This will be conducted in English and according to Dubai local time. 

Middle East and Dubai – Delighted to be back!

After the pandemic and prolonged absence, Legal Plus are thrilled to be back for our in-person event, Dubai & Middle East: 8th Annual International Arbitration & Corporate Crime Summit – Through The Looking Glass for 2023 on Tuesday 28 February 2023, 9:00am to 5:45pm. 

Join us to learn the changes and new trends that has affected businesses during and after the pandemic as well as looking through the looking glass into the near future on how Arbitration, crypto disputes and corporate crime affects your business now and the future.  Hot presentations on Construction, Energy, Shareholders, Asset Tracy, Forensics, Tech, M&A disputes, Enforcement of Awards and more on Corporate & Digital Crime, and general legal regional updates given to you by local and international experts who will joining us to share their invaluable knowledge and experience.  It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to leading local and global experts, network and create business opportunities and maybe make some new friends! We look forward to meeting you there so please put the date into your schedule today!!

Registration is now open.  Contact us today or view the latest flyer for registration and program details. Download

If you are interested to sponsor or speak at the event, contact Jason at jason.sinclair@legalplus-asia.com for package details.  For registrations details, contact Bettina at legalpluseventsasia@legalplus-asia.com.

Program
The organiser reserves the right to change the program without prior notice.

• Opening Welcome by Chairperson
  Paul Key KC, Essex Court Chambers London
• Welcome Address by Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
  Jehad Kazim, Board of Directors, Dubai International Arbitration Centre
• Keynote Session: Update in Global Arbitration 2023
  Alexis Mourre, Partner, MGC Arbitration
• Comparisons of Middle East & China For Dispute Settlements — What Companies Who Do Business in Both Regions need To Know
  • Victor Leginsky, International Arbitrator, Arbitralis
  • Dr. Mingchao Fan, Executive Vice President, Shanghai Arbitration Commission; Chairman, Arbitration Commission, Chinese Football Association
  
• M&A Disputes — Effects on Time & Cost After the Pandemic & Has Technology Helped – MENA Focus
  Mohamed El Mahdy, Senior Associate, Shahid Law Firm 
• Questions Not to Ask in Cross-Examination in Commercial Arbitration
  Moderator:  Mark Cheng, Senior Associate, Wee Swee Teow LLP
  • Arvin Lee, Partner, Wee Swee Teow LLP
  • Dr Michael Hwang S.C., Senior Counsel & Chartered Arbitrator, Michael Hwang Chambers; Former Chief Justice, DIFC Courts
  
• Construction Disputes; Differences Between the Civilian and Common Law Worlds
  Julian Cohen, Arbitrator & Barrister, Resolution Chambers International
• 1st Grand Panel: Expert Witness — Cross-border Issues: Has the Rise in the Use of Technology Been a Help or Hindrance to all Parties?
  Moderator: Sean Hugo, Partner, CBBG Group
  Panellists:
  • Saad Hegazy, Vice-Chair, CIArb Qatar Branch; Partner, Resolve
  • Sadaff Habib, Independent Arbitrator
  • Adrian Cole, Independent Arbitrator, Adrian Cole FZ LLE
  
• 2nd Grand Panel: Ask the Experts — Expedited & Emergency Procedures in International Arbitration After the Pandemic — Is Faster Better and Who Really Benefits?
  Moderator: Karim Mahmoud, Partner, Dispute Resolutions, Hadef & Partners
  Panellists:
  • Celine Abi Habib Kanakri, Partner, Kennedys
  • Dr. Dania Fahs, Director, Arbitration and ADR, MENA, ICC International Court of Arbitration
  • Christian P. Alberti, Chief of ADR and General Counsel, Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA)
  
• Recent Developments in India Relating International Arbitration
  S. Ravi Shankar, Managing Partner, Law Senate
  
• Asset Tracing and Recovery – Regional and Cross Border Issues for 2023
  Sara Shaltony, Director, Mintz Group
  
