News & Insights

Congratulations to Arbitra member Peter Mason who has been admitted as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). 

Peter joins Sunil Abraham, Aniz Ahmad Amirudin, Steve Devereux, Alec Emmerson, Shan Greer, John Judge, Likando Kalaluka, SC, Wolf von Kumberg, Frank Lattal, John C. Lenzen, Anthony Lo Surdo SC, Brandon Malone and Paul Sills as Fellows and we are delighted to support the work of the Institute here in London and it's groups across the world including most recently in the UAE CIArb UAE Branch.

Arbitra members have been appointed to the panel of arbitrators as announced by the European Commission for the EU trade agreements with third countries.

We are pleased to share Paul Sills, James Bridgeman SC, Todd Weiler and Monique Sasson have all been appointed to the specialist panels. These are significant appointments and cement Arbitra International's work in trade-related disputes, alongside many distinguished neutrals.

It was a pleasure to host the Georgian Delegation whilst on their visit to London.

Arbitra welcomed the delegation at The IDRC where we presented on Arbitra International and discussed all things arbitration.

We are pleased to share Anthony Lo Surdo SC, FCIArb has joined the KCAB INTERNATIONAL Panel of Arbitrators for the years 2022 - 2025.

Congratulations to Arbitra International member Brandon Malone who has been admitted to the THAC Thailand Arbitration Center Panel of Arbitrators for the term 2022 - 2025!

We are pleased to share the Podcast of Monique Sasson and Professor Dr. Maxi Scherer.

Monique and Maxi are the editors of the Wolters Kluwer Journal of International Arbitration (JOIA) Special Issue on Empirical Work in Commercial Arbitration which has recently been published.

You can listen to the full podcast here. 

Arbitra International is thrilled to announce that Juvenalis Ngowi, based in Tanzania, has been admitted to the African Arbitration Association.

The AAA is one of Africa's leading arbitral associations.

We are delighted to see that Arbitra member Shan Greer was mentioned in this recent piece by Global Arbitration Review

The article reports  her appointment as chair of the arbitration committee for the BVI International Arbitration Centre.

See the full article here https://lnkd.in/edYVU2eV

We are pleased to share Russell Thirgood has been Awarded Australian Arbitrator of the Year 2022!

Arbitra International congratulates Russell on his well-deserved success and is delighted his achievements have been recognised.

We are delighted to announce that arbitrators Peter Rogan and John C. Lenzen, have been accepted as Panel Members of ARIAS (UK).

They join a community of independent arbitrators who have been suitably trained in arbitration procedures, and who are experts in resolving disputes across worldwide insurance and reinsurance markets. Their membership further enhances Arbitra International’s standing in this important practice area and is a significant accomplishment for both arbitrators.

Anthony Lo Surdo SC has been appointed to the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (AMCA) Register for Arbitrators and Mediators

We are pleased to share Anthony has been appointed to the ACMA register of bargaining code under the News Media and Digital Platform Mandatory Bargaining Code (Code) established pursuant to the Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code) Act 2021 and commenced on 3 March 2021.

We congratulate Arbitra International member Brandon Malone who has recently been appointed to the FIDIC President’s List of Approved Dispute Adjudicators

We congratulate Arbitra International member Brandon Malone who has recently been appointed to the FIDIC - International Federation of Consulting Engineers, President's List of Approved Dispute Adjudicators, the value of which is recognised by construction professionals globally.

We are pleased to announce Arbitra International member Monique Sasson has been recognised for her work in International Arbitration by Leaders League

Leaders League Italia has published its 2022 Italy Best International Arbitrator Rankings and we are pleased to announce Arbitra International member Monique Sasson has been recognised for her work in this field.

We are delighted to share the latest blog from our member, Gregory Hunt,.

We are delighted to share the latest blog from our member, Gregory Hunt, which charts the progress of Hunt ADR Limited over the last year, as it now enters its sixth year of trading.

Gregg, who is a Fellow of the Civil Mediation Council, joined Arbitra International as a #mediator earlier this year and we are delighted to support his #mediation practice – and looking forward to the next six years and more.

Congratulations! To read the full blog please click here

We are delighted to announce that John C. Lenzen, FCIArb has been certified as an ARIAS-US arbitrator.

ARIAS-US is the leading not-for-profit trade association for the #insurance and #reinsurance industry. As a certified professional, John joins a list of certified #arbitrators that are current and in good standing with their ARIAS U.S. membership, alongside those of umpires, neutral arbitrators, and qualified mediators.

