10th ICC Asia Pacific Conference on International Arbitration
The 10th edition of the annual ICC Asia Pacific Conference on International Arbitration is taking place in Hong Kong on 25-27 June 2025! Mark your calendars for this must-attend event in the Asia Pacific. Arbitrators, mediators, corporate counsel, lawyers and businesspeople from the region will come together for three days of networking and insights.
Two ICC Institute of World Business Law Trainings will take place on the occasion of the 10th ICC APAC Conference.
An ICC Institute Training for Tribunal Secretaries: Role, Tasks and Skills of Tribunal Secretaries to Excel in their Function will take place in Hong Kong on 25 June 2025. This training is addressed to lawyers who wish to act as Tribunal Secretaries. Throughout this one-day training, participants will learn about the role and the responsibilities of Tribunal Secretaries from the receipt of the case to the issuance of the Arbitral Award and will mainly focus on ICC arbitration rules.
An ICC Institute Advanced Training on the Conduct of the Proceedings and Case Management: the Arbitrator's Perspective will take place in Hong Kong on 26 June 2025. In this training session, participants will learn about conducting proceedings and how to manage cases: particularly in relation to specific techniques, issues, and information exchange. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in case scenarios sessions and debates in order to discuss and grasp the underpinnings of case management and conducting proceedings.
Who should attend?
- Practising lawyers
- Corporate counsel
- Judges
- Arbitrators
- Mediators
- Business professionals and academics from around the world
Stay up-to-date with the latest news on the #ICCAPAC Conference by following ICC Arbitration on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
Testimonial Quote
“Omani & Partners LLP is proud to support the 10th Annual ICC Asia Pacific Conference – an essential platform for advancing cross-border dialogue, sharing expertise, and shaping the future of arbitration internationally.”
Dr. Nasser Al-Adba
Founder & Managing Director
Omani & Partners LLP
Dates and venue:
ICC Institute Training for Tribunal Secretaries
Date: 25 June 2025
Venue: Withers, 30/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong
ICC Institute Advanced Training on the Conduct of the Proceedings and Case Management
Date: 26 June 2025
Venue: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Hong Kong
10th ICC APAC Conference
Date: 27 June 2025
Venue: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Hong Kong
Registration fees:
Tribunal Secretaries training:
Early Bird (until 16 May 2025): USD 549
Standard (17 May - 22 June 2025): USD 715
Last Chance (23 - 27 June 2025): USD 815
ICC Institute Training on the Conduct of the Proceedings and Case Management
Early Bird (until 16 May 2025): USD 689
Standard (17 May - 22 June 2025): USD 849
Last Chance (23 - 27 June 2025): USD 949
Conference
Early Bird (until 16 May 2025): USD 499
Standard (17 May - 22 June 2025): USD 629
Last Chance (23 - 27 June 2025): USD 799
Package 1 - Tribunal Secretaries training and Conference (20% discount)
Early Bird (until 16 May 2025): USD 839
Standard (17 May - 22 June 2025): USD 1075
Last Chance (23 - 27 June 2025): USD 1291
Package 2 – Institute Training and Conference (20% discount)
Early Bird (until 16 May 2025): USD 950
Standard (17 May - 22 June 2025): USD 1183
Last Chance (23 - 27 June 2025): USD 1399.
ICC members:
20% discount on the above rates. Please contact your local NC to obtain your discount code.
Special discounts:
FULL TIME in-house counsel and government representatives may attend the conference free of charge. LIMITED SPACES ARE AVAILABLE.
Group rate: Register 5 persons from the same company and only pay for 4.
FULL TIME academics may benefit from a 20% discount.
Please contact ICCGlobalEvents@iccwbo.org for more details.
Travel and accommodation:
Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and hotel reservations.
ICC has reserved a quota of rooms at preferential rates from Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 June 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, where the event is taking place. A reservation link will be sent to participants upon registration so that they may make their bookings directly with the hotel. Please note that all reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card.
Persons with a disability who require special assistance to attend the conference or training are invited to contact ICCGlobalEvents@iccwbo.org.
Visa
We are able to dispatch visa invitation letters to support your visa application only after receipt of your registration and full payment of your registration fees.
Working language:
English
Credits, hours and points:
The Tribunal Secretaries training, ICC training and conference will be eligible for credits before the Law Society of Hong Kong, State Bar of New York and Paris Bar. Please note that this is subject to validation of ICC Global Events' application (or individual application, as necessary).
Furthermore, ICC Global Events is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider.
Please contact ICCGlobalEvents@iccwbo.org if you have any questions or would like further information.
Disclaimer:
The photos and audiovisual recordings taken at this event may be used and published by ICC, its subsidiaries or affiliates, for informational or promotional purposes in printed materials or online, including on ICC websites and in social media. Participation in the event implies agreement to such use of photos or audiovisual recordings in which the participant may appear unless ICC receives written notification to the contrary.
Cancellation policy :
50% of the registration fee will be refunded if notice of cancellation is received in writing before Tuesday 27 May 2025 included. Cancellations after this date are non-refundable, except in exceptional circumstances, such as visa refusals and illness. In these cases, a minimum cancellation fee of 20% of the registration fee will be charged. Subject to agreement from ICC Global Events prior to the event, the registration may be transferred to another person from the same company or organisation at no extra charge. Updated registration information will be required. Please note that ICC reserves the right to cancel this event or to make minor alterations to the content and timing of the programme or to the identity of the speakers. In the unlikely event of cancellation, delegates will be offered a full refund. ICC will not, however, be held responsible for any related expense incurred by the participant.
