Sponsored briefing: The Singapore Convention – The mediator’s perspective

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Sponsored briefing: The Singapore Convention – The mediator’s perspective

Michel Kallipetis QC was the International Academy of Mediators (IAM) representative at the drafting of the Singapore Convention. He provides a brief overview of the Convention and some analysis from a mediator’s perspective

The Grand Ballroom of the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore was the proud setting for the momentous occasion on 7 August 2019 when the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (Singapore Convention) was signed by no less than 46 states. It was a spectacular conclusion to three years’ work and consultation by UNCITRAL’ s Working Group II. Since then six other states have also signed. Notable signatories are the US, China, Russia and India; notable absentees at the moment are the UK, Canada, Australia and the EU. The Convention will come into force six months after three states have ratified the Convention. At the time of writing, two states have ratified the Convention: Singapore and Fiji. The Singapore Convention responds to the demand from a growing body of mediation users for an enforcement mechanism applicable to mediated settlement agreements in cross-border disputes. It is to be hoped that the UK, once untrammelled by the provisions of the European Union Treaty signed in Maastricht, will feel able to join the major economic trading nations and sign the Convention. Continue reading “Sponsored briefing: The Singapore Convention – The mediator’s perspective”

Sponsored firm profile: Gall

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Sponsored firm profile: Gall

Gall is a leading independent Hong Kong law firm focusing primarily on dispute resolution. We specialise in handling highly complex disputes, many of which involve multi-jurisdictional litigation.

Our partners all come from international firms and have practised in Hong Kong or overseas for many years. They have a wealth of experience in a wide variety of litigation, mediation and arbitration. We use a partner-led, team-based approach to complex litigation, drawing upon the legal and linguistic skills of solicitors with different areas of expertise. We ensure that we maintain an ‘around the clock’ service to our clients. Continue reading “Sponsored firm profile: Gall”

Sponsored briefing: Arbitration in the Czech Republic in 2020 – 25 years of the Arbitration Act and counting

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Sponsored briefing: Arbitration in the Czech Republic in 2020 – 25 years of the Arbitration Act and counting

František Honsa and Petr Vošahlík give an overview of arbitration in the Czech Republic

Introduction

Arbitration within the territory of the Czech Republic recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. Although having a longstanding tradition, the reputation of arbitration as an alternative to dispute resolution before the courts in the Czech Republic has not always been positive. Arbitration was negatively influenced by consumer arbitration and infamous private arbitration centres. On the other hand, the Czech business environment thrives on arbitration as an instrument that benefits parties that make use of it by establishing clear rules and the far-reaching possibilities it offers in contractual freedom.
Continue reading “Sponsored briefing: Arbitration in the Czech Republic in 2020 – 25 years of the Arbitration Act and counting”

Sponsored firm profile: Independent Mediators

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Sponsored firm profile: Independent Mediators

Independent Mediators manages the practices of nine of Europe’s leading full-time civil and commercial mediators. The mediators joined forces to form a dedicated mediation ‘chambers’ which offered a new model for independent mediation practice.Independent Mediators manage the practices of nine of Europe’s leading full-time civil and commercial mediators. The mediators joined forces to form a dedicated mediation ‘chambers’ which offered a new model for independent mediation practice.

In brief

  • The business was launched in 2007 and now comprises nine full-time commercial mediators, two of whom are well-known commercial negligence silks and seven former solicitors.
  • Independent Mediators has been involved in more than 5,500 mediations since launch.
  • Between them the mediators have undertaken more than 8,750 mediations during their careers.
  • IM mediators have worked with parties from over 85 countries, as mediators, mediation advisers to governments and companies and in delivering mediation training.

They are acknowledged as leading mediators in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. In addition all have been welcomed into the Legal 500 Hall of Fame. They all feature in the international directory Who’s Who Legal: Mediation, which recognises the world’s leading commercial mediators. Three of our mediators feature in a list of those selected by Who’s Who Legal as ‘Global Elite Thought Leaders’ in mediation. Recognition of our standing in the international mediation sector was cemented when Independent Mediators were awarded Mediation Firm of the Year 2019 and Bill Marsh was awarded Mediator of the Year 2019 by Who’s Who Legal at their annual awards ceremony.

Our mediators cover a wide range of commercial disputes in almost every sector of business and law. Values range from tens of thousands to multi-billion pounds and are between parties from all walks of life and all over the world, including companies both public and private, national governments, public bodies/authorities and group actions. The mediators regularly travel all over the UK and internationally for mediations.

