Title of webinar: “No Trust, No Capital - Arbitration as the Backbone of Bali’s Financial Hub” - Thursday 19th November 2026 ArbDB Chambers Member, Professor Stephen Hibbert is to speak on this webinar on Thursday 19 November 2026 organised by the rapidly developing BIAMC. This will be a webinar, and the registration details can be found here: https://form.jotform.com/262491801607053 BIAMC is also here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bali-international-arbitration-and-mediation-center Stephen can be contacted for appointments as arbitrator or mediator through the Clerk to ArbDB Chambers, Martin Poulter: martin.poulter@arbdb.com and tel: +44 (0)203 514 9020

Here are Stephen’s reflections: There were three sessions: the first was a panel discussion addressing the potential fracturing of international arbitration from the challenges of sanctions, armed conflict, investment screening, economic fragmentation and technological competition - with resulting issues for tribunal neutrality, payment of fees, public policy arguments affecting award enforceability, and for procedural efficiency. The panel examined how courts, arbitral institutions and practitioners across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific have been responding to these developments. A second panel discussion addressed how geopolitical risk for international business is making companies rethink how they manage disputes across jurisdictions. Legal departments are increasingly balancing legal risk with commercial priorities while responding to sanctions, regulatory divergence, supply chain disruption and emerging technologies. In-house lawyers from oil and mining companies were on the panel and gave fascinating insights into their work in these areas. The highlight of the conference was an address by Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice in England and Wales. His topic was machine-based decisions and the approach likely to be taken by differing jurisdictions. He told the audience to look at the horizon. Machine-based decisions are coming and were already here, citing eBay’s use of machine-based decisions for its consumer disputes. Sir Geoffrey cited his recent visit to China and how hundreds of thousands of civil decisions are made by judges using AI, stating - ‘8. I .. visited the Shenzhen Intermediate Peoples’ Court in September 2026. There, an AI-powered platform has been developed that allows AI to assist the judge by distilling the important points to be derived from the evidence, listing the issues that the machine thinks need to be decided in order to determine the case, and providing drafts of the reasons and order that the judge might want to provide to explain and encapsulate their decision. One judge told us that she could, using the system, do 6 cases in the time she had previously taken to do one. 9. After my visit, the Shenzhen judges provided me with a copy of their White Paper describing the system they are using. Let me be clear, the system is remarkable. First, it is a single system for all types of civil case, which is something I had always thought would be difficult to achieve. Secondly, it is based on entirely digital machine-readable files that include every aspect of each case and access to relevant legal materials. Thirdly, it provides the judge with the opportunity to refer quickly to the originals of all those materials. Fourthly, it provides, the judges say, for both data security and hallucination protections.’ Theses quotes are from the speech as also delivered by Sir Geoffrey at the Legal Geek conference Speech by the Master of the Rolls: Legal Geek Conference - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary It’s a compelling read …. Stephen Bate https://www.judiciary.uk/speech-by-the-master-of-the-rolls-legal-geek-conference/ Stephen can be contacted for appointments as arbitrator or mediator through the Clerk to ArbDB Chambers, Martin Poulter, martin.poulter@arbdb.com and tel: +44 (0)203 514 9020

Members of ArbDB Chambers will be attending Dubai Arbitration Week taking place between 9th November - 13th November 2026 ArbDB Chambers is delighted to be sponsoring the DALDS Dinner taking place on Tuesday 10th November. We look forward to seeing our many friends and contacts in Dubai during the week. If you wish to make arrangements for meetings in advance, please contact Martin Poulter, Clerk to Chambers: martin.poulter@arbdb.com

ArbDB Chambers Members, Julia Sullivan and Michael Cover, are both involved in this forthcoming Course https://www.ciarbnab.com/training/applied-arbitration-fellows-brochure.pdf , as part of the distinguished Faculty. This Course has previously been offered to rave reviews in Dubai, London, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos and Singapore and is a practical skills development programme for newer arbitrators and those already experienced in dispute resolution. The Course will involve a hypothetical case, from beginning to end. The participants will be divided in small groups. Julia is the Joint Course Director, along with Marion Smith KC, and Michael is one of the Chartered Arbitrators on the Faculty. Booking is now open for this excellent Course and Julia and Michael look forward to seeing you in Houston. You can book via the link.

