Ethics roulette – Placing bets on integrity in arbitration

In arbitration, where integrity is paramount, issues go beyond the conventional boundaries of legal discourse to encompass the human dimensions that shape the very core of proceedings. Ethical responsibilities are integral to legitimacy and success, as much as legal protocols.

Join the speakers in this interactive panel discussion which aims to delve beyond the surface to untangle the intricate threads that weave through arbitrators' and counsels' ethical responsibilities. The panellists will touch upon, among others, the recent case of The Federal Republic of Nigeria v Process & Industrial Developments Limited [2023] EWHC 2638 (Comm) where the English Court upheld a challenge to an US$11 billion arbitration award against Nigeria on grounds that it was obtained fraudulently and “only by practising the most severe abuses of the arbitral process”, contrary to public policy. 

What lessons can be drawn in addressing ethical dilemmas while advancing the interests of their respective parties? To what extent are arbitrators responsible for placing safeguards against unethical conduct? A panel featuring an IBA speaker, seasoned arbitration practitioner, and a representative from ICC International Court of Arbitration, will take a deep dive into the core principles that uphold the credibility of arbitration.

The session will take place on the sidelines of 25^th Annual IBA Arbitration Day at Maxwell Chambers and is generously hosted by Allen and Overy.