Beijing to open to foreign arbitral institutions

14 September, 2020
On 7 September 2020, the State Council of China published a policy paper on opening up the services sector in Beijing (“Work Plan for Deepening Comprehensive Pilot and New Round of Opening-Up of Services Sectors in Beijing and Building Comprehensive Demonstrative Area of Opening-up of State Services Sectors” or《深化北京市新一轮服务业扩大开放综合试点建设国家服务业扩大开放综合示范区工作方案》). The paper announces  that foreign arbitral … Read more

2019 STATISTICS SHOW A “RECORD YEAR” FOR THE ICC

30 July, 2020
The ICC has recently published statistics for 2019, hailing it as a “record year”. 2019 saw a total of 869 cases registered (of which 851 were under the ICC Arbitration Rules). This is the second highest number of cases registered in the ICC’s history, with only 2016 having a larger caseload (966 cases). The statistics … Read more

COEXISTING WITH COVID-19: A CATALYST FOR PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION?

16 July, 2020
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, infection rates in many countries are starting to fall, and businesses and governments alike are seeking to establish a “new normal” recognising that the virus will be present in society for some time yet. Other countries still face climbing numbers and a peak yet to come. For all, the prospect … Read more

LAUNCH OF PROTOCOL ON ONLINE CASE MANAGEMENT IN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION, BY A CROSS-FIRM WORKING GROUP ESTABLISHED AND CHAIRED BY HSF

09 July, 2020
In recent years, international arbitration has been changing to keep pace with new technologies and the trend towards digital. This trend is further accelerating in the wake of COVID-19, and a crucial aspect of the transition to a fully online process in international arbitration lies in the use of robust and secure online case management … Read more

Arbitration Foundation of South Africa (AFSA) launches new arbitration rules for public consultation

02 July, 2020
On Wednesday, 1 July 2020, the Arbitration Foundation of South Africa (AFSA), launched its new International Arbitration Rules for public comment. The international Drafting Committee was chaired by Professor Dr. Maxi Scherer and included other high profile individuals including Ndanga Kamau, Jennifer Kirby, Lise Bosman, Chiann Bao, Remy Gerbay and Jonathan Ripley-Evans (Director, HSF Johannesburg). … Read more

GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES PILOT SCHEME ON FACILITATION FOR PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN ARBITRAL PROCEEDINGS IN HONG KONG

02 July, 2020
On 29 June 2020, the Hong Kong Government launched a Pilot Scheme on Facilitation for Persons Participating in Arbitral Proceedings in Hong Kong. Under this Scheme, arbitrators, expert and factual witnesses, counsel, and parties to the arbitration (Eligible Persons) can participate in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong as visitors without needing an employment visa, as … Read more