International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution – The Future

An event by the West Midlands Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and Birmingham City University (BCU) School of Law's International Business Law Research Group.

The use of arbitration to resolve international commercial disputes can be traced back to the 7th Century. To date, arbitration remains the dominant preference of dispute resolution method for international business. In its long history of usage, arbitration has been extending from the traditional industries, like construction, marine, commodity trades to many others like banking, investment, and consumer matters. It also morphs from a consensual process between private parties to cover other arrangements like state-to-state agreements, the Brexit agreement between the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) is an example. Its latest advance is that arbitration is specified as the only named dispute resolution process in the UK Government-backed Digital Dispute Resolution Rules for legal disputes concerning novel technology, such as smart contracts. Whilst we continue to hear the success stories of arbitration, other dispute resolution processes are gaining popularity, like mediation. The talks cover international arbitration and other ADRs. They are tailored to law students who will be the future of our profession.

Venue

Lecture Theatre C087, The Curzon Building, Birmingham City University

Speakers

• Sameer Shinh, the Chairperson of the CIArb’s West Midlands branch
• James Ng, mfg Solicitors, Consultant
• Dr Alan Ma, lecturer, BCU’s School of Law

Agenda

16:15 – Introducing the event and the speakers, Dr Alan Ma

16:20 – The global trend from a practitioner's perspective, James Ng

17:00 – Smart contract and arbitration, Dr Alan Ma

17:25 – The West Midlands branch of CIArb, Sameer Shinh

17:45 - Close