ArbDB Chambers Member, Steffen Pedersen, has joined the UNUM Transport Arbitration and Mediation Panel of Arbitrators https://unum.world/arbitration/

Steffen has been welcomed onto this Panel of Arbitrators, with UNUM saying that he “brings deep expertise in maritime law and a global perspective shaped by a career across Asia, Europe and the US”.

Steffen’s availability for arbitration and mediation appointments may be ascertained by contacting the Clerk to ArbDB Chambers, Martin Poulter, at martin.poulter@arbdb.com or on tel: +44 (0)203 514 9020.

ArbDB Chambers Member, Marieke Witkamp, has continued to be included in the Panels of Arbitrators of leading institutions around the world, to add to her growing and successful arbitration practice.

Having already been included on the Panels of Arbitrators of the Netherlands Arbitration Institute and the American Arbitration Association (AAA), Mareike has recently joined the Energy Panel of the AAA.

Marieke’s availability for arbitration appointments may be ascertained by contacting the Clerk to ArbDB Chambers, Martin Poulter, on martin.poulter@arbdb.com and tel: +44 (0)203 514 9020.

https://www.arbdb.com/marieke-witkamp 

https://reg.eventnook.com/event/scmaconf2025

Leading Maritime Arbitrator and Mediator and ArbDB Chambers Member, Peter McQueen, spoke at this event in Singapore on 25 March 2025. The theme of the Conference was “Charting the Future of Maritime Arbitration in a Fast-Changing & Complex World- Geopolitics, Innovation & Sustainability”.

Peter’s topic was devoted to Artificial Intelligence and the session was entitled “Innovations in Maritime Arbitration- Towards a digitalises and (cyber) secure future”. The other contributors included Allen & Gledhill Partner and Vice Chair of the SCMA, Corina Song.

ArbDB Chambers Member, John Abbott has been reconfirmed as an Arbitrator with the Private Arbitration Court.

This is a collaboration between Hunt ADR and the Barrister Group, to provide arbitration as the preferred method for resolving commercial disputes.

ArbDB Chambers Members already work with the Barrister Group Mediation

https://thebarristergroup.co.uk/mediation

Paul Rose, Chartered Surveyor, Chartered Arbitrator, Accredited Mediator and Member of ArbDB Chambers is speaking at this Conference - the subject is “Constructive Collaboration”.

This will be during Session 3 and Paul will talk on “Cost Effective Dispute Resolution in Construction Projects”. This Session being moderated by Sr Isacc Sunder Rajan”.

Further details are here https://cdn.ymaws.com/cbuilde.com/resource/resmgr/malaysia/2025/brochured10_compressed.pdf

RIDW 2025 - 2nd Annual Gulf Mediation Roundtable – as part of the Disputes Board section

https://ridw.org/event/2nd-annual-gulf-mediation-roundtable-and-legal-networking-luncheon

RIDW 2025 - “Prevention is better than cure”

https://ridw.org/event/prevention-is-better-than-cure-dispute-avoidance-and-adr-best-practice-in-ppp-construction-and-real-estate-development-projects-with-the-support-of-ai.

Robert Sliwinski, Chair of the CIArb UAE Branch and ArbDB Chambers Member, has highlighted the significance of an upcoming seminar hosted by the CIArb UAE Branch and Young Members Group. The event, titled "Arbitrating in the MENA: Lessons from Practice," will take place on 30th January 2025 at the Capital Club DIFC, Dubai.

The breakfast seminar will explore pressing topics in MENA arbitration, including freezone arbitration, public policy, construction disputes, and the role of expert witnesses. Distinguished speakers include Nayla Comair-Obeid, Soraya Corm-Bakhos, and other leading professionals in the field. 

The event is supported by sponsors such as Obeid & Partners, Ibrahim ADR, and HKA.

For registration, contact Mw Jinky Col Long at jc_ciarb@yahoo.com

Michael Cover has acted as the Mediator in the Final of this excellent competition in Hong Kong. 18 teams from Universities around Asia took part and the Winners were the team from the National University of Singapore, who are pictured. They will go on to the ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition in Paris in the Spring of 2025.

Michael commented:

“It was a privilege to act as the Mediator in the Final, as well as judging and mediating in the Preliminary Rounds. We wish the Winning Team every success in Paris”.

ArbDB Chambers Member, Michael Cover, took part in this Conference at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, organised by the estimable Dr Christopher To and colleagues.

Stanley Lo of Deacons moderated the Panel “Roles and Attributes expected of Mediator and whether accreditation/ certification is essential”, of which Michael was part.

Michael commented:

“It was a privilege to be invited to participate in this Conference. Much is happening in the East Asia Region on Mediation, which is good to see.”

ArbDB Chambers, the leading international chambers of third-party neutrals, with members in UK, UAE, Singapore and Australia, is delighted to announce that John Abbott has accepted an invitation to join Chambers from the 1st November 2024.

John was a partner at Laytons ETL and is a highly experienced dispute resolution lawyer. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and an accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator.

He accepts appointments as Arbitrator and Mediator and will now be practising as a full time independent third-party neutral through ArbDB Chambers.

Tony Marks, the Chair of ArbDB Chambers, commented:

“We are delighted to welcome John Abbott as a Member of ArbDB Chambers. He is a first-class practitioner and we look forward to working with him to further develop his third party neutral practice.”

John Abbott can be contacted for appointments through the Clerk to ArbDB Chambers, Martin Poulter martin.poulter@arbdb.com and tel +44 (0)203 514 9020.