May 15, 2024 RAALC: Through the looking glass: ICCA 2024 Hong Kong – Innovation in International Arbitration Share Our incredible team had the opportunity to attend the prestigious convention organised by ICCA – International Council for Commercial Arbitration 2024 in Hong Kong from 5 to 8 May 2024. The theme of the convention focused on International Arbitration as a Human Endeavour; the platform delved into the current state of international arbitration, focusing on the diverse individuals and stakeholders shaping its evolution. Hong Kong, renowned as a pivotal financial hub and a prominent center for international arbitration, stood as the ideal host for this significant gathering, highlighting its continued relevance in global trade and commerce. Insights The 2024 Congress theme ‘International Arbitration: A Human Endeavour’ was designed to inspire debate on the impact of human nature and behaviour on international arbitration and, conversely, arbitration’s impact on people. The panel discussions explored how participants’ professional and personal backgrounds impact procedures, advocacy strategies, attitudes toward foreign law, and fact-finding processes within the arbitration system. Learned legal professionals from all over the world participated in panel discussions pertinent to topics poignant in the arbitration realm. We even had the opportunity to share insights and diverse perspectives with professionals from across the globe and prevalent practices in arbitration in their jurisdiction. Our Network We were represented by our Head of Litigation and Founder, Mr. Ehab Mohammed, Ms. Lina Khudairi, Head of the Corporate Department, and Ms. Kate Yang Chen, Corporate Consultant and had the privilege of meeting with the founder and CEO of Jus Mundi, Mr. Jean-Rémi De Maistre. Intervention and support of AI in the legal system have been a notable innovation, the introduction of Jus Mundi, an AI-Powered Global Arbitration Intelligence platform, provides comprehensive data and insights essential for navigating the international arbitration arena. The vast network of clients and partners ranging right from MOFA Japan, Saudi Arabia Ministry of Energy to the American Arbitration Center, are just a few significant names attending the convention. After an intellectual day of discussions and debates, Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) in collaboration with Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group (HKMAG) organized a laid-back cocktail evening to end the day. We shared a few words with Ms. Jehad Kazim, the Executive Director of DIAC, and Mr. Robert Stephen, the Registrar of DIAC commending the success of DIAC as the region’s largest alternative dispute resolution centre, successfully managing nearly 5,000 cases, including complex and high-claim disputes, with an average yearly amount in disputes exceeding AED 5.5 billion. Having the opportunity to connect with such great minds was exceptional on its own. In our continued efforts to expand our professional horizon, we fostered great conversation and potential future collaboration with Mr. Wei Lin, Managing Partner at P.C Woo & Zhonglun WD LLP, and also had the opportunity to engage with Mr. Jefferson Zhao, Senior Partner at Shanghai Joint-Win Law Firm. Key Takeaway The ICCA 2024 Hong Kong, created a sense of community between legal professionals across nations, highlighting the power of diversity, language and culture in determining effective outcomes. It demonstrated how behavior and conduct impact results and stressed the importance of fairness and efficiency in dispute resolution. Exploring cultural influences on advocacy and attitudes toward foreign law emphasised the necessity of cultural sensitivity in arbitration processes. Lastly, the focus on interpersonal conduct and ethics reinforced the significance of professionalism and ethical standards in enhancing the perception and effectiveness of international arbitration. Reflecting upon RAALC’s experience The ICCA 2024, Hong Kong proved to be a profoundly enriching experience. Engaging with industry experts and participating in insightful panels that enhanced our understanding of arbitration dynamics, emphasizing effective communication and procedural fairness. Our interactions with professionals like Mr. Wei Lin and Mr. Jefferson Zhao also sparked a potential future collaboration, highlighting the event’s networking opportunities and reinforcing our commitment to excellence in international arbitration.
