Registration opens for the ICC Young Arbitrators Forum conference

In a weekend of informal debates and academic sessions at ICC’s headquarters overlooking the River Seine, participants will learn from renowned arbitrators, members of the ICC International Court of Arbitration Secretariat, and fellow arbitration practitioners. One of the highlights is a masterclass with George Bermann, a prominent scholar in international law.  Simon Greenberg, Chair of ICC YAF and Deputy Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, says the event is a unique opportunity for YAF members and other young professionals to share their views on international arbitration with peers and leading experts from around the world. “This should be the young arbitrator event of the year,” Mr Greenberg said. “For YAF it also marks the hand-over between outgoing and incoming Regional Coordinating Committee Members for all five YAF regional chapters. Participants will benefit from the fact that this year the conference is taking place in Paris, the home of the ICC Court and one of the leading centres for international arbitration.” Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a treasure hunt around Paris to put their teamwork to the test. The aim is to strengthen links within the young arbitration community. With a river cruise, music and dancing, a bike-ride discovery of the capital’s secrets and a behind-the-scenes visit to the Opera Garnier, the YAF weekend in the city of lights is not all hard work. A participant in a previous event said it was “a great event to learn and network while really enjoying both”. “The inaugural ICC YAF conference was an excellent opportunity to meet not only like-minded and similar aged practitioners from around the world, but also to get to know several members of the ICC and to learn more about their institution,” said another participant. YAF global events are held every 18 months. Designed for under 40s, the first was in Barcelona, Spain, in June 2008 and the second in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in December 2009. The organizers say they expect the 3rd ICC YAF Global Conference will be their biggest yet. Already booked up to attend are participants from all five of YAF’s regional chapters: the Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Asia, Europe and Russia, Latin America and North America.