Develop Australia as a leader in International Arbitration

The Australian Bar Association (ABA) and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Australia) are delighted to announce the launch of a memorandum of understanding aimed at advancing arbitration and mediation work opportunities for Australian counsel internationally as well as developing a more unified local dispute resolution profession.

The MoU encourages the joint promotion and advancement of international arbitration, mediation and alternative dispute resolution methods by Australian counsel to the global market.  Their ability to provide early advice, first class advocacy and negotiation skills and their expert knowledge of the Australian and regional legal systems place them in a unique position of being able to conduct all forms of domestic and international arbitrations as well as other dispute resolution methods. 

The MoU was launched by the Hon.  James Allsop AO, Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia at the Federal Court in Melbourne, who expressed that the agreement is a significant step in a strategic alliance to promote the dispute resolution services of these organisations to the global market.

President of the ABA, Mr Noel Hutley SC said: “The ABA is committed to identifying and promoting opportunities for the involvement of Australian counsel in international jurisdictions.  That process is not limited to Australian counsel working abroad, whether it be as counsel, arbitrators or mediators, but extends to promoting internationally, the undoubted skills and competence of Australian counsel and the Australian judiciary.”

Noting the ABA is delighted to partner with the CIArb Australia, Mr Hutley said: “The CIArb rightly prides itself on being a truly global network, with over 16,000 members working in sectors as diverse as finance, construction, oil and gas and agriculture in over 130 countries worldwide.” 

“In addition to providing education, training and accreditation for arbitrators, mediators and adjudicators, the CIArb acts as an international centre for practitioners, policymakers, academics and business executives.” 

“Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the ABA looks forward to working with  CIArb Australia to advance arbitration work opportunities for Australian barristers.” 

Caroline Kenny QC, President of  CIArb Australia said “CIArb is very pleased to partner with the Australian Bar Association, the peak body of Australian barristers. In signing this agreement we both recognise the importance of developing opportunities for our members in the ADR space, especially in the growing arbitration hubs of Asia.” 

“CIArb brings to the partnership over 100 years experience in providing the gold standard in training a global accreditation of international arbitrators and a worldwide membership.”

For further details, contact:

Cindy Penrose, Chief Executive Officer Gianna Totaro, Chief Executive Officer
Australian Bar Association CIArb Australia
E: ceo@austabr.asn.au
E: info@ciarb.net.au
M: 0420 309 420
M: 0438 337 328

Statement:

MOU NOTES

Chief Justice, Your Honours, Ladies and Gentlemen.  As President of CIArb Australia I am delighted to welcome you to the launch of the MOU between CIArb Australia and the  Australian Bar Association.   

This agreement is a significant step in a strategic alliance to promote the dispute resolution services of both our memberships to the global market.  

The agreement encourages the joint promotion and advancement of international arbitration, mediation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in a number of ways including:

1. By investigating and engaging in joint activities of interest to our members, such as conferences and seminars;
2. By exchanging publications and establishing electronic links between the two organisations; and
3. By developing arbitration, mediation or other alternative dispute resolution education programs.

CIArb is very pleased to partner with the Australian Bar Association, the peak body of Australian barristers. Like the ABA, CIArb has a long and venerable history.  As the world’s oldest established arbitration association, CIArb brings to the partnership the gold standard in training and a globally recognised accreditation of arbitrators.

In signing this agreement we both recognise the importance of developing opportunities for our members in the ADR space. While CIArb Australia works diligently to promote Australia as an arbitration seat we also recognise the need to engage with our Asian neighbours who have a jump start on us in that space.

To that end CIArb has developed a number of initiatives to ensure that Australian arbitration practitioners have opportunities to promote themselves in Asia. We have a JV with the Hong Kong and Singapore branches of CIArb to rotate our flagship course, the diploma course, in the three countries and this year it will be held in Perth In July.  We have also entered into an agreement with the Hong Kong and Singapore branches to put on annual CIArb conference which will again provide opportunities for our members both as delegates and speakers.

The Institute has come a long way since it was established in 1915 in London as a small association to the global network of 16000 members which it now is.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank Chief Justice Allsop for permitting us to launch the agreement in the Federal Court.   I would also like to acknowledge justice Clye Croft and thank him and Chief Justice Allsop for the many hours they have given to CIArb activities including attending our courses on the weekends to share their knowledge and experience.

We look forward to collaborating with the ABA in further advancing Australia’s position in the global dispute resolution market.