27 August – 28 August 2024The Conference and Industry Capacity-Building Workshop will be held in a hybrid format, with in-person attendance at the Shangri-La Singapore. Registration is free.
The Government Capacity-Building Workshop will consist of two sessions and be fully virtual. The second session is only for invited government officials. Registration is free.
Click here for the UNCITRAL Academy 2023 Report, for reference.
Programme
Registration
Conference Opening
Welcome Address
Speaker:
K SHANMUGAM SC,
Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, Singapore
Opening Remarks
Speaker:
Anna JOUBIN-BRET,
Secretary of United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
Panel Discussion: Forging Ahead in the Digital Economy – Generative AI in Dispute Resolution
From passing law school examinations (albeit with not-so-stellar grades) to summarising court judgments, Generative AI (GenAI) has demonstrated its potential to transform the way that legal service is delivered. This panel will delve into the current AI landscape, how AI tools are used and can be used to assist in dispute resolution, the practical challenges that GenAI presents (including concerns over hallucinations and confidentiality), and what practitioners should be mindful of while harnessing this technology. The panellists will also share their views on organisational change management – what the rise of AI may mean for stakeholders in the legal industry.
Moderator:
Christopher Gregory LEWIN,
AI Asia Pacific Lead, Deloitte
Speakers:
Eliza JIANG,
CEO & Founder, Lawdify; Dispute Resolution Specialist, Attorney-at-Law, New York, Ontario
Professor Daniel Martin KATZ,
Professor of Law, Illinois Tech - Chicago Kent College of Law
Jeth LEE,
Chief Legal Officer, Microsoft Singapore
Coffee Break
Panel Discussion: Net Zero Disputes – Aspiration or Inspiration?
As corporations strive to work towards net-zero commitments, legal challenges surrounding their implementation have become more complex. This panel explores the emerging landscape of net-zero disputes, examining the legal intricacies and challenges faced across jurisdictions. From assessing the efficacy of net-zero pledges, to navigating disputes over accountability and emissions targets, panellists will examine the role of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in resolving these challenges, and discuss collaboration strategies and best practices, to drive sustainable outcomes.
Moderator:
Dr Georgina TSAGAS,
Associate Mediator, Civil Mediation Council, The Barrister Group; Solicitor, Eng & Wls
Speakers:
Belinda ELLINGTON,
Consultant Solicitor; Senior Advisor, International Emissions Trading Association; Mediator, Mediation 1st
Amanda LEES,
Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Khushboo SHAHDADPURI,
Senior Counsel, Al Tamimi & Company
Networking Lunch
UNCITRAL Academy Industry Capacity-Building Workshop
The Best of Both Worlds: Mediation in Arbitration
While arbitration has long been a popular mode of dispute resolution in cross-border commercial cases, mediation is increasingly recognised as an important component in today’s multi-model dispute resolution frameworks. The panel will explore this, as well as how mediation utilised alongside other forms of appropriate dispute resolution expands opportunities and solutions.
*This workshop will be held as part of the UNCITRAL Academy Conference. It is a hybrid event with in-person attendance at Shangri-La Singapore.
Moderator:
Justice Lavu Nageswara RAO,
Arbitrator & Mediator, 39 Essex Chambers
Speakers:
Edwin GLASGOW CBE KC,
Arbitrator & Mediator, 39 Essex Chambers
Professor Andrea HULBERT,
International Arbitrator, Mediator & Adjudicator; Founding Partner, Hulbert Volio Abogados
KOH Swee Yen SC,
Senior Counsel; Partner, WongPartnership LLP
Wei SUN,
Managing Partner, Zhong Lun Law Firm
Coffee Break
Panel Discussion: Nurturing The Next Generation – From Mentorship to Stewardship
Gone are the days where mentorship is an afterthought. Mentorship has taken centre stage and comes in many forms, from helping aspirants open doors of opportunities to connecting fledgling practitioners with a consistent source of guidance, support, and encouragement within the legal community. This fosters a conducive environment for growth and development by making a career in the legal industry more accessible and sustainable. Join us as our esteemed panellists explore a range of mentorship models, scenarios, and best practices from their experiences as former mentees, and now as mentors themselves, in mentoring and being mentored.