The mediators are self-employed and independent, and share a central service to administer all their mediations, offering clients the advantages of:

  • A single contact point for all nine mediators – no need to call each mediator separately.
  • Instant diary availability and mediation bookings.
  • Harmonised documentation and fees – with complete transparency on all fees.
  • A standard mediation agreement and timetable for submission of papers.

The structure ensures maximum convenience and speed for clients with minimum overheads. Our aim is to make the process of appointing a mediator as straightforward as possible.

Charles Dodson Phillip Howell-Richardson Kate Jackson

Michel Kallipetis QC Jonathan Lloyd-Jones Mark Lomas QC

Bill Marsh Andrew Paton Nicholas Pryor

L-R, top to bottom: Charles Dodson, Phillip Howell-Richardson, Kate Jackson, Michel Kallipetis QC, Jonathan Lloyd-Jones, Mark Lomas QC, Bill Marsh, Andrew Paton and Nicholas Pryor

Independent Mediators
International Dispute Resolution Centre,
70 Fleet Street,
London, EC4Y 1EU

Tel: +44(0)20 7127 9223
Email: imoffice@independentmediators.co.uk

Web: www.independentmediators.co.uk

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Sponsored briefing: Settlement facilitation or how to cut short an arbitration and save time and costs

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Sponsored briefing: Settlement facilitation or how to cut short an arbitration and save time and costs

Nadia Darwazeh and Dr Henning Schaloske look at the benefits of settlement facilitation

As in-house counsel overseeing disputes, one of the key questions is always: how do I resolve the dispute as quickly and cost-efficiently as possible? Whereas 30 years ago arbitration, with its flexible procedure, was held up as quicker and shorter than going to court, that is not always the case today. The principal reason for this change is that arbitration has become more complex and sometimes more akin to court proceedings. To ensure the continued attractiveness of international arbitration, arbitral institutions, practitioners and in-house counsel alike have carefully considered over the years how to make it more time and cost efficient. One of the first attempts to identify cost and time-saving measures was the ICC Arbitration Commission Report on Techniques for Controlling Time and Costs in Arbitration in 2007. Since then, most if not all major international arbitral rules have been revised to put in place mechanisms, such as the appointment of a sole arbitrator for smaller disputes, expedited and emergency arbitrator proceedings, to ensure that arbitrations are faster and cheaper. Continue reading “Sponsored briefing: Settlement facilitation or how to cut short an arbitration and save time and costs”

Sponsored briefing: The evolution of the Commercial Bar

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Sponsored briefing: The evolution of the Commercial Bar

Duncan Matthews QC, co-head, and Jemma Tagg, chief executive, reflect on the evolution of Twenty Essex and wider sector changes across the Commercial Bar

Reflecting on the past

Twenty Essex enjoys a rich heritage as one of the longest-established sets of commercial and international law chambers. Twenty Essex barristers have always been at the forefront of ground-breaking legal precedent in reported cases before apex courts and tribunals.
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Sponsored briefing: After a busy year in offshore litigation, what
lies ahead in 2020?

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Sponsored briefing: After a busy year in offshore litigation, what <br>lies ahead in 2020?

Christian Hay gives an overview of Collas Crill’s disputes work in 2019 and discusses the challenges and trends that can be expected over the next year

2019 was Collas Crill’s busiest year for dispute resolution. Our litigation teams in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey were firing on all four cylinders.
Continue reading “Sponsored briefing: After a busy year in offshore litigation, what
lies ahead in 2020?”

Sponsored briefing: Surveillance capitalism

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Sponsored briefing: Surveillance capitalism

Jane Colston discusses how the legal world is wrestling with technology regulation

As technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, making every aspect of our lives more streamlined and efficient, the legal world is wrestling with how best to regulate that technology in a way that does not stifle innovation but allows humans to understand and keep control of technology, and make sure it is applied in a way that takes into account human morals and ethics. Continue reading “Sponsored briefing: Surveillance capitalism”

Sponsored firm profile:
Simmons & Simmons

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Sponsored firm profile: <br>Simmons & Simmons

You cannot control the outcome of tax litigation and, in the current political environment, judgments can be hard to predict. We focus on the elements we can control.

Our approach is intellectually rigorous, to ensure all potential technical arguments have been evaluated and managed so there are no surprises at trial. We investigate thoroughly, then focus on meticulous case preparation and strategic planning.
Continue reading “Sponsored firm profile:
Simmons & Simmons”