23 Oct Belt & Road (BR) Dispute Resolution and ADR’ at the IDRA Masterclass 2017

Thanking the wonders of technology this morning. Commitments back at the KLRCA unfortunately meant not being able to be in Beijing physically to deliver my presentation, ‘Belt & Road (BR) Dispute Resolution and ADR’ at the IDRA Masterclass 2017. The aid of video streaming made it possible. Although still in its early stages, China’s BR Initiative is transforming Asia and beyond, currently covering 69 economies across three continents, about 65% of the world’s population and one-third of the world’s GDP. There is a need for a unique ADR mechanism for BR disputes given its complexities. Having an arbitration system which is cost and time effective – settles disputes effectively and aids in overcoming legal risks.   Success requires uniformity and cooperation between all the different cultures touched by the Belt itself. This requires simultaneous growth of arbitral regimes (the practitioners, institutions and courts) in all regions. With this in mind, the KLRCA intends to champion a unified regimen of arbitration across the BR region. This long-term goal can be achieved via; converging the Model Law & NY Convention, harmonisation between internationalism and regionalism, and bilateral and mutual judicial assistance arrangements between BR states and increased judicial quality.