Arbitration
ICC zeros in on Asia and technology with new Dispute Resolution Governing Body additions
ICC has announced new additions to its Governing Body for Dispute Resolution Services.
New members to the Executive Board subcommittee responsible for ICC Arbitration and ADR will bolster ICC’s commitment to making its leading dispute resolution services more accessible to users in Asia while supporting objectives to digitise services in line with user needs and COVID-19 safety protocols. The new line up also aims to amplify the voice of in-house counsel.
Appointed by the ICC Executive Board for a term of two years the three new members of the ICC Governing Body for Dispute Resolution Services, are eminent figures in the dispute resolution field and respective regions. Their experience and leadership will spur the strategic direction of ICC’s Arbitration and ADR services as the global institution continues to shape the future of dispute resolution for a more resilient, equitable and sustainable world post-COVID.
The new members are:
- Sundaresh Menon, Chief Justice of Singapore
- Liz (Kyo-Hwa) Chung, formerly Head of Corporate, External and Legal Affairs at Microsoft Korea and joining Netflix Korea as of April 2021 as Legal Director
- Richard Susskind OBE, Technology Adviser to the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales
Justin D’Agostino, CEO and partner, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hong Kong and Maria Varsellona, General Counsel, ABB, Switzerland also joined the governing body at the end of 2020.
Michael McIlwrath, Chair of the ICC Dispute Resolution Governing Body who spent 22 years as in-house litigation counsel at General Electric and, most recently, as Vice-President of Litigation at former GE subsidiary Baker Hughes said: “In a world changing so rapidly, these new members will help the Governing Body fulfil its mandate of preserving ICC’s reputation as the pre-eminent global institution for the resolution of disputes.”
The governing body is a formal committee of the ICC Executive Board and the driving force ensuring ICC dispute resolution services contribute to the achievement of principal business and organisational objectives. These include safeguarding the standing of the International Court of Arbitration as the world’s preferred arbitral institute, ensuring ICC’s trusted dispute resolution services remain regionally relevant and leading the digital transformation of dispute resolution case management and hearings to a global standard.
John W.H. Denton AO, ICC Secretary General said: “We are honoured to welcome the new members of the governing body. Such high-calibre leadership not only reflects the quality and global reputation of our services but is a welcome addition to as we continue to innovate and invest in our world-leading arbitral process to meet the needs of commercial parties everywhere, every day, in support of global commerce and a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for all.”
In January, ICC announced record requests in 2020 for its arbitration and ADR services, reflecting the continuing appeal of ICC dispute resolution offerings, particularly for large, complex, multi-party and multi-contracts cases. Pending approval from the ICC World Council in June this year, Claudia T. Salomon will become the first woman President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration in its almost 100-year history, when current President Alexis Mourre, steps down from the role. Ms Salomon will lead continuing transformative activities to ensure an auspicious future for the ICC Court on the road to its Centenary year in 2023 and beyond.
Mr Mourre said: “It is a privilege for the Court to welcome in the Governing Body for DRS some of the most prominent figures in the field of dispute resolution services. Their expertise will be of tremendous assistance to ICC in developing its strategic plans for the years to come.”
See also: ICC confirms diverse Centre for ADR Standing Committee to bolster expertise and dispute boards