Moderator:
Dr Michael HWANG SC,
Sole Director, Michael Hwang Chambers LLC
Speakers:
Setyawati FITRIANGGRAENI,
Managing Partner, Anggraeni and Partners, Indonesia; PhD Candidate, FCIArb, FAIADR
Yoshimi OHARA,
Partner, Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Brian H. POTTS,
Partner, Husch Blackwell; Founder, The Legal Mentor Network
Bridget Anne TATHAM,
Partner, Browne Jacobson LLP
Fireside Chat
The Fireside Chat will touch on the various panel topics and draw on this year’s theme of “Separating Disruptions from Distractions in an Evolving World”. Join us for a conversation with our esteemed speaker Professor David Wilkins and moderator Ms Sharon Ong as they delve into the key challenges and trends in the legal industry. The discussion will explore how leaders and practitioners are addressing critical issues in a world characterised by increasing volatility, uncertainty, and complexity. The chat will also highlight key issues lawyers can keep in mind when addressing these challenges.
Moderator:
Sharon S M ONG,
Director-General, Ministry of Law, Singapore
Speaker:
Professor David B. WILKINS,
Lester Kissel Professor of Law and Faculty Director, Center on the Legal Profession, Harvard Law School
Debate: Women are Better Mediators, but Men are Better Arbitrators
Embark on an exhilarating journey of guts and wit as two teams of debaters confront the elephant in the room to explore gender dynamics in dispute resolution, where fiery arguments and insightful discourse will challenge your perceptions and broaden your understanding of this provocative motion. At the end of the debate, conference attendees will get to cast their vote to decide the winning team.
Moderator:
NG Jern-Fei KC,
King’s Counsel; Advocate, Duxton Hill Chambers, Singapore Group Practice; Arbitrator, Temple Chambers, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Registered Foreign Lawyer, Malaysia
Speakers:
Daryl CHEW,
Partner, Three Crowns LLP
Madhukeshwar DESAI,
Founder & CEO, Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration
LEE Seung Min,
Partner, Peter & Kim, Singapore
Siraj OMAR SC,
Managing Director, Dispute Resolution, Drew & Napier LLC
Lara QUIE,
Senior Director, Forensic & Litigation Consulting EMEA, FTI Consulting
Mariana ZHONG,
Partner, Hui Zhong Law Firm
End of Conference
UNCITRAL Academy Industry Capacity-Building Workshop
The Best of Both Worlds: Mediation in Arbitration
While arbitration has long been a popular mode of dispute resolution in cross-border commercial cases, mediation is increasingly recognised as an important component in today’s multi-model dispute resolution frameworks. The panel will explore this, as well as how mediation utilised alongside other forms of appropriate dispute resolution expands opportunities and solutions.
*This workshop will be held as part of the UNCITRAL Academy Conference. It is a hybrid event with in-person attendance at Shangri-La Singapore.
Moderator:
Justice Lavu Nageswara RAO,
Arbitrator & Mediator, 39 Essex Chambers
Speakers:
Edwin GLASGOW CBE KC,
Arbitrator & Mediator, 39 Essex Chambers
Professor Andrea HULBERT,
International Arbitrator, Mediator & Adjudicator; Founding Partner, Hulbert Volio Abogados
KOH Swee Yen SC,
Senior Counsel; Partner, WongPartnership LLP
Wei SUN,
Managing Partner, Zhong Lun Law Firm
UNCITRAL Academy Government Capacity-Building Workshop (Session 1)
The Government Capacity-Building Workshop is supported by the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy (SIDRA) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and organised against the backdrop of the gaining traction of the Singapore Convention on Mediation. Session 1 of the Workshop will cover issues relating to the use of mediation to resolve disputes involving States and the enforcement of mediated settlement agreements.
*This event is a virtual event.
Welcome Remarks by UNCITRAL, MinLaw, SIDRA & ICSID
Speakers:
Dr Judith KNIEPER,
Legal Officer, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
Jasmine CHIN-SABADO,
Director, Policy Advisory Division, Ministry of Law, Singapore
Professor Nadja ALEXANDER,
Professor of Law and Director, Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy, Singapore Management University
Frauke NITSCHKE,
Senior Counsel and Team Leader, International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
Live Panel Discussion: The Use of Mediation to Resolve Disputes Involving States
This panel will discuss trends surrounding the use of mediation in resolving disputes involving States, including in the context of investor-State disputes. Themes that will be explored include: What is the role of mediation in preventing and mitigating disputes? What disputes are suitable for mediation? What are the roles and duties of the mediating parties and the mediator? What are some differences, if any, between mediation in general and investor-State mediation?
