The “proactive” arbitrator is usually depicted as the “dream arbitrator” at conferences and in publications. In practice, however, the “dream arbitrator” is sometimes met with a degree of scepticism or surprise, at least in some jurisdictions, when she or he seeks to become involved early in the proceedings, to shape the proceedings, point to the factual or legal issues that require more attention, or even suggest ways that the dispute could be settled amicably. Indeed, another fairly common criticism is that of the “dictatorial” or “over-interventionist” arbitrator. So, where do we or should we draw the line? When, why and how should the arbitrators’ initiative be used? This was the topic of the ASA Annual Conference held in Geneva in February 2015 to which a number of leading arbitration practitioners from Switzerland and abroad participated. Their written contributions are contained in this volume of the ASA Special Series. Domitille Baizeau is a Partner in the international arbitration group of LALIVE, based in Geneva. She has been practicing dispute resolution for 20 years, exclusively in international arbitration, commercial and investment, since 2001. She has been involved in over sixty international disputes as counsel or arbitrator, in administered and ad hoc arbitration proceedings, governed by various procedural and substantive laws, both common law and civil law. She focuses on joint venture, share purchase, M&A, sales, privatisation and investment disputes in the energy (oil & gas, solar, mining), telecommunications, construction and commodity trading sectors.  Ms Baizeau has been a member of the Arbitration Court of the Swiss Chambers’ Arbitration Institution since 2010. She is also a member of the Board and the Executive Committee of ASA and an officer of the European Users’ Council of the LCIA. She regularly speaks at conferences and publishes in the field of international arbitration; she was for several years a member of the Editorial Board of the ASA Bulletin. Ms Baizeau initially trained in New Zealand and also holds a French law diploma. She is admitted to practice in both England and in Geneva, Switzerland. Before joining LALIVE in 2004 (becoming Partner of the firm in 2008), she practiced litigation and arbitration in New Zealand and France. Ms Baizeau is a dual New Zealand and French national. Frank Spoorenberg is a Partner with Tavernier Tschanz in Geneva, where he is the Co-head of the arbitration and commercial litigation group.  He acts as counsel before arbitral tribunals and as co-arbitrator, sole arbitrator and chairman.  His cases are related among others to M&A, joint ventures, distribution, agency, service agreements and to international sales.  His industry experience includes telecom-munications, trading, machine industry, construction, oil and gas, pharma, sport industry and real estate.  He has published in the area of contract and arbitration law.  Before focusing on international arbitration and commercial litigation, Mr Spoorenberg developed strong expertise in M&A, financing, general corporate and commercial contracts.  In 1993, he received an LLM Degree from the College of Europe in Bruges (Belgium). He graduated from the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) in 1991.  He is a member of the Board of the Swiss Arbitration Association and Vice-chairperson of the Arbitration Court of the Swiss Chambers’ Arbitration Institution. CONTRIBUTORS Harold Frey is a Partner at Lenz & Staehelin, Zurich, where he leads the litigation and arbitration practice. He has represented clients in numerous ad-hoc arbitrations and before the major arbitral institutions, at multiple seats and governed by a variety of substantive laws. Matters included a wide range of legal issues (such as joint venture, M&A, licensing and general contract law disputes) and industries (such as telecom, pharmaceutical and construction). Mr Frey sits as arbitrator (presiding arbitrator, sole arbitrator and co-arbitrator) and acts as counsel in large and complex litigation proceedings before Swiss courts. He is a lecturer on arbitration at the University of Zurich and author of various publications in the arbitration field. Mr Frey studied law at the University of Zurich (lic. iur.) and New York University School of Law (LL.M.). Paul Friedland is global Head of White & Case’s International Arbitration practice group. He has served as counsel or arbitrator in numerous international arbitrations, both commercial and investor state. Mr Friedland’s leadership positions include: American Arbitration Association (Executive Committee, 2011-14; Chair of Law Committee, 2008-14; Chair of Subcommittee on ICDR Rules revision, 2013-14), International Bar Association (Arbitration Committee Co-chair, 2014-15), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (Court member, since 2013), and LCIA (Court member, 2006-10). Hamid G. Gharavi is co-founding Partner of the Paris-based arbitration firm Derains & Gharavi. A member of the P