27 August – 28 August 2024
This year, the UNCITRAL Academy comprises a Conference on 27 August 2024, and two Capacity-Building Workshops on 27-28 August 2024.

The 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
27 August 2024, Tuesday
All hours are shown in GMT+8
08:30 - 09:15
Registration
09:15 - 09:30
Conference Opening
09:30 - 09:40
Welcome Address

Speaker:

K SHANMUGAM SC,

Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, Singapore

09:40 - 09:50
Opening Remarks

Speaker:

Anna JOUBIN-BRET,

Secretary of United Nations Commission on International Trade Law

09:50 - 10:50
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

10:50 - 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 - 12:00
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

12:00 - 13:00
Networking Lunch
13:00 - 14:20
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

14:20 - 14:30
Coffee Break
14:30 - 15:20
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

15:20 - 16:10
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

16:10 - 17:30
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

17:30
End of Conference
27 August 2024, Tuesday
All hours are shown in GMT+8
13:00 - 14:20
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

28 August 2024, Wednesday
All hours are shown in GMT+8
18:30 - 20:00
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.

18:30 - 18:35
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

18:35 - 19:35
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

 

19:35 - 20:00
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

20:10 - 22:15
UNCITRAL Academy Government Capacity-Building Workshop (Session 2)

*This is a by-invitation-only virtual event for government officials.

20:10 - 21:10
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

21:10 - 22:15
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)