ICC Asia Conference: 3 reasons to reserve your place

With only a week to go until the third annual event, we are highlighting three reasons not to miss this last chance to register.

Rise of arbitration in Asia-Pacific

The ever-growing reputation of the Asia-Pacific region—particularly of Singapore and Hong Kong—as a hub for international dispute resolution continues to hold strong. Last year saw Singapore as the number one seat for ICC Arbitrations in Asia and ranking 7th as the most preferred seat of arbitration in the world. The number of foreign parties choosing Singapore as a seat for arbitration is also on the rise.

In recent years the ICC International Court of Arbitration has made a concerted effort to ramp up its presence in the region. In 2008, a Case Management Office was established in Hong Kong and last year the ICC Court celebrated the inauguration of its Shanghai Representative Office to better assist parties and arbitrators. To better engage with the arbitration community, the region is overseen by two Regional Directors, Abhinav Bhushan, who represents South Asia, and Mingchao Fan, who represents North Asia.

Keep pace with real world issues

With so much happening throughout Asia, the well-established event serves as an excellent opportunity to provide professionals with a timely update. The upcoming conference will feature discussions around four main topics: ICC’s recently introduced expedited Rules, the impact of global developments on investment arbitration; an update on third party funding and an analysis of arbitration law throughout the region. Top-flight speakers from around the world, including Alexander Fessas, the ICC Court’s new Secretary General, Alan Thambiayah, an Arbitrator for The Arbitration Chambers; Lucy Reed, National University of Singapore’s Director of the Centre for International Law; and Nish Shetty, a Partner at Clifford Chance, will provide key industry insights and expert views on each of the panel subjects.

Further still, the event has attracted the attention of Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for the Ministries of Finance and Law Indranee Rajah. Ms Rajah is slated to give the keynote address, officially kicking off the conference.

Quality networking and skills development

The event will naturally serve as a diverse networking platform for those looking to maintain and connect with contacts in the field. Already the conference has keyed up participants from more than 30 countries.

Those looking for professional development opportunities can benefit from the many trainings and events that will be held before and after the much-anticipated ICC Asia Conference. On 27 June, the ICC Institute will hold an advanced-level training on the production of documents. On the same day, young professionals under the age of 40 will gather to develop expertise on how to best engage, prepare and cross-examine expert witnesses at an ICC Young Arbitrators Forum (YAF) event. Following the conference, on 29 June, the ICC Institute will be back again with another training—this time for Tribunal Secretaries. The interactive and highly relevant training will educate participants on the role and tasks of a tribunal secretary, as well as highlight the skills necessary to excel.

For the second consecutive year, the ICC Court will hold a plenary session outside of its home city of Paris. Last year a plenary was held in Hong Kong, the first to take place in Asia. This year it will be held in Singapore as part of the world’s leading arbitral institution’s on-going efforts to expand its geographical presence.

Consult our dedicated event page today for more detailed information and to register for the ICC Asia Conference.