Paul Sills has been admitted to the Asian International Arbitration Centre Panel of Arbitrators & Mediators for the term 2022 – 2025.

We are pleased to announce that Arbitra International member Paul Sills has been admitted to the Asian International Arbitration Centre Panel of Arbitrators & Mediators for the term 2022 – 2025. He looks forward to working with friends and colleagues closely in Kuala Lumpur.

John Lenzen has published a short post on mediation and the best way to conduct it for a successful outcome

John Lenzen has published a short post on his website on mediation and the best way to conduct it for a successful outcome. 

To read the full article 'Oy To The Vey: The Need For More Kibitzing in Mediation' please click here. 

Wolf Von Kumberg has been admitted to the newly established Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and CEDR panel of Investor-State Mediators.

Investor-State mediation is a mechanism that is proving more popular and of interest to Investor and States and Wolf features alongside eleven other notable mediators who will assist parties in settling their disputes.

We are thrilled to announce that James Bridgeman SC and Russell Thirgood have been admitted to join the Panel of Arbitrators at HKIAC.

We are delighted both James Bridgeman SC and Russell Thirgood have been admitted to the distinguised panel of Arbitrators. 

Ex-Zambia AG and leading Nigerian lawyer join arbitrator ranks

Zambia’s former attorney general has gained an international platform for his new career in the private sector, while a leading Nigerian lawyer has gone independent.

To read the full publication from ICLG please click here 

We are delighted to share Arbitra International members have been admitted to the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Panel of #arbitrators.

Shan Greer Joins Arbitra International

Shan Greer has joined Arbitra International, a new management service for arbitrators and mediators, where she will practice exclusively as an independent arbitrator, effective 25 January 2022. Shan has over twenty years of experience in international arbitration, most recently as an independent arbitrator, including chair, sole, and party-appointed arbitrator. She has particular experience in the construction sector, as well as in large infrastructure disputes. She has practised as a lawyer with leading firms in London, Bristol and St Lucia and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). She sits on the panels of numerous arbitration institutions in complex, high value disputes.

Lara Hammoud Joins Arbitra International

Lara Hammoud has joined Arbitra International, a new management service for arbitrators and mediators, who will assist her with her Independent Arbitrator practice, effective 25 January 2022. Lara has over twenty years of experience in international arbitration and has acted as sole, chair or party-appointed arbitrator in commercial and construction disputes in the Middle East and Europe. She is senior corporate counsel at Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and worked previously at a leading global law firm in Paris and Abu Dhabi as well as at the ICC in Paris. Lara is a member of the ICC Court and sits on the panels of arbitrators of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), and Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC).

Monique Sasson Joins Arbitra International

Monique Sasson has joined Arbitra International, a new management service for arbitrators and mediators, where she will practice as an independent arbitrator, effective 25 January 2022. Monique has nearly thirty years of experience in international disputes, having previously worked at major law firms in Rome, London, and New York. She obtained her doctoral degree in international law from Cambridge University and currently acts as counsel or arbitrator (sole, party-appointed, and chair) in a variety of international arbitration cases. Monique is a solicitor-advocate (senior courts of England and Wales) and a member of the New York Bar and the Italian Bar (Milan). 

An article by Wolf Von Kumberg was recently published in the International Bar Association (IBA) Journal

An article by Wolf von Kumberg, a member of Arbitra International Energy Transition Group was recently published in the International Bar Association (IBA) Journal.

The article highlights the use of Conflict Avoidance Boards in Green Projects to assist in managing energy transition disputes.

You can access the full article here. 

Arbitra International is delighted to announce a Memorandum of Understanding with Arbitrator Intelligence.

As a provider of next-generation support services for arbitrators and neutrals, we are delighted to work with the team at AI.
 
We respect and admire AI’s work in providing next-generation arbitrator research solutions. Our collaboration will only benefit the market for arbitrators, and is a reflection of our shared personal and corporate goals in this area.
 
The agreement signed by Owen Lawrence, Chief Executive of Arbitra, and Catherine Rogers, Founder and CEO of AI, will see both businesses collaborate closely, helping to improve the process of arbitrator selection, while also enhancing the visibility of diverse arbitrators, in a way which will benefit clients and counsel alike.

Randi Ayman has had her PhD thesis selected for publication in one of the most renowned legal publishing houses in France and French speaking jurisdictions, LGDJ, by Professor Alain Pellet

The thesis - La dénonciation et la renégociation des traités, will be published in 2023. Congratulations to her on her achievement.