Moderator:
Mariam GOTSIRIDZE,
Principal Research Fellow, Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy, Singapore Management University
Speakers:
Professor Shahla ALI,
Professor and Associate Dean (International); Director, LLM in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong
Dr Judith KNIEPER,
Legal Officer, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
George LIM SC,
Chairman, Singapore International Mediation Centre
Dr Lars MARKERT,
Partner, International Dispute Resolution, Nishimura & Asahi (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo)
Frauke NITSCHKE,
Senior Counsel and Team Leader, International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
Blanca SALAS-FERRER,
Legal Officer, Directorate-General for Trade, European Commission
Presentation: Compliance With and Enforcing Mediated Settlement Agreements
This session will feature a primer on the Singapore Convention on Mediation, and explore how the efficacy of mediated outcomes is strengthened through the Singapore Convention on Mediation.
Speaker:
Professor Nadja ALEXANDER,
Professor of Law and Director, Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy, Singapore Management University
UNCITRAL Academy Government Capacity-Building Workshop (Session 2)
*This is a by-invitation-only virtual event for government officials.
Live Panel Discussion: Countries’ Updates on the Singapore Convention on Mediation
Panellists will discuss developments concerning the Singapore Convention on Mediation in their respective jurisdictions.
Moderator:
Professor Nadja ALEXANDER,
Professor of Law and Director, Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy, Singapore Management University
Speakers:
HE Ayaz BAETOV,
Minister of Justice, Kyrgyz Republic
Amaka Gold ELOM,
Deputy Director, International and Comparative Law Department; Team Lead, Migration & Trade, Federal Ministry of Justice, Nigeria
Tim SCHNABEL,
Executive Director, Uniform Law Commission; Former United States State Department Attorney and Lead Negotiator for Singapore Convention
Muhammad Shahzar ILAHI,
Program Delivery Specialist, Legal Aid Society; Co-Founder and Associate Director, Musaliha International Center for Arbitration & Dispute Resolution
Mock Case Scenario: Navigating Investor-State Mediation – The Mediating State
Through the medium of a mock case scenario, this session will introduce potential strategies for States to engage in investor-State mediation with foreign investors. Key issues that will be explored include: the role of mediation in early-stage relationship management with investors; stakeholder engagement; institutional readiness; and authorising negotiators and approving settlements.
Moderators:
Dr Mark MCLAUGHLIN,
Visiting Assistant Professor, Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy, Singapore Management University
Frauke NITSCHKE,
Senior Counsel and Team Leader, International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
Speakers:
Professor Lawrence BOO,
Head of Chambers, The Arbitration Chambers
Amal BOUCHENAKI,
Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills New York
Fahira BRODLIJA,
Rule of Law Advisor for Investor-State Dispute Settlement Reform, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
Bill MARSH,
International Mediator and ICSID Conciliator (Chairman’s Panel)
*Programme is subject to change. Please visit this page for updates.*
Number of Public CPD Points: 7
Practice Area: Alternative Dispute Resolution
Training Level: General
SILE Attendance Policy
Participants who wish to obtain CPD Points are reminded that they must comply strictly with the Attendance Policy set out in the CPD Guidelines. For participants attending the face-to-face activity, this includes signing in on arrival and signing out at the conclusion of the activity in the manner required by the organiser, and not being absent from the activity for more than 15 minutes. For those participating via the webinar, this includes logging in at the start of the webinar and logging out at the conclusion of the webinar in the manner required by the organiser, and not being away from the activity for more than 15 minutes. Participants who do not comply with the Attendance Policy will not be able to obtain CPD Points for attending the activity. Please refer to https://www.silecpdcentre.sg for more information.
UNCITRAL Academy Government Capacity-Building Workshop (Session 1)
Number of Public CPD Points: 1.5
Practice Area: Alternative Dispute Resolution
Training Level: General
SILE Attendance Policy
Participants who wish to obtain CPD Points are reminded that they must comply strictly with the Attendance Policy set out in the CPD Guidelines. For this activity, this includes logging in at the start of the webinar and logging out at the conclusion of the webinar in the manner required by the organiser, and not being away from the entire activity for more than 15 minutes. Participants who do not comply with the Attendance Policy will not be able to obtain CPD Points for attending the activity. Please refer to http://www.sileCPDcentre.sg for more information.