A conference on arbitrator independence that will bring together former Secretaries General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and feature a mock ICC Court Plenary Session will be held on 4 June 2010.

The former Secretaries General will discuss the history and development of the ICC Rules and practice with respect to the requirement that all arbitrators in ICC Arbitration proceedings be totally independent.

The one-day seminar to be held at ICC headquarters in Paris will be of particular interest to all professionals involved in international trade and dispute resolution, including lawyers, arbitrators, magistrates, academics and corporate counsel.

“This is a unique opportunity to get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes at a plenary session of the ICC International Court of Arbitration,” said Jason Fry, Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, who will play his own role during the mock session.

“In view of the current revision of the ICC Rules of Arbitration, former Secretaries General will discuss the history and development of the Rules, notably the issue of arbitrators' disclosure obligations,” Mr Fry added.

The discussion will also focus on how the ICC Court evaluates objections to party-nominated arbitrators in deciding whether to confirm the named arbitrator.The mock plenary court session in the afternoon will decide challenges to arbitrators serving in ICC cases. Chaired by John Beechey, Chairman of the ICC Court, current members of the Court from around the world will participate in the session.

The mock session will be followed by a discussion on what happens after an institution rejects a challenge to an arbitrator and one of the parties in the case later raises it as a defense against enforcing a Court decision.

“This conference will provide all those involved in international arbitration with a unique opportunity to gain or perfect their understanding of issues of arbitrator independence and impartiality, both from a theoretical and a practical perspective,” said Salim Moollan, Vice-President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration.

“In particular, it will allow participants a rare insight into the workings and practice of the ICC Court in the field, and they will be able to hear the views of former Secretary Generals of the ICC Court, moderated by the present Secretary General,” he added.

A special early bird rate is available until 23 April.

For a copy of the programme and to register on-line, please click here 

For further information, please contact:

Katharine Bernet
ICC Events
Tel: +331 49 532891
Click here to email