ICC YAAF/ IBA: Oral Advocacy, Cross Examination and the Emergence of AI in Dispute Resolution

09:00 (GMT+04:00)
16:45 (GMT+04:00)
ClassroomDIFC Academy
English

Join us for an insightful program hosted by the ICC YAAF where distinguished arbitration practitioners will share their expertise on oral advocacy, cross examinaton and emergence of AI in Dispute Resolution. This interactive session will feature four engaging and thought-provoking panel discussions:

  1. Fundamentals of oral advocacy – finding your voice as an advocate
  2. The future of oral argument in an AI-driven world
  3. Mastering cross-examination – uncovering the unsaid
  4. Career development

Participants will gain practical insights into refining their oral advocacy style, strengthening their cross-examination technique, and understanding the evolving role of AI in dispute resolution. This event promises to deliver invaluable wisdom from leading arbitration practitioners in the region and beyond.

This ICC YAAF event is designed to provide participants with:

  1. Insightful Career Lessons: Gain practical knowledge and inspiration from distinguished arbitration professionals.
  2. Practical Strategies: Explore effective strategies for developing strong oral advocacy skills, mastering the art of cross examinations, navigating the practice in the emergence of AI and gaining insights from leading arbitration practitioners on building a successful career.
  3. Interactive Format: Benefit from four engaging panel discussions, allowing for an in-depth and informal exchange of ideas, followed by a Q&A session to interact directly with the speakers.
  4. Professional Growth: Build a foundation on oral advocacy skills, develop the art of cross-examination, and build a successful career in the profession.

Who Should Attend:

  • Young Arbitration Practitioners: Those seeking inspiration and strategies to build their careers in arbitration. 
  • Legal Professionals and Law Students: Individuals interested in understanding the pathway to becoming a successful arbitration counsel and the skills required for excellence in advocacy. 
  • Arbitration Enthusiasts: Professionals eager to learn about the opportunities and challenges within the arbitration counsel practice. 
  • Regional and Global Practitioners: Anyone interested in comparative insights on arbitration practices and professional development for counsel roles. 

Format:

  • Four engaging panel discussions on oral advocacy, the future of oral advocacy in an AI driven world, mastering cross examination and career development.
  • A brief Q&A session after each panel discussion to allow attendees to interact directly with the speakers.
  • Networking opportunities to connect with peers and industry leaders.

Cross-Promotion Opportunities:

Participants are encouraged to also attend related ICC YAAF events during the same period, including workshops and panels focused on regional arbitration challenges and emerging trends.

DIFC Academy

Meera Aldhaheri, Executive Assistant, Arbitration and ADR, Middle-East, ICC Dispute Resolution Services: meera.aldhaheri@iccwbo.org

09:00-09:30 Registration
09:30-09:35

Welcome remarks:

  • Dr. Zeina Obeid, Co-chair IBA Young Lawyers Committee, ICC YAAF Representative, Partner, Obeid & Partners, Dubai, UAE.
09:35-09:45

Introduction to the IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee and ICC YAAF

  • Dr. Zeina Obeid Co-chair IBA Young Lawyers Committee, ICC YAAF Representative, Partner, Obeid & Partners, Dubai, UAE.
09:45-10:00

Keynote speech:

  • Babatunde Ajibade, Co-Chair of IBA SPPI, Ajibade & Co, Managing Partner, Lagos, Nigeria.
10:00-11:15

Panel discussion 1 Fundamentals of oral advocacy – finding your voice as an advocate

Speakers:

  • Amr Omran, Counsel, Freshfields, Dubai, UAE 
  • Arush Khanna, Partner, Numen Law Offices, IBA Special Project Officer, New Delhi, India
  • Salma Nasreldine, ICC YAAF Representative, Senior Associate, Shahid Law Firm, Cairo, Egypt.
  • Serena Salem, Counsel, DLA Piper, Paris, France

Moderated by:

  • Fatima Balfaqeeh, Managing Partner, Balfaqeeh Advocates & Legal Consultants, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
11:15-11:35 Coffee break
11:35-12:20

Panel discussion 2: The future of oral argument in an AI-driven world

Speakers:

  • Rana Sebaly, Associate, White and Case, Dubai, UAE
  • Zeyad Abouellail, Jus Mundi, Paris, France
  • Khushboo Shahdadpuri, Partner, Al-Tamimi, Dubai, UAE 
  • Antonin Sobek, Mayer Brown, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • Letizia Santin, BonelliErede, DIFC, Dubai, UAE

Moderated by:

  • Arno Janssens, UAE National Representative, IBA Young Lawyers' Committee
12:20-13:50 Lunch Break
13:50-15:05