• 3rd Grand Panel: The Use of Technology in Arbitrations — Has COVID-19 Opened the Doors to Embracing New Ideas Going Forward?
  Moderator: Reshma Oogorah, Independent Arbitrator
  Panellists:
  • Pui-Ki Emmanuelle Ta, Chief Executive Officer, eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited
  • Dr. Mingchao Fan, Executive Vice President, Shanghai Arbitration Commission; Chairman, Arbitration Commission, Chinese Football Association
  •William Prasifka, Senior Associate, BSA
  
• Protecting Against Crypto Fraud — ME Focus
  Peter Smith, Legal Director, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
  
• 4th Grand Panel: Managing Corporate Investigations — FCPA and Anti-Bribery
  Moderator: James Daniell, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal
  Panellists
  • Robert Lewsley, Senior Legal Counsel & Regional Head, Disputes and Government Investigations Legal, AME, Standard Chartered Bank
  • Rachel Hill, Partner, Head of Employment, Hadef & Partners
  • Janine Mallis, Senior Associate, Herbert Smith Freehills
  

Speakers

Paul Key KC, Chairman

Barrister, Essex Court Chambers London

Paul Key K.C. is recognised as one of the leading QCs at the English Commercial Bar. He has particular expertise and specialism in arbitration, both international commercial arbitration and investment treaty arbitration (including ICSID). He also regularly appears in arbitration-related Court matters, including appearing in the English Supreme Court in Jivraj v Hashwani. He has been ranked in the toptier (band 1) rankings for arbitration for over 10 years and has consistently been identified as one of the leading figures in that field (“a real arbitration expert”, “few can rival his expertise, ability and knowledge in the field of arbitration”, “the first port of call for important arbitration disputes”, “an arbitration guru”). He has appeared as advocate in over 300 major international arbitrations worldwide, as well as appearing regularly before the English Courts (at all levels) and foreign Courts on arbitration matters. In addition to his extensive experience in international commercial arbitration, he is one of the very few English QCs to have real expertise in investment arbitration. He has been lead counsel in a very large number of BIT / investment arbitrations, acting both for and against States. He is Visiting Professor in international arbitration law at King’s College, London, and has lectured and published widely in this field. He has been a longstanding representative of the UK on the ILA International Commercial Arbitration Committee and is also a delegate for the UNCITRAL Working Group on Arbitration.

Biography

Alexis Mourre, Keynote Speaker

Partner, MGC Arbitration

Alexis Mourre, founding partner of Mourre Gutiérrez Chessa Arbitration, has served as counsel, President of the Tribunal, Co-Arbitrator, Sole Arbitrator or Expert in more than 280 international arbitrations, both ad hoc and before most international arbitral institutions (ICC, ICSID, LCIA, ICDR, SIAC, SCC, DIAC, VIAC, etc.). He established his own arbitration practice in May 2015, after having founded Castaldi Mourre & Partners in 1996. Alexis has been a Court member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration for 12 years, first as Vice-President (2009-2015) and then as President (1 July 2015- 30 June 2021). He was Vice President of the ICC Institute of World Business Law (2011-2015), co-chair of the IBA Arbitration Committee (2012-2013), LCIA Court member (2012-2015) and Council member of the Milan International Chamber of Arbitration (2006-2014). He is the author of numerous books and publications in the field of International Business Law, Private International Law and Arbitration Law. He is founder and former editor in chief of Les Cahiers de l’Arbitrage – The Paris Journal of International Arbitration, a leading publication in the field of international arbitration. Alexis is a member of a large number of scientific and professional institutions dedicated to Arbitration and Private International Law. He is the founder and former president of Paris Place d’Arbitrage/Paris the Home of International Arbitration. He is fluent in French, English, Italian and Spanish, and has a working knowledge of Portuguese.

