29 August – 31 August 2023The Government and Investor-State Dispute Settlement Capacity-Building Workshops will be fully virtual. Both workshops are closed-door and by invitation only for government officials. Click here for the UNCITRAL Academy 2022 Report, for reference.
Programme
Registration
Conference Opening
Welcome Address
Speaker:
Edwin TONG SC,
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, Singapore
Opening Remarks
Speaker:
Anna JOUBIN-BRET,
Secretary of United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
Panel Discussion: Dispute Resolution in the Digital Economy (DRDE)
The rise of the digital economy is changing the nature and manner of dispute resolution. This panel will explore the use of artificial intelligence and blockchain specifically in such circumstances, and the use of electronic arbitral awards will also be discussed. The panellists are experts in their field and will share their insights on the impact of technology on disputes and how they are resolved.
Join us for this informative and thought-provoking discussion and gain valuable insights into the influence of these technologies and their practical applications in law-making!
Moderator:
Takashi TAKASHIMA,
Legal Officer, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
Speakers:
Tejas KARIA,
Partner and Head – Arbitration, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. India
Professor Pietro ORTOLANI,
Full Professor, Radboud University
Professor Maud PIERS,
Associate Professor, Ghent University; Vice-President, Belgian Centre of Arbitration and Mediation (Cepani)
Fireside Chat: The Future of International Dispute Settlement Involving States
This fireside chat with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Secretary-General Dr Hab Marcin Czepelak, moderated by Deputy Attorney-General Lionel Yee, discusses emerging trends in international dispute settlement involving States, and explores the possibilities and predictions concerning the future of inter-State disputes, as well as investor-State disputes. The session offers the audience the exclusive opportunity to engage with the PCA Secretary-General on his outlook on this topical issue, including his perspectives on the potential of the various dispute settlement methods in achieving the peaceful settlement of international disputes.
Speakers:
Dr Hab Marcin CZEPELAK,
Secretary-General, Permanent Court of Arbitration
Lionel YEE SC,
Deputy Attorney-General, Attorney-General's Chambers
Panel Discussion: Investor-State Mediation
Investor-State mediation is an effective tool in resolving investor-State disputes and it offers many benefits to both the investor and the State. In this panel, leading experts in the field of mediation and investor-State dispute settlement will come together to discuss the latest developments concerning investor-State mediation, including the recently finalised UNCITRAL investment mediation treaty provisions and guidelines, and share their thoughts on what it will take to further promote investor-State mediation as a means to resolving investor-State disputes.
Moderator:
George LIM SC,
Chairman, Singapore International Mediation Centre
Speakers:
Mohamed Shahdy ANWAR,
Managing Partner, S&A Lawyers
Christina HIOUREAS,
Partner and Global Co-Chair, International Litigation and Arbitration Department, Foley Hoag LLP
Dr Judith KNIEPER,
Legal Officer, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
Toby LANDAU KC,
Barrister, Advocate and Arbitrator, Duxton Hill Chambers (Singapore Group Practice)
Frauke NITSCHKE,
Senior Legal Counsel and Team Leader, International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
Panel Discussion: Navigating Inter-Cultural Needs in Mediation and Arbitration
Dispute resolution styles often reflect cultural dimensions, and cultural conflicts can carry over into courtrooms, mediation chambers and interactions between legal professionals and their clients. In some cultures, direct confrontation is normal while in others, shying away from confrontation for peacekeeping and reputation is the premium. In today’s globalised world where businesses operate in multiple jurisdictions, there is a need to acknowledge these differences, and deep-seated biases that all of us may hold, and consider how this may impact our approach to the resolution of disputes. This panel will look at best practices and explore whose responsibility it is to balance different interests.
Moderator:
Professor Nadja ALEXANDER,
Professor of Law and Director, Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy, Singapore Management University
Speakers:
Susie ABDEL-NABI,
Partner and Head, Middle East Dispute Resolution Group, Clyde & Co LLP
John BASSIE JP,
Global President, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; President, The Jamaican Bar Association; Chairman, Dispute Resolution Foundation
Dr Kun FAN,
Associate Professor, University of New South Wales Law and Justice; Visiting Faculty, Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy, Singapore Management University
Justice Mata TUATAGALOA,
Judge, Supreme Court of Samoa
Networking Lunch
UNCITRAL Academy Industry Capacity-Building Workshop - Mediation Advocacy: From Breakdown to Breakthrough
Advocacy skills need not be limited to litigation or arbitration. With case studies and a demonstration, this workshop discusses the emerging field of mediation advocacy.
