New York, N.Y., April 9, 2008 – Arbitration is increasingly regarded as the preferred way to resolve cross-border business disputes. To help lawyers and business executives better understand the ins and outs of this fast-growing field, the ICC International Court of Arbitration, the world’s best-known arbitral institution, will host a two-day workshop
in Montreal, Canada on international dispute resolution, May 1 and 2 at McGill University.
The court is part of the International Chamber of Commerce, the world business body that has been in the forefront of cross-border dispute resolution since 1923. Designed to provide a better understanding of ICC arbitration and other dispute resolution services, the workshop will showcase practical strategies and tactics for those involved in international arbitration.
Participation from across North America is sought. The workshop will be presented in cooperation with the United States Council for International Business USCIB and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, ICC’s national committees in each country. A welcoming reception for all participants will be held the evening of April 30.
“This is only the second two-day workshop ICC has ever organized in North America, which makes it an event not to be missed,” said J.L. McDougall of Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP, who chairs the Canadian Chamber’s Arbitration Committee. “It is designed to appeal to anyone involved in international arbitration and dispute resolution, including practicing lawyers, corporate counsel, judges, and business people involved in international trade and dispute resolution.”
The hands-on workshop will feature current and former members of the ICC court, practicing arbitrators and representatives of the Court’s Paris-based international secretariat. It is part of continuing effort by Josefa Sicard-Mirabal, ICC’s director of arbitration and ADR for North America, to expand the court‘s educational programming across the United States and Canada.
“The interactivity of this workshop really sets it apart,” according to Ms. Sicard-Mirabal. She said a highlight of the conference will be a mock case, studied with small working groups where participants will take part in a step-by-step examination of the arbitration process.
Since its founding in 1923, the ICC International Court of Arbitration has handled over 15,000 cases. In 2006, almost 600 cases were filed, involving parties in over 100 countries and independent territories. The court itself has an exceptionally broad representation, comprising members from 86 countries. Over the years, ICC has developed a full range of other dispute resolution rules in addition to arbitration to meet the latest international commercial challenges.
A brochure and registration form for the workshop is available at: www.uscib.org/docs/ICC_Arbitration_Montreal_Program.pdf.
The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) is ICC’s American national committee. As American affiliate of the leading international business and employers organizations, including ICC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade. USCIB’s Arbitration Committee serves as the contact point for the ICC International Court of Arbitration and its multi-faceted dispute resolution services. More information is available at www.uscib.org.
Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, USCIB
(212) 703-5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org