Biography

Jehad Kazim, Welcome Message Speaker

Board of Directors, Dubai International Arbitration Centre

Jehad leads the Legal Affairs Sector of Dubai Chambers where she oversees the entire legal function of the Chambers and its international offices around the world. She provides broad strategic guidance and legal support to the Dubai Chambers and its stakeholders on wide spectrum of matters including legislation, dispute resolution and corporate governance in line with Dubai Chambers’ vision and strategic objectives. Jehad holds an LL.M in Business Law from University of Hertfordshire, UK and LL.B in Shari’a & Law from the U.A.E. University. A seasoned negotiator with ability to negotiate in a wide range of business contexts, Jehad has successfully completed Harvard Law School's Program on Negotiation. She is a graduate of Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Leadership Development and Cranfield School of Management’s Executive Leadership Development Programme and a Certified Board Director, accredited by Hawkamah and Mudara- Institute of Directors. Previously, Jehad has served as an Assessor for Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award and as a Judge for the Oath Middle East Legal Awards. Jehad is the first Emirati woman on the Board of Directors of Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) and she has served as a Member of the Board of Dubai Women Establishment, a women centric establishment dedicated to leverage Emirati women’s potential and active participation in various aspects of economy and society.

Biography

Sean Hugo, Moderator — 1st Grand Panel

Partner, CBBG Group

Sean is a Partner of CBBG Group. Sean has extensive experience in the specialist disciplines of delay and disruption analysis. Prior to becoming a Delay and Disruption Expert full-time, Sean held senior project-based positions, including Project Manager, Project Controls Manager and Planning Manager on complex projects. Sean has been appointed as an Independent Delay and Disruption Expert, drafting numerous reports providing an independent opinion relating to construction project delay and disruption. Sean is well versed in the best practice protocols of AACE International Recommended Practice No. 29R-03 and the SCL Delay and Disruption Protocol. Sean has testified as a delay and disruption expert and is robust under cross-examination. Additionally, Sean has received formal expert witness and advanced cross-examination training. Sean has been appointed as an independent delay/disruption expert in arbitration under ICC, DIAC and QICCA Arbitration rules.

Biography

Karim Mahmoud Moderator — 2nd Grand Panel

Partner, Dispute Resolutions, Hadef & Partners

Karim is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution team in Dubai. He has extensive experience working for multinational and local entities as well as individuals on all manner of disputes in the local UAE Courts and arbitration proceedings. Karim’s practice includes a broad range of commercial matters with particular expertise in shareholder, commercial agency, banking, and real estate disputes. Acting on big-ticket matters or smaller claims. Prior to joining Hadef & Partners, Karim practised with a multinational firm in New York specialising in Restructuring and Litigation. He holds a Bachelor of Art in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies from Rutgers University in New Jersey and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Brooklyn Law School in New York. Karim is a member of the American Bar Association and is admitted to the New Jersey and New York State Bars. He is fluent in English and Arabic.

Biography

Reshma Oogorah, Moderator — 3rd Grand Panel

Independent Arbitrator

Reshma Oogorah is an international arbitrator and legal counsel with over a decade of experience in high-value and complex commercial disputes. She focusses on the construction, technology and energy sectors, and has represented clients in both common and civil law jurisdictions. She has sat as Sole and Presiding arbitrator and acted as counsel in adhoc arbitrations, and under most major arbitration rules. Prior to setting up her arbitration and legal practice, Niyom Legal, Reshma spent time working with leading law firms in the United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, and with a top London Barrister’s chambers. Throughout her career, Reshma has advised and represented clients in transactions and disputes worth up to US$25 billion. Reshma is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), an elected committee member and Public Relations Officer of the CIArb UAE Branch, and General Editor of the Branch’s quarterly newsletter.

