S.L.: I remember another arbitrator with whom we had arbitration for, I believe, 3 days. He came to our place of arbitration, said “Hello, hello, good morning, good morning,” and closed his eyes. And during the lunch time, he opened his eyes and we had lunch together. Then we resumed arbitration, he closed his eyes till the evening. And in the evening, he said “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” I cannot immediately recall his name. It was long ago. <…>

M.B.: We were talking about Gunnar Lagergren, Mr. Gunnar Lagergren. Can you recall any memories of him? Would you be willing to share them with us?

S.L.: Well, it was long ago that we had arbitration with him, but he was the presiding arbitrator. He was very, very quiet and we had some discussion, me and American co-arbitrator, and he was listening, listening, listening to us, and it was actually the arbitration according to the optional clause. American arbitrator, me, and he as presiding arbitrator in Stockholm, in his office. I remember his office. And he was hearing us, he was hearing us, and finally he did not propose any award when we finished the proceedings. And he said “I’ll send you my proposals how this dispute should be resolved.” Of course, we were not particularly satisfied, because I wanted to come to Moscow, and to say: “We have won the case.” And I believe the same situation was with my American co-partner in that case, but we accepted that. And then he sent his proposal, his draft award, a very brief how it should be resolved. And he said there, how he would motivate all the propositions and so on and so forth. And for me, that award was satisfactory. I was not sure about my American co-arbitrator partner in that case, but I wrote that I accepted. So, I believe that American arbitrator decided to agree, subject of certain exceptions. But finally, it was a very good award. As I can recall so many years later. But sometimes it happens, that of course Russian regulations sometimes are very strong, and to disregard them would not be an appropriate approach, and if they are disregarded, then it creates certain difficulties.

M.B.: What was Mr. Lagergren’s style as an arbitrator?

S.L.: His style, I believe it was traditional style, it was a possibility to give opportunity to each party to speak as long as they want. Not to interrupt, not to say “Oh, let us stop, you have talked about that.” No. “Okay, let them go, let them go, let them go, let them go.” So it was just a very liberal approach. But I believe that is the situation with all Swedish chairmen, presiding arbitrators whom I’ve met, that it’s just very liberal approach. Each party is given opportunity to speak as long as they wish.

M.B.: Do you have any other memories to share with us about Mr. Lagergren? An episode you recall? With your cooperation with Gunnar.

S.L.: Well, you asked me to recall that? I hope my recollection is correct. We had a meeting with American colleagues in New York. I believe that is correct. There are so many conferences, meetings and so on in various parts of the world, sometimes there is a mixture, but I believe that is correct. We had a meeting in New York. And it was till late evening we finished. And he said “Let us go to my ship, which is in New York port.” His own ship? And we went there. There were 3 Soviet participants of that conference, and from Sweden there were also 3, and 2 Americans, who decided to accompany us to that visit. And we came to the ship. The ship arrived to New York, and it was discharged already. And there was only the master of the ship who met us in the ship. Said, “Hello, hello, hello, hello.” And the ship was empty. And he showed us, I don’t know why it was so, he wanted us to show that ship, I don’t know what was actually the reason. And then it was not the end. And after that, he said “Let us go to my law firm. Not my, but with which I cooperate here in New York.” We went there. It was late evening. Maybe ten hours. And we came to that building. I cannot remember what was the name of that company which had that building. And there were many people moving there, in this law firm. And I asked him: “They are working so late? They are not slaves here, no?” He said: “No, they are working. You believe that it is a Russian village in the Russian sense? That I have arranged for them to work so long? No, they are working because they had to work.” “Okay.” That was an episode. I believe I’m right recalling these episodes. But it was so long ago. And then, sometimes later, we had an arbitration meeting with him. And he had an assistant, a young man, whom I met later.