Participants can expect to hear from our panel on:
- The importance of mediation advocacy for clients, counsel and mediators, and how it can affect the outcome of and experience with a case;
- Harnessing advancements in cross-border mediation, such as the Singapore Convention;
Assessing the suitability of cases for mediation, managing client expectations and preparing for the case; - Identifying the ideal modality (in-person, virtual or hybrid) to maximise benefits; and
- The role of experts.
This workshop is supported by the Singapore International Mediation Centre.
Moderator:
Kevin KIM,
Founding Managing Partner, Peter & Kim
Speakers:
Shanti ABRAHAM,
International Mediator and Arbitrator, Shanti Abraham & Associates
Brian CHI,
General Counsel, Kyndryl Japan
Francis GOH,
Partner, Harry Elias Partnership LLP; Head, International Arbitration and Mediation; SIMI and IMI Certified Mediator; IMI Certified Mediation Advocate
Panel Discussion: Dispute Resolution for Carbon Markets
As the drive to combat global warming gathers pace, carbon markets play an increasingly key role in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective manner. This panel explores the dynamic landscape of carbon markets and initiatives implemented across various geographies to achieve emissions reduction targets. Panellists will provide insights on navigating carbon market disputes that may arise from growing environmental challenges, as well as best practices in using arbitration and mediation to drive sustainable outcomes.
Moderator:
Annette MAGNUSSON,
Co-Founder, Climate Change Counsel
Speakers:
Rajat JARIWAL,
Partner, Trilegal
Jinhee KIM,
Head, Global Dispute Resolution Practice, Jipyong LLC
Mikkel LARSEN,
Chief Executive Officer, Climate Impact X
Debate: Robots are Better Arbitrators and Mediators than Humans
The recent rise in popularity of ChatGPT, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot has reignited discussions on the role and scope of AI in our daily work. Two teams of debaters will consider the intriguing question of whether robots do better than humans in resolving disputes. At the end of the debate, conference attendees will get to cast their vote to decide the winning team.
Moderator:
Jelita PANDJAITAN,
Partner, Linklaters LLP
Speakers:
Sheila AHUJA,
Partner, Allen & Overy LLP
Chiann BAO,
Arbitrator, Arbitration Chambers
NG Jern-Fei KC,
King’s Counsel Advocate, Duxton Hill Chambers (Singapore Group Practice); Arbitrator, Temple Chambers (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)
Samantha J. ROWE,
Partner, International Dispute Resolution Group, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Jaikanth SHANKAR,
Chief Executive Officer, Davinder Singh Chambers LLC
THIO Shen Yi SC,
Joint Managing Partner, TSMP Law Corporation
End of Conference
UNCITRAL Academy Industry Capacity-Building Workshop - Mediation Advocacy: From Breakdown to Breakthrough
Advocacy skills need not be limited to litigation or arbitration. With case studies and a demonstration, this workshop discusses the emerging field of mediation advocacy.
Participants can expect to hear from our panel on:
- The importance of mediation advocacy for clients, counsel and mediators, and how it can affect the outcome of and experience with a case;
- Harnessing advancements in cross-border mediation, such as the Singapore Convention;
Assessing the suitability of cases for mediation, managing client expectations and preparing for the case; - Identifying the ideal modality (in-person, virtual or hybrid) to maximise benefits; and
- The role of experts.
This workshop is supported by the Singapore International Mediation Centre.
Moderator:
Kevin KIM,
Founding Managing Partner, Peter & Kim
Speakers:
Shanti ABRAHAM,
International Mediator and Arbitrator, Shanti Abraham & Associates
Brian CHI,
General Counsel, Kyndryl Japan
Francis GOH,
Partner, Harry Elias Partnership LLP; Head, International Arbitration and Mediation; SIMI and IMI Certified Mediator; IMI Certified Mediation Advocate
UNCITRAL Academy Government Capacity-Building Workshop
This is a closed-door, by-invitation-only workshop for government officials. The workshop is supported by the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy.
UNCITRAL Academy Investor-State Dispute Settlement Capacity-Building Workshop
This is a closed-door, by-invitation-only workshop for government officials. The workshop is supported by the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
*Programme is subject to change. Please visit this page for updates.
Morning session: 3 Public CPD points
Afternoon session: 3 Public CPD points
Practice Area: Alternative Dispute Resolution
Training Level: General
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 entire 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 entire activity for more than 15 minutes. Participants may obtain 3 Public CPD Points for each morning and afternoon session of the event on which they comply strictly with the Attendance Policy. Participants who do not comply with the Attendance Policy will not be able to obtain CPD Points for attending the activity. Please refer to www.sileCPDcentre.sg for more information.