Biography

James Daniell Moderator - 4th Panel

Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal

Arvin Lee

Partner, Wee Swee Teow LLP

Arvin Lee is a Partner of Wee Swee Teow LLP, a 111-year-old Singapore law firm. He is an Arbitrator of the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, the Beijing Arbitration Commission, the Chinese Arbitration Association (International), an Adjudicator of the Financial Institutions Dispute Resolution Centre (Singapore), and a Member of the Appeals Board of the Ministry of National Development, Singapore. He focuses on energy-related disputes (conventional and renewables). Arising from the downstream oil and gas work, he has built up a commodities trading and trade finance disputes practice, which recently includes acting as co-lead counsel on letter of credit issues governed by Singapore law for a Pertamina subsidiary against the paying bank in relation to an LC dispute in excess of US$23m before the Singapore International Commercial Court (and the appeal before the international division of the Singapore Court of Appeal filed by the opponents); being lead counsel for an established Taiwan petrochemical trader against a Big 5 global commodities trading house in relation to a sale and purchase dispute in excess of US$6 million in two consolidated SIAC arbitrations, and for a PRC mining company in 2 SIAC trade finance arbitrations (amounts in dispute in excess of US$7 million) against another Big 5 global commodities trading house and a regional petrochemical trading company. On the renewable energy front, he has a focus on wind and solar, and his experience includes being lead counsel for a Southeast Asian wind power developer in its project finance claims against private equity investor in an SIAC arbitration, with total amount in dispute in excess of US$20 million, for a Southeast Asian wind power developer in relation to attempts by private equity investor to exercise conversion rights to take over control of the developer at project level pursuant to an accelerated repayment provision; and for a Fortune 100 Enterprise’s renewables arm in a solar dispute against a regional contractor in ICC arbitration. Arvin started his dispute resolution career with Michael Hwang S.C., working in his Chambers as an Associate and at the DIFC Courts as Manager – Law and Policy (Consultant). Arvin is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and the International Dispute Resolution Academy (HK). He holds a certificate in Hedging and Management of Energy Price Risk (2021) from the SMU Academy. He holds law degrees from Harvard (LL.M.) and the LSE (LL.B., Hons. 1st).

Biography

Dr Michael Hwang S.C.,

Senior Counsel & Chartered Arbitrator, Michael Hwang Chambers; Former Chief Justice, DIFC Courts

Dr Michael Hwang S.C. currently practises as an international arbitrator and mediator based in Singapore with a selective practice as Senior Counsel of the Supreme Court of Singapore. He served as the Chief Justice of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts from 2010 - 2018. Michael’s other past appointments include: Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court of Singapore; Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Switzerland and Argentina; President of the Law Society of Singapore; Commissioner of the United Nations Compensation Commission; Vice Chairman of the ICC International Court of Arbitration; Vice President of the International Council of Commercial Arbitration (ICCA); Visiting and later Adjunct Professor of the National University of Singapore. He was educated at undergraduate and postgraduate levels at Oxford University, where he won a college scholarship by open competitive examination. He has been conferred an Honorary LLD by the University of Sydney.

Biography

Mark Cheng

Senior Associate, Wee Swee Teow LLP

Mark Cheng is a Senior Associate at Wee Swee Teow LLP, a 111-year-old Singapore law firm, where he focuses on energy-related disputes. He has in his practice had conduct of insurance defence and coverage litigation, having represented and advised insurance companies on third-party liability claims, property and casualty losses, motor and industrial accidents, workmen’s compensation, business interruption claims and recovery proceedings before the Supreme Court, the State Courts and the Labour Courts of Singapore. His work in resisting a test case involving the claim for government grants and subsidies applied towards a claimant’s medical expenses, as an exception to the doctrine of collateral benefits (and in successfully resisting the ensuing appeal by the claimant), was reported in Singapore news media. On the corporate and commercial front, Mark has had a focus on foreign investment into Indonesia, via joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions or franchising and licensing, serving clients in the energy, mining, oil and gas, aviation, shipping, and agriculture sectors, amongst others. He has worked on IPOs on the Main Board and the GEM of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, including the listing of ZACD Group Limited, which raised HK$495 million, and the dual listing and global offering of LHN Limited, which raised HK$79.8 million in gross proceeds, amongst others. Mark has also served as in-house counsel at the Asia Regional Head Office of the Rakuten Group, during which he managed and advised C-suite on the group’s cross-border corporate, compliance and regulatory affairs, in English and in Japanese and in conjunction with global in-house counsel. Mark is a Member of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators, and an Assigned Solicitor of the Singapore Legal Aid Bureau. He holds a Certificate in General Insurance from the Singapore College of Insurance. He graduated with an LL.B. (Hons.) and a minor in Forensic Science from the National University of Singapore.

