bei den zentralen Garantien für ein ordnungsgemäßes Verfahren und die höchstpersönliche Entscheidungsfindung des Schiedsgerichts bestehen in anderen Bereichen wie den Offenlegungsstandards für den Einsatz von KI weiterhin Unterschiede.

This review synthesizes current research on the phytoremediation potential of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) for heavy metals, including arsenic, aluminium, mercury, copper, lead, cadmium, nickel, and zinc, as well as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” A structured and transparent review of interdisciplinary studies was conducted across greenhouse, field, hydroponic, and amendment-based experiments. Findings indicate that hemp exhibits strong tolerance and accumulation capacity for cadmium, lead, and arsenic, with metal uptake primarily concentrated in roots. Cultivar differences significantly influence both uptake efficiency and biomass yield. PFAS uptake is selective, with higher bioconcentration observed for short-chain and carboxylic acid compounds, although overall soil PFAS removal remains low to moderate. Remediation efficacy is modulated by soil properties, biosolid amendments, and microbial symbioses, which enhance PFAS bioavailability and plant tolerance. Comparative assessments reported in the literature suggest that hemp's rapid biomass production and adaptability may offer advantages over other phytoremediation species. However, limitations in PFAS degradation and ecological risks, such as PFAS accumulation in pollen, persist. Integration of soil amendments and microbial inoculants shows potential to enhance hemp growth rates and PFAS tolerance; however, further testing and field validation are required. This review underscores hemp's potential as a sustainable phytoremediation agent and a component of integrated PFAS remediation strategies, while highlighting the need for standardized protocols and risk assessments to ensure environmental safety and practical scalability.

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), specifically mediation, is one of the major tools that are now used to address the rising number of consumer market disputes in the physical and online marketplaces. With increasing numbers of individuals referring to the government agencies, private mediation centers, and online dispute resolution (ODR) platforms, the question remains: which of them is more productive, just, and efficient as an institution? This study examined the effectiveness of consumer mediation across government mediation forums, private mediation centers, and e-commerce-based ODR platforms. The research design was a mixed-method one. The 500 consumer mediation cases were analyzed quantitatively to ascertain the degree of resolution, time to settlement and compliance on the postsettlement aspect in the institutional forums. This was complemented by the qualitative data that were acquired on 75 semistructured interviews with consumers and mediators, and enabled the gain of a better understanding of procedural fairness, power relations and experience by users. Qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings demonstrated significant variation in mediation outcomes across institutional settings. Private mediation centers and ODR platforms exhibited higher resolution efficiency and compliance rates, while government mediation forums showed comparatively lower performance, particularly in cases involving pronounced power asymmetry. Qualitative findings further revealed that perceptions of procedural fairness, mediator intervention, and institutional follow-up mechanisms played a critical role in shaping trust and satisfaction with mediation outcomes. The paper concludes that the issue of institutional design has decisive power in the effectiveness and sustainability of consumer mediation. Procedural transparency, capacity of the mediator, and enforcement may be very beneficial in enhancing access to justice and consumer confidence in dispute resolution mechanisms, particularly in government forums.

This paper reports on a US project-based treatability study that describes the baseline geo-environmental characterization and pH buffering of soil surrogates containing 20 (S2X) or 40 (S4X) percent acid tar by volume (where X denotes testing phase) and various stabilization/solidification (S/S) mix designs using powdered ladle slag (PLS), a 60/40 (w/w) blend of Type IL Portland Cement (PC) and Grade 120 NewCem (NC) slag cement, and bentonite (B) for some mixes. The soil surrogates reflected the expected in situ S/S (ISS) profile comprising an ISS rig working platform, residual tar, bottom lagoon liner materials, and shallow subsurface soils after the bulk tars are excavated for incineration. The total benzene content of the S41, S42, and S22 soil surrogates averaged 16,300, 24,000, and 10,568 mg/kg, respectively, with corresponding sulfur contents of 28,350, 93,500, and 43,500 mg/kg and pH values typically less than 0.5. EPA 1313 testing on the S41/S42 soil surrogates tracked the leaching of EPA target analyte list (TAL) metals over a range of pH and also indicated that it took about three equivalents of base addition to maintain pH conditions above 8 to ensure the long-term stability of the ISS mixes. EPA 1316 M leaching of volatile organic compounds indicated that the S41, S42, and S22 media were characterized by benzene effective concentrations of 497, 406, and 318 mg/L, respectively. The S41 and S42 surrogates were extremely challenging to solidify, requiring 5 wt% PLS + 35 wt% PC/NC to exceed the relatively modest unconfined compressive strength (UCS) target of 276 kPa (40 lb/in²). Regardless of UCS, most ISS mixes met the permeability criterion of less than 1 × 10⁻⁶ cm/s. The minimum ISS reagent dose satisfying the UCS, K, and residual pH buffer capacity (3 meq/g) targets for 28-day cured mix designs for the S22 soil surrogate was 5 wt% PLS + 30 wt% PC/NC + 0.5 wt% B. This was the minimum reagent dose proposed for long-term leaching and field pilot testing.

This paper reports on a US project-based treatability study conducted for a confidential client and focuses on the long-term leaching of benzene and metals from soil surrogates containing 20% (S2X) or 40% (S4X) acid tar by volume (where X denotes the testing phase) and their stabilization/solidification (S/S) mix designs (M2X or M4X) formed with grouts of powdered ladle slag (PLS), a 60/40 (w/w) blend of Type IL Portland Cement (PC), and Grade 120 NewCem (NC) slag cement, and, in some mixes, bentonite (B). Long term semi-dynamic leaching tests modified (M) for use with hydrocarbons (EPA 1315M) were performed on S/S-treated soil surrogates cured for 28 days. Percent leaching reductions (%LRs) were calculated by comparing quasi-steady-state benzene concentrations from EPA 1315M to the effective solubility of benzene in the untreated soil surrogates (318 mg/L for S22; 406 mg/L for S42). Minimum %LR values of 93.7% and 92.8% were observed for M22 mixes tested with and without 0.5% B, respectively. Parallel testing was conducted using freshly mixed (FM) M22 materials placed in a specialized extractor, where benzene leached into an overlying water cap beneath a continuously exchanged headspace over 91 days. The mass transfer rates from the FM tests compared very well with those from the EPA 1315M tests beginning around day 35, coinciding with the end of the startup period for the 28-day cured samples. The strong agreement of these data essentially validated the accuracy and effectiveness of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) liner used in the EPA 1315M test. The corresponding EPA 1315M leaching of most trace heavy metals (Sb, As, Be, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mo, Ni, and Ag) were at or below their respective method detection limits for all leaching intervals for all mix designs. Cd, Se, and Zn showed similar performance with a few outliers. Ba concentrations were between 20 and 100 µg/L. Mo and V concentrations from the pH-dependent leaching (EPA 1313) test never exceeded 10 µg/L and were up to 100 times lower than those from the untreated soil surrogates at the same pH. After the 63-day EPA 1315M test, the unconfined compressive strength of the test samples was at least 689 kPa (100 lb/in²) greater than their 28-day values.