The London office of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP welcomed guests to two international arbitration seminars last week. On June 11, a distinguished panel discussed “Arbitral Institutions' Role and Responsibility” in front of a packed audience, while June 12 saw an equally lively and well-attended debate on the future of dispute resolution in Asia.

The first event gave senior figures from various arbitral institutions the opportunity to consider and compare different approaches to their respective institutions’ key functions and expanding roles, as well as future challenges and opportunities. The panel included Secretary General of the International Court of Arbitration at the ICC Andrea Carlevaris, Secretary General of the Jerusalem Arbitration Centre Nadia Darwazeh, Director General of the London Court of International Arbitration Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof, CEO of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre Lim Seok Hui and Secretary General of the German Institution of Arbitration Francesca Mazza.

 
From left: Francesca Mazza, Lim Seok Hui, Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof,
Andrea Carlevaris, Nadia Darwazeh, Patricia Shaughnessy.

Patricia Shaughnessy of Stockholm University moderated the discussion, and Special Counsel Maxi Scherer introduced the debate. Gary Born, chair of the International Arbitration Practice, provided closing remarks. The event formed part of the practice’s Scholar-in-Residence program, which brings talented academics from all jurisdictions to work with its international arbitration team on both professional matters and academic projects.

The following day brought together young arbitration practitioners with strong interests in Asia to discuss recent developments in the Asian market. Among other things, the discussion focused on how the development of new institutions in Singapore, such as the Singapore International Commercial Court and the Singapore International Mediation Centre, could shape the dispute resolution landscape in the region. Opening and closing remarks were provided by Edwin Glasgow CBE QC and Toby Landau QC, while Gary Born commented. The event was organized by Associate Jonathan Lim in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific Forum of International Arbitration, the Singapore Academy of Law, the Singapore International Mediation Centre and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre Young SIAC Group.

The week was rounded off by a champagne reception to mark the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, hosted by the American Society of International Law and sponsored by the firm. Leading names from the international law community on both sides of the Atlantic enjoyed drinks, food and conversation.

 
Left: Gary Born welcomes guests to the reception; Right: Born mingles with guests.