Biography

Julian Cohen

Arbitrator & Barrister, Resolution Chambers International

Julian has 30 years of specialist experience of heavyweight international, and domestic, disputes. Sums in dispute in his cases vary from small to in excess of USD 2 billion. In addition to acting as counsel, he also regularly sits as an arbitrator. Julian has over 10 years’ experience in the MENA region, including 2 years based full time in Dubai, and an ongoing long-term commitment to the region. Julian has been involved in projects and disputes in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Oman, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Benin, Sierra Leone and Mali. Julian was called to the Bar in England & Wales in 1990. He was with Pinsent Masons’ Construction Disputes practice in London and Hong Kong from 1993 to 2009. He left Pinsent Masons as a partner in 2009, and was called to the Bar in Hong Kong in 2010. Julian is particularly well known for his heavy weight practice in relation to the Construction and Engineering sectors, the Energy, Oil and Gas sectors and International and domestic arbitrations.

Biography

Rachel Hill

Partner, Head of Employment, Hadef & Partners

Rachel Hill is a Partner heading up our Employment practice advising on all aspects of employment law. A UK qualified lawyer, Rachel has over 16 years’ experience in both litigation and employment and has spent the last 12 years in the Middle East providing strategic advice to employers on all aspects of employment law and immigration procedures. Rachel holds extensive experience in, and understanding of, the local UAE Court system and has developed an integral understanding of the procedural requirements of filing litigation before the Dubai Labour Courts – a unique capability for a non-Arab native. Rachel also has experience of the Common Law Courts of both the DIFC and the ADGM and regularly advises on a broad range of employment issues arising within the DIFC and ADGM.

Biography

S. Ravi Shankar

Managing Partner, Law Senate

S. Ravi Shankar, the Managing Partner of the Law Senate Arbitration Law Firm, from India is a qualified Advocate on Record in the Supreme Court of India (Highest Court in India), with more than 26 years of Experience in the field of law. He is holding a Master’s degree in Business Administration along with a bachelor’s degree in Law. He has a strong International exposure and hence travelled to 41 countries across the world on various assignments. Being a corporate lawyer, he has strong experience in Arbitration, Litigation and other corporate legal work. Being an Expert in Arbitration cases and related litigation he has appeared in various High value Arbitration cases before various Arbitration Panels with International Arbitrators, Judges and other reputed Arbitrators. He has appeared in High value Construction, Export disputes, Shipping, Infrastructure, Airports arbitrations etc., involving Indian and Foreign Jurisdictions. He has also appeared for parties in the Arbitrations conducted under ICC Rules of Arbitration. He has also appeared in cases conducted in Singapore International Arbitration centre (SIAC), Hong Kong International Arbitration centre (HKIAC), Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA) Delhi International Arbitration Centre, Delhi, Formerly DAC etc., He also has conducted various Arbitration related litigation with regard to existence of Arbitration clause, Appointment of Arbitrators, Challenging of Awards, Execution of New York Convention awards, cases relating to execution of foreign awards etc. He has appeared in High value Construction, Export disputes, Shipping, Infrastructure, Airports arbitrations etc., involving Indian and Foreign Jurisdictions. Mr. Shankar is an active member of various professional Institutions including International Bar Association (IBA), Asian Society of International law (ASIL), Arbitration Bar of India (ABI), Chartered Institute of Arbitration, Association of International Arbitration (AIA), International Council for Commercial Arbitration, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) etc., He is also an active member of JCI. He was holding various international offices in JCI and other organisations.

