Expert witnesses for
VIAC disputes across
Commercial
VIAC registered 72 cases in 2023 — a 20% increase from the prior year — with 51% of disputes under the EUR 500,000 threshold, reflecting its strength in mid-market Central and Eastern European disputes. Founded in 1975, VIAC draws on Austria's historic position as a neutral bridge between Eastern and Western Europe.
Masin provides expert witnesses for VIAC proceedings across commercial, construction, energy and financial disputes — with depth in the CEE sectors that define the institution's caseload.
Expert witnesses for VIAC disputes — CEE perspective
Vienna has served as a bridge between Eastern and Western European commerce for decades — and VIAC reflects this positioning. Austrian law governs a significant share of CEE commercial transactions, and Vienna is the seat of choice for disputes involving Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Polish and Romanian parties who want a neutral European forum without going to London or Paris.
Masin fields expert witnesses with direct Central and Eastern European project and commercial experience — construction, energy, M&A and financial disputes across the region.
Case types covered by Masin
GAR rankings: Global Arbitration Review Expert Witness Firm Rankings, based on independently verified hearing data submitted to GAR.
Business acquisition disputes, supply contract disagreements and commercial agency claims — the dominant VIAC sector. Central and Eastern European M&A transactions frequently generate post-closing disputes over warranties, earn-outs and indemnities, where valuation and damages expert evidence is central.
Infrastructure, real estate development and construction disputes — a significant share of the VIAC caseload, reflecting Austria's role as a hub for CEE investment and the volume of construction activity across Central and Eastern Europe. FIDIC and local contract forms both feature.
Oil, gas, renewables and power disputes — often involving CEE energy infrastructure, transit agreements and investment claims under the Energy Charter Treaty. Austria's geographic position and Vienna's neutral status make VIAC a natural forum for energy disputes between Eastern and Western European parties.
Software and IT disputes, technology licensing and digital services disagreements. The growing technology sector across CEE markets generates contract disputes that require specialist expert evidence on software performance, implementation standards and commercial damages.
Banking and financial product disputes — particularly involving CEE financial institutions, Austrian banks with regional operations and cross-border financing agreements. Expert evidence on financial modelling, market practice and economic damages.
VIAC administers a growing number of investor-state cases, particularly under bilateral investment treaties involving CEE states. Expert evidence on fair market value, expropriation and state regulatory interference is required in these cases.
From instruction
to tribunal-ready
What makes this forum distinctive
VIAC's strength is in the Central and Eastern European corridor — disputes involving Austrian, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian and Balkan parties. Its rules are modern and efficient, with expedited procedures and emergency arbitrator provisions. The Vienna seat offers a neutral European location that is neither London nor Paris.
The people behind the opinion
