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SINGAPORE CONVENTION WEEK EVENTS

SINGAPORE CONVENTION WEEK EVENTS

Can Arbitrators Stay Online and Stay Neutral?


by Russian Women in Arbitration

28 August, Friday

14:00 - 16:00

WongPartnership LLP

Is deleting socials the way to go now for arbitrators? Recent case law suggests that digital footprints have now become relevant to assessing impartiality, just as likes and reposts have started to form the basis for allegations of apparent bias, especially in Russia-related disputes.

This development cannot but prompt hot-button questions: Do parties and appointing authorities have a duty to investigate an arbitrator’s digital presence? If yes, are there limits as to the depth and scope of such investigation? Do the IBA Guidelines adequately address these modern realities?

Building on these questions, the panel will explore the fine line between personal expression and a disclosure warranting conduct, as well as discuss recent challenges including those triggered by public statements on geopolitical conflicts. It will also consider whether there are lessons to be learnt and whether digital detox is becoming a professional necessity.

Moderator

Diana ARAMIAN

Associate, Dyakin, Gortsunyan and Partners


Diana Aramian is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution practice at Dyakin, Gortsunyan and Partners, specialising in international commercial arbitration, investment arbitration, and cross-border litigation. She has represented clients in proceedings administered under the ICC, SIAC, and LMAA Rules, with particular experience in energy and natural resources, construction, and shipbuilding sectors.

Prior to joining the firm, Diana served as Case Counsel at the Russian Arbitration Center (RAC), and completed a legal internship at HKIAC.

She is active in the international arbitration community, currently serving on the Steering Committees of Russian Women in Arbitration (RWA) and Young AMCA.

Speakers

Delphine HO

Independent Arbitrator, The Arbitration Chambers


Delphine Ho is a full-time independent arbitrator and mediator, with 20 years of experience as counsel, in the Singapore courts and in an arbitral institution. She has been appointed in arbitrations as president, co-arbitrator and sole arbitrator under various arbitral rules, including the rules of SIAC, ICC and UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules.

Prior to joining The Arbitration Chambers, Delphine was the Registrar of SIAC from 2016 to 2021. As Registrar, she oversaw the administration of thousands of arbitration cases conducted under the SIAC Arbitration Rules, the UNCITRAL Rules and other institutional rules.

Delphine is also a member of SIArb’s faculty.

Elena BUROVA

Counsel, Lansky, Ganzger, Goeth and Partners


Elena Burova's practise focuses on investment and commercial arbitrations, cross-border litigations, inter-State proceedings, public international law. She has experience of investment arbitrations under the rules of UNCITRAL, SCC, ICSID, commercial arbitrations under the rules of LCIA, ICC, SCC, VIAC, DIAC, LMAA, RAC. She has a full right of audience in the DIFC Courts. She has been ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers.

Elena's profile as an arbitrator includes appointments from DIAC and RAC. She is listed with DIAC, Arbitrate AD, VIAC and institutions across MENA.

Elena is a co-founder and a part of the Steering Committee of RWA.

Lesley TAN

Partner, WongPartnership LLP


Lesley Tan is a Partner in the Energy, Projects & Construction Practice. Her main areas of practice encompass both front-end project advisory work and acting in contentious disputes. Lesley has advised statutory boards and acted for developers, consultants and contractors at various stages of litigation, arbitration and adjudication proceedings.

She also sits as an arbitrator and is a council member of The Society of Construction Law (Singapore).

Lesley is recognised as Next Generation Partner for Projects & Energy in The Legal 500: Asia. Her expertise has also been recognised by IFLR1000: Financial & Corporate and Chambers Asia-Pacific.

Margarita DROBYSHEVSKAIA

Deputy Counsel, Singapore International Arbitration Centre


Margarita Drobyshevskaia is a Deputy Counsel at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), where she contributes to the management of arbitration cases across diverse jurisdictions and supports tribunals and parties at every stage of the proceedings. She is also involved in SIAC’s international outreach.

Before joining SIAC, Margarita worked at an arbitral institution in Russia, managing domestic and international arbitration cases and engaging with various stakeholders.

She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Contract Law at Lomonosov Moscow State University and serves as a member of the Steering Committee of Russian Women in Arbitration (RWA).

Margarita is qualified in Russia.

Sapna JHANGIANI KC

Barrister, Blackstone Chambers


Sapna Jhangiani KC is a leading advocate based in Asia, specialising in commercial and international disputes.

In 2024, Sapna was appointed to the Panel of Advisors to the Attorney-General of Singapore, as well as a (part-time) Judge of the Court of Appeal of the DIFC Courts by the Ruler of Dubai.

Sapna’s expertise has been recognised by key legal directories, including Who’s Who Legal, Legal 500, and Chambers & Partners.

Sapna was the first female lawyer in Singapore to be awarded Silk in the UK. She has been identified as one of the top female lawyers by Asian Legal Business.

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