Caroline Kenny QC awarded Chartered Arbitrator status

CIArb Australia President, Caroline Kenny QC has been awarded Chartered Arbitrator status, the only woman in Australia to currently hold the prestigious rank which carries global recognition. An experienced international arbitrator and barrister, her ruling on jurisdiction was upheld by the Singapore High Court and led to new a law on an arbitrator’s right to determine jurisdiction even when the validity of the arbitration agreement was in dispute: Malini Ventura v Knight Capital Pte Ltd [2015] SGHC

Caroline Kenny QC said: “I am delighted and honoured to join the rank of Chartered Arbitrators. The Institute has been the market leader in the teaching and practice of arbitration for more than 100 years and its influence around the globe continues to grow. The Australian branch is proud of its efforts to promote the benefits of arbitration and with the help of headquarters in London has assisted Australia to take its rightful place in the Asia Pacific region as a centre for excellence in international arbitration.”

As reported by Austrade in 2018, international commercial arbitration is a vital part of doing business in the global economy, and effectively manages commercial relationships and risk.

The past decade has seen an increase in the use of the process, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. This is largely due to the significant growth of the Australian and Asian economies and their increased participation in global commerce.

In March 2019, Australia and Indonesia signed the Australia-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Australia and Hong Kong signed the Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (A-HKFTA). Both agreements make references to international arbitration.

Ms Kenny who has been appointed arbitrator to panels in China, America, Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia amplifies Austrade’s findings.

Ms Kenny said: “International arbitration is increasingly the process of choice for global enterprises, be they commercial or state, to resolve disputes and mitigate risk. The Australian branch will continue to promote the benefits of international arbitration and Australia as a business dispute resolution destination.”

It is worth mentioning that, a Chartered Arbitrator is a Fellow of CIArb who has demonstrated to a peer interview panel an advanced knowledge and understanding of arbitration and its practical application, evidencing a professional approach to parties. To become a Chartered Arbitrator a candidate has to be an existing Fellow of CIArb through the arbitration route and pass a Chartered Arbitrator peer interview.

To learn more about how to become a Chartered Arbitrator, please follow the link below:

https://www.ciarb.org/membership/membership-types/chartered-arbitrator/