René Smet

René Smet (1911-1998) was a Belgian jurist, professor, and politician. He was a prominent figure in Belgian and international arbitration law.

Smet served as a professor of law at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) for several decades, specializing in contract law, arbitration, and international trade law. He held the chair of Civil Law at KU Leuven. He published extensively on these subjects, contributing significantly to the academic understanding and development of arbitration practice.

Beyond academia, Smet was actively involved in Belgian politics. He served as a member of the Belgian Senate from 1961 to 1974, representing the Christian Social Party (CVP). During his time in the Senate, he focused on issues related to legal reform and economic policy.

Smet was highly regarded for his expertise in arbitration and served as an arbitrator in numerous international commercial disputes. He played a key role in the development of arbitration law in Belgium and was a strong advocate for the use of arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. His work contributed to Belgium becoming a recognized center for international arbitration.