Biography

Sara Shaltony

Director, Mintz Group

Sara Shaltony is a Director and leads the Mintz Group’s Middle East and North Africa team from our Dubai office. She specializes in providing investigative support to complex disputes, enhanced due diligence, strategic intelligence and international asset identification. Sara regularly provides clients with intelligence to inform their legal strategy in the course of commercial disputes and she has managed numerous asset identification assignments globally. She has extensive experience advising on regulatory and reputational risks and gathering strategic intelligence to help clients make informed decisions and respond to opportunities and challenges. Prior to joining the Mintz Group, Sara spent seven years at two other global corporate investigations firms leading strategic intelligence, due diligence, asset traces and other compliance and disputes assignments in the MENA region and in jurisdictions across Africa and Europe. Sara is a native Arabic speaker and has lived and worked in MENA for over a decade.

Biography

Mohamed El Mahdy

Senior Associate, Shahid Law Firm

Mohamed El Mahdy is a member of Shahid Law’s International Business and Dispute Resolution teams. He maintains a broad International commercial practice, having handled cases under various institutional rules, including the ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL, DIFC-LCIA and CRCICA. He works on in dispute settlement, with a particular focus on energy-related disputes; investor-state disputes; mergers and acquisitions; corporate and commercial agreements; joint venture arrangements; and banking and finance. In addition to his dispute resolution practice, he advises clients on construction, hotel management, intellectual property and energy matters. Prior joining Shahid Law, he used to work in the Cairo office of one of the world’s largest international law firms. He holds an LLM from Hamburg University, Master of Economics from Cairo University and a Master of Laws from Ain Shams University.

Biography

Celine Abi Habib Kanakri

Partner, Kennedys

Celine is a partner in our Dubai office who specialises in UAE and international arbitration. She qualified in Lebanon in 2005 and is also a registered legal consultant in Dubai. With over 10 years’ experience practicing in the Middle East, Celine’s expertise in domestic and international arbitration spans a range of industry sectors. Her focus is on UAE and international arbitration across a range of industry sectors, including real estate, commercial and construction disputes. She also has considerable experience of corporate, civil and commercial law within the UAE and has been involved in drafting several UAE decrees, laws and regulations. Predominantly acting for multi-national corporates, construction companies and high net worth individuals, Celine has also been involved with drafting training materials for the Dubai Legal Affairs Department. She is also fluent in Arabic, English and French, and is a member of the UAE International Chamber of Commerce and Arbitral Women. Celine also sits as arbitrator with leading institutions such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Dubai International Financial Centre and London Court of International Arbitration (DIFC-LCIA), and Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) – from whom she was awarded best sole arbitrator under the age of 40 in 2018. Celine has been ranked as one of the MENA Super 50 lawyers for 2022 In the Asian Legal Business by Thomson Reuters and have been repeatedly ranked in Legal 500 for construction and dispute resolution.

Biography

Janine Mallis

Senior Associate, Herbert Smith Freehills

William Prasifka

Senior Associate, BSA

William is a Senior Associate in BSA’s Dispute Resolution Department. His practice focuses on arbitration as well as litigation before the DIFC and ADGM Courts. William represents major financial institutions, media and technology companies, and firms involved in all aspects of the construction industry. Prior to joining BSA, William served as a Senior Legal Counsel to a multinational financial services provider based in Dubai. There he gained considerable experience in regulatory law, structured products, and the financial technology sector. Before moving to Dubai, William practiced law as a Barrister for over six years in Dublin. He regularly appeared before the High Court and Court of Appeal, and acted as an advocate in precedent setting cases in the financial sector. William holds a degree in history from Columbia University, a law degree from the University of Cambridge, and has been called to the Bar of England and Wales.

Biography

Dr Dania Fahs

Director, Arbitration and ADR, MENA, ICC International Court of Arbitration

Before joining ICC in 2018, Dania had a (13 +) years of mixed experience as attorney in private practice and in-house counseling. She is specialized in transactional, commercial and IP law and has advised clients on a broad range of commercial contentious and non-contentious matters as well as assisted in negotiating complex cross border transactions in various sectors (pharmaceutical, technology, FMCG, luxury…) Prior to joining ICC, Dania was a senior legal counsel at Oracle Corp. She has an extensive international experience in advising multinational boards on a wide range of legal and strategic issues. Prior to relocating to UAE, Dania was a former lecturer in American Business Law (American University of Beirut), and in Intellectual Property Law (La Sagesse University) Dania holds a Phd in Contractual Law (2007 University Montpellier I -France) Dir. Prof. Jacques Raynard and an Executive MBA from INSEAD (2018). She also holds a post graduate microprogramme degree in IP and Alternative Dispute Resolution (University of Montreal). She is certified as Trainer of Trainers by the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Centre, member of Arbitral Women and a certified CEDR mediator.

