ICC-CEDR-WIPO Mediation Conference

31 May 2023

Abu Dhabi English
Start: 12:30 (GST) | 10:30 (CEST) || End: 17:30 (GST) | 15:30 (CEST)

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) along with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) are co-organising a Mediation Conference at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), in Abu Dhabi on 31 May 2023. 

During this conference, panellists including ICC, CEDR, and WIPO representatives will delve into the process and the framework of mediation to share with the audience practical insights and the main features of this process for an efficient dispute resolution. The interplay between mediation and other means of dispute resolution will be discussed and, on that occasion, the first panel will draw on the new ICC Commission Report conclusions on the combined use of arbitration and ADR.

Recent mediation developments in the UAE and the region in terms of governmental and legislative initiatives will be explored on the second panel to reflect the increased interest in mediation regionally. Finally, the last session will explore to what extent mediation can effectively be used to resolve business disputes in particular sectors important to the UAE and the region including mega-infrastructure, energy, and intellectual property-related disputes. 

*Abu Dhabi Time Zone

12:30-13:00

Registration

13:00-13:15

Welcoming address and introduction

  • Linda Fitz-Alan, Registrar and Chief Executive of Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts, Abu Dhabi

13:15-14:30

Panel 1- Deconstructing the mediation process: Why, How, Who.

-      Why? Mediation vs Adjudication

  • Discuss how mediation complements other dispute resolution means and is not necessarily in competition with arbitration etc.
  • Draw on the ICC Commission Report conclusions "Recommendations for Businesses and their External Counsel"

-      How? Overview of the framework

  • How to conduct the process to build a trusting rapport with the parties

-      Who? The mediator’s skills

  • James South, Chief Executive, CEDR, London
  • Alya Ladjimi, Manager, ICC International Centre for ADR
  • Aisha Nadar, Advokatfirman Runeland, Vice Chair, ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, Sweden
  • Chaira Accornero, Legal Officer, IP Disputes Section, WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, Geneva

14:30-15:00

Coffee Break

15:00-16:00

Panel 2-Mediation Developments in the UAE and the Region: the state of the Land

-      The UAE Mediation Law

-      What’s happening in the neighbourhood?

-      The Singapore Mediation Convention: What Prospects in the Middle East?

  • Wolf von Kumberg, Managing Director GRS Ltd, Member, Arbitrator, Abu Dhab
  • Paula Marie Young, Former Qatar University College of Law full professor, international dispute resolution expert, Kentucky
  • Christine Maksoud, Senior Associate, Al Tamimi & Company, Dubai
  • Shaun Henriques, Attorney-at-law, International Mediator & Arbitrator, Dubai

16:00-17:15

Effective use of Mediation in the Region:

-      Mega infrastructure projects, the energy transition, renewable energy and dispute risks

Construction and infrastructure projects in the region are increasing in importance, yet mediation is little used in this field. We will explore how to effectively combine mediation with other ADR techniques. The energy transition to sustainable forms of energy will have a huge impact on the region and globally. How can mediation be used as an effective tool to navigate the disputes arising from this sector.

-      AI and technology-related disputes

How mediation can be an effective means to resolve the new emerging types of disputes in the era of the 4th industrial revolution. AI is reshaping the new types of IP disputes likely to emerge in the future. This section will discuss the impact of AI and how it is disrupting some of the foundations of IP law (inventorship and ownership in AI-generated works etc.)

  • Dania Fahs, Director, Arbitration and ADR, Middle-East, ICC Dispute Resolution Services
  • Ute Quinn, General Counsel, DNO ASA, Dubai
  • Chiara Accornero, Legal Officer, IP Disputes Section, WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, Geneva
  • Alex Bevan, Global International Arbitration Practice Group Leader and Head of the Abu Dhabi office, Shearman & Sterling, Abu Dhabi
  • Antonia Birt, Partner, and Arbitrator, Reed Smith LLP, Dubai
  • Stephanie Berland, Attorney-at-law, Partner, Steering Legal Paris, Paris
  • Ahmad Saleh, Partner, Head of Innovation, Patents & Industrial Property, Al Tamimi & Company, Dubai

17:15 – 17:30

Closing Remarks

 17:30-19:30

Networking Event

Alex Bevan

Global International Arbitration Practice Group Leader and Head of the Abu Dhabi office, Shearman & Sterling, Abu Dhabi

Stephanie Berland

Attorney-at-law, Partner, Steering Legal Paris, Paris

Antonia Birt

Partner and Arbitrator, Reed Smith LLP, Dubai

Dania Fahs

Director, Arbitration and ADR, Middle-East, ICC Dispute Resolution Services

Linda Fitz-Alan,

Registrar and Chief Executive of Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts, Abu Dhabi

Shaun Henriques

Attorney-at-law, International Mediator & Arbitrator, Abu Dhabi

Wolf Von Kumberg

Managing Director GRS Ltd, Member, Arbitrator, Abu Dhabi

Alya Ladjimi

Manager, ICC International Centre for ADR

Christine Maksoud

Senior Associate, Al Tamimi & Company, Dubai

Aisha Nadar

Advokatfirman Runeland, Vice Chair, ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, Sweden

Ute Quinn

General Counsel, DNO ASA, Dubai

Ahmad Saleh

Partner, Head of Innovation, Patents & Industrial Property, Al Tamimi & Company, Dubai

James South

Chief Executive, CEDR, London

Paula Marie Young

Former Qatar University College of Law full professor, international dispute resolution expert, Kentucky

Venue

ADGM Academy, Room 7, Al Maqam Tower, Al Mariyah Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Working language English
Price Free of charge

For further information, please contact:

Safa Abdullahi

Assistant, Arbitration and ADR, Middle-East, ICC Dispute Resolution Services

00971-55-7499400

safa.abdullahi@iccwbo.org

Organiser

ICC Court Centenary

Co-organiser

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