Mediation
ICC Mediation Rules launched at inaugural Hong Kong Mediation Week
In conjunction with the inaugural Hong Kong Mediation Week, the ICC held a launch conference on 25 March to present the new ICC Rules of Mediation in Hong Kong.
A wide spectrum of attendees, including government representatives, mediators, lawyers, academics, in-house counsel and businessmen engaged in a lively discussion with the panelists about the ICC Rules and other developments in international commercial mediation in the region.
The event kicked off with a video message from Mr Rimsky Yuen SC, the Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong SAR, followed by welcome remarks from Mr Simon Lee, who leads the Mediation Team of the Civil Division of the Hong Kong Department of Justice and is a Member of the Working Party on Mediation. Mr Lee described the launch of the ICC Mediation Rules as “a significant development in international mediation” and “another sign of the coming of age of mediation”.
The benefits of mediation and its relevance to business were also discussed by a panel moderated by Mr Cameron Hassall (Partner, Clifford Chance, Hong Kong), who asked the panelists Ms Bapsy Dastur (Region General Counsel and Head of Legal and Compliance, IMA Region, ABB, Dubai), Mr David Parker (Group Executive Director, Chinachem Group, Hong Kong) and Mr Christopher To(Independent Mediator and Arbitrator, and Executive Director, Construction Industry Council, Hong Kong) to share their “war stories” or “peace stories” about mediation. During the session, Mr Parker commented that in his experience companies would typically prefer utilizing mediation prior to commencing any legal proceedings, but highlighted that one should be careful of parties who use the process as a means of delay. Ms Dastur concurred, and also added that “having an independent body like the ICC support the process brings you a long way”.
Today’s launch conference in Hong Kong marks the last of a series of events across Asia in which the new ICC Mediation Rules across Asia. Commencing next week, further events will be held across Australia to launch the new Rules. For more information and details on how to register, please visit the ICC Events & Trainings or contact Ms Siti Rohani at +65 6225 9081 or drs@iccasia.com.sg.
To learn more about ICC Mediation, including the new Mediation Rules, please visit the dedicated web-pages.
