CIArb Introduction to Arbitration course in Yangon, Myanmar

On 13 and 14 February 2019, 80 participants were trained on the CIArb Introduction to Arbitration (ITA) course in Yangon, Myanmar. The course director was Francis Xavier FCIArb SC, CIArb Deputy President. He was joined by faculty members Camilla Godman FCIArb, Mary Thomson FCIArb and Robert Pe FCIArb.

The course was supported by UMFCCI and held at its premises in central Yangon. This was the third CIArb ITA course delivered in Yangon with UMFCCI.

Minn Naing Oo FCIArb, Managing Director of Allen & Gledhill (Myanmar) delivered a special session after the course on Myanmar arbitration law. CIArb membership in Myanmar is now growing fast and Minn Naing Oo heads the CIArb Myanmar chapter.

Francis Xavier commented:

“It was apparent to the teaching team that there is a great demand for arbitration training in Myanmar. The participants hailed from diverse backgrounds; law lecturers, students, in-house lawyers and all levels of practitioners. With the modernisation of its domestic laws and the rise in inward FDI, arbitration practice is bound to rise in Myanmar”.

Minn Naing Oo commented:

“As Myanmar develops economically, arbitration will become an important dispute resolution mechanism for both domestic and international investors. The red for arbitrators and lawyers will grow as a result. Training such as this conducted by CIArb is invaluable in helping Myanmar develop the expertise required”.

UMFCCI is increasing its capacity in the arbitration field and is intending to open an arbitration centre in the near future. CIArb will continue to work with UMFCCI to train arbitrators for the future development of Myanmar arbitration.

Myanmar’s parliament enacted the Arbitration Law (Union Parliament Act No. 5 of 2016) on 5 January 2016. Accordingly, Myanmar gave effect to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, to which Myanmar acceded on 16 April 2013.