CMS specialist appointed Scotland’s Ambassador to VIAC

Edinburgh-based Senior Associate Steph McTighe becomes the Vienna International Arbitral Centre’s first Scottish representative. Steph McTighe, a Senior Associate and

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Edinburgh-based Senior Associate Steph McTighe becomes the Vienna International Arbitral Centre’s first Scottish representative.

Steph McTighe, a Senior Associate and disputes resolution specialist at law firm CMS, has been appointed as Scotland’s Ambassador to the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC). Based in Edinburgh, McTighe is the group’s first-ever Scottish-based Ambassador, bringing a wealth of dispute resolution experience to her new role.

VIAC is a respected global institution with in-depth knowledge and links across Europe. It assists businesses in resolving disputes between contractual partners through commercial and investment arbitration and other methods, which provide a cost-effective alternative to litigation.

McTighe has advised clients on English law commercial disputes in international arbitration proceedings. She acts for multinational and listed companies, often with a foreign law element, and regularly advises clients throughout the Central and Eastern Europe region. Her arbitration experience includes shareholder disputes between private equity and private businesses across various sectors, including disputes conducted under the VIAC Rules.

In her role as the VIAC Ambassador for Scotland, McTighe will support the promotion of international arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Scotland, working to strengthen links between businesses and VIAC. She will act as VIAC’s local representative, supporting knowledge-sharing, professional engagement, and thought leadership initiatives related to dispute resolution. This will involve contributing to events, discussions, and networking opportunities that enhance collaboration across the international arbitration community.

“I’d like to thank VIAC, and particularly the women running this business efficiency-focused organisation, for the opportunity to be its first Scottish-based Ambassador,” Steph McTighe said of her appointment. “Representing clients through VIAC arbitration, I was also impressed by its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, collaboration and, technology-led approach in dispute resolution. As an English-qualified solicitor based in Scotland, I see particular value for clients and other businesses who can benefit from what VIAC has to offer.”

McTighe added that she looks forward to sharing more about these benefits with her local contacts in the coming months.

Niamh Leinwather, VIAC Secretary General, stated: “We are delighted to welcome Steph to the VIAC Community Ambassador Network. As our first Ambassador for Scotland, she will play an important role in strengthening ties between the Scottish arbitration and business communities and the wider international arbitration network.”

Leinwather also noted that Scotland is an important partner for VIAC and highlighted the longstanding cooperation with the Scottish Arbitration Centre, including through collaboration with Andrew Mackenzie and his team. She looks forward to working with McTighe to further raise awareness of arbitration and other dispute resolution mechanisms through the exchange of expertise, collaboration among practitioners and businesses, and active engagement with the local market.