ArbDB Chambers, a leading international chambers of third party neutrals, is delighted to announce that Geoff Farnsworth has accepted an invitation to join Chambers www.arbdb.com International commercial arbitrator, Geoff Farnsworth, is a lawyer, qualified in England and Wales, and Australia and the current President of the Australia Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). He is also a Supporting Member of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) and the Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group (HKMAG). He is a FCIArb and a Fellow of the ACICA. Geoff is experienced as arbitrator in maritime and international trade disputes, involving charterparties, cargo claims and marine insurance. He is also experienced in commodities and trade disputes and GAFTA arbitrations in particular. He is on the arbitration panels of the SIAC, HKIAC SCMA, MLAANZ, GAFTA and Grain Trade Australia and a member of LCIA. Geof will now be practising as an Independent Third Party Neutral through ArbDB Chambers. Michael Cover, Founder Member of ArbDB Chambers, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Geoff Farnsworth as a Member of ArbDB Chambers. His experience and expertise in commodities and maritime disputes is a really good fit with our existing practices in the sector. We look forward to working with Geoff further to develop his arbitration practice and the overall business of ArbDB Chambers around the world” Geoff can be contacted for appointments as arbitrator through the Clerk to ArbDB Chambers, Martin Poulter, martin.poulter@arbdb.com and tel: +44 (0)203 514 9020. September 2026

ArbDB Chambers Member, Mark Appel, is to moderate a Panel at the Tulane Future of Energy Forum 2026 https://energyforum.tulane.edu Mark will lead a distinguished Panel, comprising: Chloe Baldwin, Deputy Practice Leader, International Disputes, at Steptoe LLP, Hon Sonya Savage, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and former Energy Minister of Alberta, Canada; and Tom Sikora, Senior Counsel, International Disputes, ExxonMobil. Mark commented: “We will be looking at the increasingly important subject of Dispute Prevention and Mitigation in the Energy sector, why it's important and how to get it right." . For enquiries as to Mark Appel’s availability for appointments as arbitrator, mediator or DAAB member, please contact the Clerk to ArbDB Chambers, Martin Poulter on martin.poulter@arbdb.com or tel: +44 (0)203 514 9020

ArbDB Chambers Member, Julia Sullivan, is now listed on the DIAC List of Arbitrators. Julia is an experienced international arbitrator, particularly in energy disputes. DIAC is one of the leading dispute centres in the Gulf Co-Operation Council Region for arbitration and mediation. For enquiries about appointments of Julia as arbitrator, please contact the Clerk to ArbDB Chambers, Martin Poulter, on +44 (0)203 514 9020 or martin.poulter@arbdb.com. September 2026

ArbDB Chambers Member, John Abbott, has put this briefing note together on the Reforms in the ICC Arbitration Rules 2026.

On 1 June 2026, the ICC unveiled its most substantial revision of the Arbitration Rules since 2021, marking a decisive shift toward faster, clearer, and more modern arbitral practice. As ArbDB Chambers’ John Abbott notes, the reforms aim to streamline procedure, accelerate timelines, and reinforce the ICC’s position as a leading global arbitral institution. For arbitrations seated in England & Wales, the Rules operate in tandem with the Arbitration Act 1996, maintaining the statutory foundation of fairness, efficiency, and limited court intervention.

The 2026 overhaul centres on five themes: speed, procedural clarity, early filtering of weak claims, stronger interim relief, and greater transparency in arbitrator appointments.

1. Abolition of the Terms of Reference: A Structural Shift

One of the most striking reforms is the removal of the Terms of Reference (TOR). TORs were considered to be a defining feature of ICC arbitration. The Case Management Conference (CMC) is now the procedural anchor of the arbitration. Tribunals must hold the CMC within 30 days of receiving the file, and it becomes the cut-off point for adding new claims or defences.

This change aligns ICC practice with other institutions and reduces early-stage cost and delay. While tribunals may still choose to prepare a TOR voluntarily, parties should now treat the CMC as a hard deadline for crystallising claims, jurisdictional objections, and evidential strategy.

2. Early Determination: A New Summary Disposal Tool

Article 30 introduces a mechanism allowing tribunals to dismiss claims or defences that are manifestly without merit or manifestly outside jurisdiction. This largely mirrors summary dismissal provisions in SIAC and HKIAC rules and complements the tribunal’s duty under s.33 Arbitration Act 1996 to avoid unnecessary delay.

Contrast s.39A of the Arbitration Act, where the threshold— “no real prospect of success”—is arguably higher than that of Art. 30. Early Determination is expected to be used for time-barred claims, clearly non-contractual claims, or abusive pleadings, though tribunals may penalise tactical misuse through costs under s.61.

3. Expedited and Highly Expedited Procedures

The ICC has expanded its fast-track options as follows:

• Expedited Procedure: automatic threshold increased from US$3m to US$4m, but it is possible to opt out.

• Highly Expedited Procedure: a new opt-in mechanism targeting a final award within three months of the CMC, typically with a sole arbitrator and limited submissions.