We are pleased to celebrate Russell Thirgood’s achievement in being recognised for his work in Arbitration in Brisbane by Best Lawyers 2022.

CDR - International Trio joins Arbitra International

Commercial Dispute Resolution (CDR), part of the ICLG suite of titles, has published a news story on our recent arrivals, Lara Hammoud, Shan Greer, and Monique Sasson. In the story, CDR editor, Andrew Mizner notes the arrival of our new members adds to our regional capabilities, and also builds on the strengths of our previous arrivals in July 2021, as well as those of our founding members. The article can be found here 

Three new members, Lara Hammoud, Shan Greer, and Monique Sasson, have joined Arbitra

Lara, Shan and Monique will practice as arbitrators exclusively through Arbitra, adding to Arbitra’s diversity of talent. The trio has extensive arbitral experience in key jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and the Caribbean, supplementing the skills and expertise of Arbitra’s existing membership.

Frank Lattal and his co-author George Kenny, have just completed the latest edition of New Jersey Insurance Law

Our member, Frank Lattal, FCIArb and his co-author George Kenny, have just completed the latest edition of New Jersey Insurance Law, considered as one of the leading texts in its field. Now in its 14th edition, the book considers all aspects of #insurancelaw and #litigation as interpreted by the courts of New Jersey. It is an essential read for judges, insurance lawyers, in-house counsel, brokers, and underwriters, and is considered to be a flagship title for ALM Media, LLC in this field.

New Jersey has long been recognized as a leading state in the development of insurance law; Frank and George’s book, gives a broad, impartial, and unbiased overview of the state of insurance coverage litigation and the principles that guide the enforcement and interpretation of insurance policies.

Further information on the full publication is available here 

Congratulations Paul Sills for gaining Prime Dispute “Outstanding Global Achievement in Commercial Mediation”

We are delighted to celebrate Paul Sills's achievement in being recognised for his work in commercial #mediation by Prime Dispute.

View the full Digital Profile here

We are pleased to announce that all of our members have been appointed as members of the Shanghai Arbitration Commission Panel of Arbitrators

We are pleased to announce that all of our members have been appointed as members of the 上海仲裁委员会 Shanghai Arbitration Commission Panel of Arbitrators.

For more detailed information on how to engage our arbitrators to resolve business disputes, please contact Owen Lawrence, Rachel Bidmead or Demi Robinson.

我们很高兴地宣布，我们的所有成员均已被任命为上海仲裁委员会仲裁员小组的成员

有关如何聘请我们的仲裁员解决商业纠纷的更多详细信息，请联系 Owen Lawrence、Rachel Bidmead 或 Demi Robinson。

Arbitra members recognised in Who’s Who Legal and Global Arbitration Review 2022

Great to see many of our Arbitra International members recognised in Who's Who Legal and Global Arbitration Review 2022.

Congratulations to Ania Farren, Brandon Malone, Brian Kotick, Alec Emmerson, James Bridgeman SC, John Judge, Calvin A. Hamilton, C.Arb. FCIArb, Sunil Abraham and Tan Sri Dato Cecil Abraham.

Arbitra’s diverse member list has seen recognition in jurisdictions spanning across the #UK #Europe, #MiddleEast, #Canada, #Caribbean, and #SouthEastAsia

Brandon Malone has recently become an Approved Dispute Adjudicator on the FIDIC - International Federation of Consulting Engineers Presidents List.

Congratulations to Arbitra's Brandon Malone who has recently become an Approved Dispute Adjudicator on the FIDIC - International Federation of Consulting Engineers Presidents List.
Brandon is now well placed to accept appointments as a dispute board member.

Russell Thirgood has written the an article on appeals for the International Journal of Arbitration.

The article draws attention to the potential advantages and disadvantages of allowing for appeals on questions of law in international commercial arbitration. The article follows a series of seminars held on the topic.

While allowing for appeals may look attractive on paper, Russell concludes that the pure Model Law approach whereby appeals on questions of law are not permitted is the preferred course and best honours the fundamental principle of party autonomy which underpins the arbitral framework.

A PDF version of the article can be viewed here

Jessica Crow is a proud member of the North America Regional Subcommittee of the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations: The Green Pledge

Jessica Crow is a proud member of the North America Regional Subcommittee of the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations: The Green Pledge and is the team lead of the Institutions Committee responsible for liaising with institutions in North America to encourage greener arbitrations practices and implement the Green Protocols.