Biography

Pui-Ki Emmanuelle Ta

Chief Executive Officer, eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited

Ms Ta is currently the Chief Executive Officer of eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre Limited. With over 15 years of experience in international arbitration and case management, she has supervised hundreds of international arbitration cases in a wide range of jurisdictions and economic sectors. As Counsel of the Secretariat of the International Court of Arbitration of the ICC, Asia Office in Hong Kong (2016-2021), she was responsible for managing the Hong Kong team, including administration of Asia-related arbitration cases. She is qualified to practice at the Paris bar.

Biography

Robert Lewsley

Senior Legal Counsel & Regional Head, Disputes and Government Investigations Legal, AME, Standard Chartered Bank

Robert is the Regional Head of Disputes and Government Investigations (Africa & Middle East) at Standard Chartered Bank. Robert studied law at the London School of Economics (2003, LLB Hons first class), was called to the Bar of England & Wales in 2004 and practised in London before moving to Dubai in 2009. He spent seven years in the arbitration team at Al Tamimi & Co. handling complex commercial disputes, and appeared regularly before the DIFC Courts and arbitral tribunals as an advocate. He joined Standard Chartered Bank in 2017. Robert has published widely, contributing articles to Global Arbitration Review, the International Arbitration Law Review, and chapters on the DIFC as a seat for arbitration.

Biography

Saad Hegazy

Vice-Chair, CIArb Qatar Branch; Partner, Resolve International

Saad Hegazy is a Delay and Quantum Testified Expert Witness, Member of the Academy of Experts with over 25 appointments, Expert Determinator, Arbitrator and CEDR Accredited Mediator based between Doha and Dubai with more than 17 years’ experience in Delay Analysis, Construction Contracts, Quantity Surveying, Claims, and Disputes Resolution in various industries and projects types in GCC, Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Saad has a wealth of experience and knowledge, having worked on airports, metros, infrastructures, industrials, oil & gas, water treatment, utilities, luxuries and high-rise building projects. His expertise extends to arbitration, mediation, and litigation work. His education includes BSc in Civil Engineering, MSc in Strategic Project Management, LLM in construction law and International Arbitration. Saad is the President of the AACE Qatar Branch, Vice-Chair of the CIArb Qatar Branch, and previous ICC YAF MENA Regional Representative, Saad is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), Expert Witness and Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), CEDR Accredited Mediator, and Arbitrator listed at ICC, CIArb, SCCA, QICCA, BDAC, AAC, and W&W rosters.

Biography

Dr. Mingchao Fan

Executive Vice President, Shanghai Arbitration Commission; Chairman, Arbitration Commission, Chinese Football Association

Dr. Fan serves as the Executive Vice President of the Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC). He has extensive knowledge of the Asia-Pacific region and is an experienced arbitrator. Over 200 arbitration proceedings have been conducted with him as presiding arbitrator, sole arbitrator or co-arbitrator under the rules of UNCITRAL, CAS, SIAC, etc. In addition, he is the immediate past Chair of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators East Asia Branch's PRC Subcommittee. Besides commercial arbitration, Dr. Fan has extensive experience in sports dispute resolution. He is a listed arbitrator of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and chairs the Arbitration Commission of the Chinese Football Association.