When drafting an arbitration agreement, consideration should be given to whether the expedited pathways suit the potential disputes which may arise under a commercial agreement.

4. Strengthened Emergency Arbitration Powers

Emergency Arbitration (EA) is significantly reinforcement. Emergency Arbitrators may now issue Preliminary Orders, including ex parte orders, before the main arbitration begins. The Emergency Arbitrator’s Decision must still be delivered within 15 days of appointment.

EA relief complements the court’s powers under s.44 Arbitration Act 1996, though EA orders remain contractual in nature. For coercive enforcement or third-party effects, parties may still have to turn to the High Court.

5. Enhanced Arbitrator Disclosures and Conflict Management

Article 12 expands disclosure obligations and requires parties to provide comprehensive lists of persons and entities relevant to conflict checks. This aligns with ss.23A, 24 and 33 of the Arbitration Act 1996. However, disclosure does not equate to lack of independence, but early and thorough disclosure will enhance conflict management and should reduce the risk of late challenges.

6. Case Management, Evidence, and Hearings

Tribunals retain broad discretion over evidence, including virtual hearings—now firmly embedded in English case law. Under s.34 Arbitration Act 1996, tribunals may decide whether to hold oral hearings, how evidence is presented, and whether to adopt IBA or other rules on evidence.

As always, Tribunals and parties should ensure procedural decisions do not risk challenges.

7. Interim Measures: Reinforced and Integrated

Article 29 and Appendix V reaffirm tribunals’ powers to order interim measures, which is now strengthened by the Emergency Arbitration reforms. Tribunal-ordered measures may require court assistance under s.42 Arbitration Act 1996, and urgent asset preservation may justify parallel applications under s.42.

8. Award Scrutiny and Costs

The ICC Court will continue to scrutinise draft awards, thus reducing the risk of s.68 challenges—for example failures to address all issues that were put to the Tribunal.

Costs remain structured, with tribunals generally applying the “costs follow the event” principle unless party agreement or fairness dictates otherwise.

Conclusion

The 2026 ICC Rules represent a decisive modernisation of ICC arbitration. By removing the TOR, introducing Early Determination, expanding expedited pathways, and strengthening emergency and interim relief, the ICC has created a more agile and efficient framework. For practitioners and parties—particularly those operating under the Arbitration Act 1996—the reforms offer both opportunities and new strategic considerations for parties and their representatives.

A comparison Table showing the old ICC Arbitration Rules against the 2026 Rules is annexed.

John Abbott FCIArb SFBiam

Arbitrator and Mediator

ArbDB Chambers

July 2026

Comparison Table: ICC Arbitration Rules 2021 against the ICC Arbitration Rules 2026

For enquiries as to John’s availability for appointments as arbitrator or mediator, please contact the Clerk to ArbDB Chambers, Martin Poulter, on either tel +44 (0)203 514 9020 or email martin.poulter@arbdb.com

ArbDB Chambers Member, Paul Rose FCIArb, CArb, LLM, conducted this session, organised by the Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution (AIADR) and the Centre for Mediation and Research of Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai. Paul tackled the appointment and constitution of the tribunal, the role, powers and responsibilities arbitrators and challenges to the appointment of arbitrators. The attentive audience consisted of undergraduate law students and post-graduate law students. For enquiries about Paul's availability for appointments as arbitrator or mediator, please contact the Clerk to ArbDB Chambers, Martin Poulter, on tel +44 203 914 9020 or email martin.poulter@arbdb.com

ArbDB Chambers Member, Steffen Pedersen, has joined the LMLN Editorial Team, as Co-Editor of the Arbitration Section of the LMLN, working with Andrea Skeoch and Professor Robert Merkin, who remains Co-Editor in respect of judicial case law. The first newsletter under the Arbitration Co-Editorship of Steffen and Andrea was Issue 1218 published on 14 August 2026 and contained summaries of two important Court decisions on maritime issues, namely on the calculation of the daily hire rate by reference to the freight payable for LNG, rectification and common and unilateral mistake and safe port, liability for vessel damage during discharge. Another Newsletter was published even more recently and deals with an important Court decision on force majeure and whether timely notice of a force majeure event is a condition precedent. ArbDB Chambers commented: "We are delighted that Steffen has joined and has already started working as part of the Lloyds Maritime Law Newsletter Editorial Team and we wish him every success in that role. This also reflects the depth of expertise amongst our Members, particularly in the maritime and related areas, such as energy and deep sea mining." For enquiries about appointments of Steffen as arbitrator or mediator, please contact the Clerk to ArbDB Chambers, Martin Poulter, on tel +44 (0)203 514 9020 or email martin.poulter@arbdb.com.