We at Arbitra International are proud to support The Green Pledge.

With focus on COP 26, now is the time to sign up to the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations: The Green Pledge, if you haven’t already. To do so cllick here 

Arbitra is delighted to announce that Paul Sills has been named a 2021 Lexology Client Choice Award Winner for his work in mediation award in New Zealand

The Lexology Client Choice Awards recognise individuals worldwide that stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service, and how they add real value to clients’ business above and beyond the other players in the market.

Uniquely, winners can be nominated only by corporate counsel, as selected from a pool of more than 2,000 individual client assessments. Testimonials to Paul’s skills include the following comments:

Paul “has been recognised for his excellent work by various professional bodies, both in this country and abroad. Unsurprisingly, he is one of New Zealand’s leading mediators.”

We are delighted that Paul has received the recognition he deserves, and we celebrate this achievement with him. 

Our member, Paul Sills, recently wrote an op-ed article in the Michaelmas edition of ‘The Barrister’ magazine, on “Lawyers as healers of social conflict”

Our member, Paul Sills, recently wrote an op-ed article in the Michaelmas edition of ‘The Barrister’ magazine, on “Lawyers as healers of social conflict”, which discusses the role that the legal profession can play in today’s current changeable times, and why our skill sets, including those in dispute resolution, make this “the perfect time to remind ourselves why we are truly here and what we lawyers can contribute to the world”.

Read the full article here

Anthony Lo Surdo SC appointed to the HKIAC Panel of Arbitrators

Congratulations, Anthony Lo Surdo SC who has been admitted to the Hong Kong International Arbitratiion Centre's panel of Arbitrators (HKIAC). 

BREAKING: Six new faces as Arbitra broadens team

Arbitration services provider Arbitra has recruited six more members, bringing additional reach in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and bringing a wider range of backgrounds to its platform. Please click here for the full article. 

We are delighted to announce that our members Paul Sills, Peter Rogan, Anthony Lo Surdo SC, and Wolf von Kumberg have all been appointed to the AGDM Arbitration Centre’s new panel of #mediators.

Mediation - with the advent of the Singapore Convention on Mediation - has increasing international relevance for corporates, as they utilise their ADR strategies alongside now-strengthened enforcement mechanisms for mediation awards, which are available for clients in those states who have entered into and ratified the Convention.

This is another example of how Arbitra International is committed to ADR in the Middle East. We wish our friends and colleagues in Abu Dhabi every success.

We are delighted that our member, Anthony Lo Surdo SC, FCIArb has been appointed to the prestigious Judicial Panel of The Football Association (England).

Arbitra International is pleased to participate in Singapore Convention Week - #SCWeek2021 - a week of virtual events dedicated to all forms of dispute resolution, including mediation, 6-10 Sep 2021

Arbitra International is pleased to participate in Singapore Convention Week - #SCWeek2021 - a week of virtual events dedicated to all forms of dispute resolution, including mediation, held from 6 to 10 September 2021.

Participants will discuss the latest trends and innovations in international dispute resolution amidst a fast-evolving business landscape in the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Our member, Wolf von Kumberg, is taking part in a workshop on investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS),  sponsored by UNCITRAL: United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and the Ministry of Law, Singapore.

The UNCITRAL Academy event is an inaugural event jointly organised by MinLaw and UNCITRAL. It is a crucial highlight of SC Week 2021, comprising fireside chats, panel discussions, and capacity-building workshops featuring C-level executives and industry heavyweights.

Our member, Paul Sills, has published a recent video interview with New Zealand Lawyer magazine as to how to view mediation

Our member, Paul Sills, has published a recent video interview with New Zealand Lawyer magazine as to how to view mediation, as a form of facilitated conversation, which helps to resolve disputes effectively.

Paul is a nationally recognised #mediator, with a successful track record in delivering successful #mediations and #arbitrations.  For more information, contact Arbitra International to learn about how Paul can help your clients resolve their disputes.

View the full video here

Our member, Calvin Hamilton, was one of the contributors to a 2020 report, commissioned by the Commonwealth Law Ministers

Our member, Calvin Hamilton, was one of the contributors to a 2020 report, commissioned by the Commonwealth Law Ministers, which aimed broadly survey the contemporary landscape of commercial arbitration across all Commonwealth member countries – including the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Country Reports were contributed by Calvin Hamilton. With the permission of the authors, they are reproduced in this attached summary. Each chapter gives an overview of the law and practice relating to arbitration, current issues of interest, and suggestions for reform, while the Executive Summary gives an overview of current challenges, best practice, and scope for improvements.