Biography

Sadaff Habib

Independent Arbitrator

Sadaff Habib is an independent arbitrator and disputes counsel. She is a qualified New York attorney and has vast experience acting as both an arbitrator and as counsel in disputes across a variety of industries including construction, infrastructure, property, commercial, shareholder, desalination plants and solar power projects. She is recognized as a leading disputes practitioner both for her work as an arbitrator and as counsel by the Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal who last year ranked her as a Future Leader. Sadaff has acted in ad hoc arbitrations and in disputes under various institutional rules including the ICC, UNCITRAL, Swiss Rules of International Arbitration, DIAC Rules, and ADCCAC rules. Before founding her practice, Equanimity Arbitration, Sadaff worked with leading international law firms with renowned disputes practice. Sadaff previously served as an Assistant Editor for Africa for the Kluwer Arbitration Blog and was on the CIArb UAE Branch Committee during which time she developed the CIArb UAE Mentoring Program. She also co-founded the Africa Construction Law Blog and served as General Editor of the blog.

Biography

Christian P. Alberti

Chief of ADR and General Counsel, Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA)

Christian P. Alberti is the Chief of ADR and General Counsel of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) and based in Riyadh and Dubai. Prior to joining the SCCA in 2019, he was the Assistant Vice President of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (AAA-ICDR). He taught as Adjunct Professor at New York University School of Law (NYU) on International Arbitration and International Sales Law between 2017 and 2019. He is a Member of the Global Advisory Board of the New York International Arbitration Center (NYIAC), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators as well as a member of various international ADR associations. He is certified to practice law in Germany and New York State.

Bbiography

Victor P. Leginsky

International Arbitrator, Arbitralis

Victor P. Leginsky, Canadian citizen, is an experienced international arbitrator and mediator resident in the United Arab Emirates since 2007. Victor has earned he internationally-recognized designations of Chartered Arbitrator and Fellow from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and is appointed to the CIArb Panel of Arbitrators. Victor is a CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution, London) accredited mediator and mediation experience as Chair, Manufactured Home Park Dispute Resolution Committee (Attorney General of British Columbia, Canada, appointment) and in mediations. Victor is appointed to the panels or lists of arbitrators in a number of international centres and is a committee member of the International Court of Arbitration (ICC) Canada. He has instructed and assessed in respect of Mediation though the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the CIArb. He is the past Middle East Regional Director of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN). He is a member in good standing of the Law Society of British Columbia, Canada.

Bbiography

Adrian Cole

Independent Arbitrator, Adrian Cole FZ LLE

Adrian Cole is an Independent Arbitrator, Mediator and Dispute Board member. He is a construction dispute specialist with expertise in energy, real estate and infrastructure development and formerly led King & Spalding's highly rated Middle East Dispute Resolution Practice. Mr Cole is listed by Who’s Who Legal as one of the top 25 construction dispute resolution lawyers in the World and ranked tier one by Chambers Global and Legal 500. Part of the “Global Elite” in thought leadership, "He's the kind of guy you want with you rather than against you." and is ranked for “his knowledge in arbitration” (Chambers Global). He "stands out as a strong expert in construction-related dispute resolution" (Legal 500). As arbitrator, Mr Cole has decided over 90 significant and complex construction cases sitting with some of the world’s leading construction arbitrators and is listed by Chambers Global as one of the most in demand arbitrators. Mr Cole has recently been appointed as a Judge in the Court of Cassation, in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Biography

Peter Smith

Legal Director, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Peter is a barrister with experience of a wide range of civil and commercial disputes and sectors, including arbitration, banking and finance, company, employment, insurance, insolvency, media, real estate, technology and construction, and professional negligence. In the Legal 500 (UAE Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and International Litigation), Peter was recommended as a ‘Rising Star’ in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and was described as “notable” in 2019. He was included in the inaugural Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist Middle East (2022). Peter is admitted to practise in England and Wales (barrister), Dubai International Financial Centre (Part 1 and Part 2 registered), and the Emirate of Dubai. He has appeared before the ADGM Court of First Instance and has rights of audience at the Astana International Financial Centre Court (2019).

Biography

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Complimentary Registration for in-house counsel

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If you would like to apply for an in-house counsel complimentary ticket, please click here and fill in your details. Complimentary seat is applicable to in-house counsel from non law / consultancy firm only.  One complimentary sear per company, first-come-first-served. Results are based on the organiser’s discretion and applicants will be notified by email.