Panel discussion 3 - Mastering cross-examination – uncovering the unsaid

Speakers:

  • Reshma Oogorah, International Arbitrator, Barrister & Solicitor, Niyom Legal, UAE
  • Bachir Sayegh, Counsel, White & Case, Paris, France
  • Sadaff Habib - Equanimity arbitration, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • Julio Rivera Ríos, Partner, Rivera García S.C., co-chair IBA Arb40, Mexico
  • Khurram Khan - Lewis Baach Kaufmann Middlemiss PLLC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Moderated by:

  • Aysha Mutaywea, Founder Mutaywea law, Manama, Bahrain.
15:05-15:20 Coffee break
15:20-16:35

Panel discussion 4 - Career Development

Speakers:

  • Sherif Akl, Director, Arbitration and ADR, Middle-East, ICC Dispute Resolution Services, Abu Dhabi.
  • Dr. Shashwat Bajpai, ICC YAAF South Asia Representative, Founder Partner, DRSB Law Chambers, New Delhi, India
  • Lobna Khater, In-house, Chief Legal Officer & Government Affairs at Edita, Cairo, Egypt
  • Hasan Mandiwalla, Partner, MANDVIWALLA & ZAFAR, Scholarship Officer YLC, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Yasmin Sebah, Senior Lecturer in Law, Middlesex University Dubai, UAE

Moderated by:

  • Dr. Zeina Obeid, Obeid & Partners, Dubai, UAE; Co-Chair, IBA Young Lawyers' Committee, ICC YAAF Representative for MENA.
16:35-16:45

Closing remarks:

  • Karim Nassif, Principal, Nassif Arbitration, Dubai, UAE and
  • Rasem Kamal, Co-Chair IBA Arab Regional Forum
17:00 - 19:00 Cocktail reception | Places are limited - Registration via email: events@kroll.com.

 

At ICC, we believe that through training and mentorship, we can shape the next generation of leading international arbitration and ADR experts. Through the ICC Young Arbitration and ADR Forum (YAAF) network, we are able to better inform, connect and inspire young professionals with interests in dispute resolution and dispute avoidance.

Throughout the world, ICC YAAF organises a number of educational and social events that allow young professionals to discover best practices, discuss topical issues, network and create meaningful connections with experienced practitioners.

Learn more about ICC YAAF  | Join the network

Hasan Mandiwalla
Partner, MANDVIWALLA & ZAFAR
Scholarship Officer, YLC
Karachi, Pakistan
Julio Rivera Ríos
Partner, Rivera García S.C.
co-chair , IBA Arb40
Mexico, Mexico
Khushboo Shahdadpuri
Partner, Al-Tamimi
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Sadaff Habib
Equanimity arbitration
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Khurram Khan
Lewis Baach Kaufmann Middlemiss PLLC
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Letizia Santin
BonelliErede, DIFC
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Antonin Sobek
Mayer Brown
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Zeyad Abouellail
Jus Mundi
Paris, France
Akl
Sherif Akl
Director, Arbitration and ADR, Middle-East, ICC Dispute Resolution Services
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Dr. Shashwat Bajpai
Counsel and Founder Partner, DRSB Law Chambers
ICC YAAF Regional Representative for South Asia
Delhi, India
Balfaqeeh
Fatima Balfaqeeh
Managing Partner , Balfaqeeh Advocates and Legal Consultants
Vice-Chair , ICC UAE's Commission on Arbitration & ADR
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Arno Janssens
UAE National Representative, IBA Young Lawyers' Committee
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Arush Khanna
Partner, Numen Law Offices
Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) Empaneled Arbitrator
New Delhi, India
Lobna Khater
In-house, Chief Legal Officer & Government Affairs, Edita
Cairo, Egypt
Mutaywea
Aysha Mutaywea
Founder, Mutaywea Law
Manama, Bahrain
Salma Nasreldine
ICC YAAF Representative for the Middle East
Senior Associate , Shahid Law Firm
Cairo, Egypt
Karim Nassif
Principal, Nassif Arbitration
Co-Chair IBA Arab Regional Forum, Rasem Kamal
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dr. Zeina Obeid
ICC YAAF Representative for Middle East; Partner, Obeid & Partners
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Reshma Oogoroh
Arbitrator, Niyom Chambers
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Amr Omran
Counsel, Freshfields
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Serena Salem
Counsel, DLA Piper
Paris, France
Bachir Sayegh
Counsel, White & Case
Paris, France
Rana Sebaly
Associate, White and Case
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Yasmin Sebah
Senior Lecturer in Law, Middlesex University
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Organisers
Sponsorship
Price
Free of charge