It is a practical, and highly useful ‘ready reckoner’ for lawyers, corporate counsel, and state bodies, as well as a prompt for judicial and legislative change, where required. If you do business in the region, then it is sure to be helpful. We will publish extracts on individual countries over the coming weeks.

Read the report here

Arbitra is delighted to announce that our member, Russell Thirgood, has published a recent book review of Professor SI Strong’s book ‘Legal Reasoning Across Commercial Disputes’

Arbitra is delighted to announce that our member, Russell Thirgood, has published a recent book review of Professor SI Strong’s book ‘Legal Reasoning Across Commercial Disputes’, published by Oxford University Press, in a contribution to the Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal (published by Thomson Reuters).

In his review, Russell notes that Strong’s book: “provides us with invaluable and original empirical research that takes the reader into the minds (and perhaps even the souls) of the arbitrators and judges who play such a critical role in dispensing justice”.

He adds: “’Legal Reasoning across Commercial Disputes’ is ultimately a body of comprehensive empirical research”, concluding “it has the potential to have a major impact on how we understand and shape the rule of law.”

To view the Journal click here

Arbitra is pleased to share that our member, Russell Thirgood, will be taking part in the Philippines Institute of Arbitration / Regional Arbitral Institutes Forum webinar series on “A Comparative Rev

Arbitra is pleased to share that our member, Russell Thirgood, will be taking part in the Philippines Institute of Arbitration / Regional Arbitral Institutes Forum webinar series on “A Comparative Review of Key Points in Arbitration.”

In the third part of a four-part series, Russell will be speaking on the development of Australian arbitration on 29 October 2021.

Part 1 featured the Philippines and Singapore and had more than 200 attendees.

For Part 2, the spotlight will be on Thailand and Malaysia. That webinar is scheduled for 26 August 2021, Thursday, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm Manila/SG/HK time.

Anthony Lo Surdo SC details the essential considerations you should bear in mind when choosing a mediator

With mediation increasingly in the headlines as a means for clients to resolve their disputes, Anthony Lo Surdo SC details the essential considerations you should bear in mind when choosing a mediator – and dispels some common misconceptions—published initially by Legalwise Seminars in February 2021.

Read the full article here 

Calvin Hamilton is featured in a recent member profile for the Chartered Institute of Arbitration’s eSolver Newsletter and the CIArb website

Arbitra is pleased to report that Calvin Hamilton is featured in a recent member profile for the Chartered Institute of Arbitration's eSolver Newsletter and the CIArb website. In his profile, Calvin gives insights into his distinguished career and his achievements as an arbitrator. He offers his hopes for developing arbitration in the Caribbean and Latin America, both in Barbados and the wider region, both in terms of its rich future potential and current initiatives. 

Read the full interview here

Anthony Lo Surdo SC has been accredited as a mediator by the Mediator Accrediting Council of Papua New Guinea

Arbitra congratulates founding member Anthony Lo Surdo SC on being accredited as a mediator by the Mediator Accrediting Council of Papua New Guinea. In recognition of his experience and depth of knowledge of mediation, Anthony has also been accredited as a coach and instructor for the advanced mediation skills training of fully accredited mediators in PNG. This follows his appointment late last year as an International and Domestic Arbitrator and inclusion in the National Court of PNG List of Approved Arbitrators.

Congratulations to Anthony Lo Surdo SC, and Russell Thirgood; they have been named in Doyle’s Guide 2021

Congratulations to Anthony Lo Surdo SC, and Russell Thirgood; they have been named in Doyle's Guide to the leading members of the Bar, and lawyers, in #internationalarbitration.

 

Law 360 - New Arbitrator Services Firm Launches In London and D.C.

A new management service for arbitrators has opened in London and Washington, D.C., amid an expected demand for dispute resolution services as the global economy emerges from the coronavirus pandemic. Read the full article here

CDR - Arbitration services provider launches in US and UK

A new company which provides management services to independent arbitrators has been launched in in London and Washington, seeking to capitalise on the post-Covid disputes boom. The full article is available to read here

The Global Legal Post - Arbitration services group opens for business in London and Washington DC

A management support service for arbitrators with 18 practitioners on its books has opened its doors in London and Washington DC. Read the full article by The Global Legal Post here

Hewetson & Co 60 seconds with Owen Lawrence - Chief Executive at Arbitra

The full interview is available here