10th ICC Asia Pacific Conference on International Arbitration
Stars, States & Settlements: The Next Chapter in International Arbitration
PROGRAMME
All times shown are in HKT
08.30 - 09.30 Registration and welcome coffee
09.30 - 09.40 Welcome Address
- Claudia Salomon, President, ICC International Court of Arbitration, Paris
09.40 - 10.00 Opening Keynote Address
- Geoffrey Ma, Former Chief Justice of Hong Kong; Arbitrator/Mediator, Temple Chambers, Hong Kong; Member, ICC International Court of Arbitration
10.00 - 10.50 Dispute Resolution Today and tomorrow in APAC: Insights on the Latest ICC Highlights
Drawing on ICC preliminary statistics and crucial insights collected from industry players our panellists will share evidence-based insights into the global state of dispute resolution, with a focus on Asia-Pacific, and what to expect in the future. After an in-depth discussion of how private practitioners, in-house counsel, government officials and arbitrators around the world perceive current practices in international arbitration and the state of arbitration services worldwide, including regional influences. Based on these highlights the speakers will reflect on the evolving global dispute resolution landscape and ICC’s upcoming initiatives globally and in the region.
- Donna Huang, Director, Arbitration & ADR for North Asia, ICC Dispute Resolution Services, Shanghai
- Asli Yilmaz, Managing Counsel, ICC International Court of Arbitration, Paris
10.50 - 11.20 Coffee Break kindly sponsored by Omani & Partners
11.20 - 12.20 Session 1: State and State Entity Disputes in ICC Arbitration: Strategic Insights and Evolving Practices
ICC arbitration is often used by state and state entities. 19% of ICC arbitration involved state and state entities in 2024. ICC arbitrations involving states and state entities cover a wide variety of cases involving both large and small amounts in dispute. Asia, in particular, has seen significant involvement of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in international arbitration. Countries like China, India, and Indonesia have numerous SOEs engaged in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and telecommunications.
The ICC has implemented several special practices to facilitate the participation of states and state entities in arbitration, such as the constitution of arbitration tribunals, scrutiny of draft awards, etc.
Join us to gain insights into how ICC arbitration is evolving to meet the needs of state and state entity disputes, and to understand the strategic considerations for both states and their contractual counterparts in navigating this complex landscape.
- Peangpanor Boonklum, Senior Executive Vice President, Office of General Counsel, PTT Public Company Limited, Thailand
- Shashank Garg, Senior Advocate, India; Chair, ICC India Arbitration Group
- Jing Li, Senior Partner, Beijing Wonson Law Firm, China
- Gitta Satryani, Partner, Head of International Arbitration and Disputes Southeast Asia, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, Singapore
Moderator
- Sanghoon Han, Partner Lawyer, Lee & Ko, South Korea
12.20 - 12.40 Discussion
12.40 - 14.00 Lunch generously sponsored by Omani & Partners
14.00 - 15.00 Session 2: 'Race' to the Moon: Commercial Outer Space, the Next Frontier for International Disputes?
With the deepening of the commercialisation of outer space, activities such as space commercial launch, satellites application, space tourism, and resource exploration have become increasingly prevalent.The global space economy was valued at approximately $469 billion in 2024, with projections suggesting it could reach $1 trillion by 2040. In 2024, the space sector saw a record number of 186 successful rocket launches, signalling a rapid transformation. This rapid growth is driven by advancements in technology, increased private sector investment, and rising demand for space data and related services.
As these activities expand, a series of legal issues have emerged, providing new opportunities for international arbitration and ADR. This panel will introduce the commercial development of outer space and analyse its needs for dispute resolution.
- Mohamed Amara, General Counsel, Federal Geographic Information Center, United Arab Emirates
- Varuna Bhanrale, Partner, Trilegal, India
- Helen Shi, Co-Head of Dispute Resolution Team, Fangda Partners, China; Vice President, ICC Court of Arbitration
- Yun Zhao, Henry Cheng Professor in International Law, Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Representative, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Hague Conference on Private International Law
Moderator
- Mahesh Rai, Director, Dispute Resolution, Deputy Head, Construction & Engineering, Drew & Napier, Singapore
15.00 - 15.20 Discussion
15.20 - 15.50 Coffee Break
15.50 - 16.50 Session 3: Mock Session of the ICC International Court of Arbitration: Spotlight on Multi-
Party & Multi-Contract Issues and Consolidation
Join members of the ICC Court and representatives of the ICC Secretariat in an interactive mock session, contributing to the ICC Court's decision on multi-party and multi-contract issues and consolidation request. The session will highlight how the ICC Court decides on the consolidation and at the same time issues with multi-party contracts.
- Ana Coimbra Trigo, Senior Associate, PLMJ Law Firm, Portugal; Member, ICC International Court of Arbitration
- Masafumi Kodama, Partner, Kitahama Partners, Japan; Alternate Member, ICC International Court of Arbitratio
- Yvonne Mak, Counsel, ICC International Court of Arbitration, Singapore
- Claudia Salomon, President, ICC International Court of Arbitration, Paris
- Kabir Singh, Partner, International Dispute Resolution, Clifford Chance Pte Ltd, Singapore; Alternate Member, ICC International Court of Arbitration
- May Tai, Independent Arbitrator, Hong Kong; Vice President, ICC International Court of Arbitration
- Xin Zhang, Counsel, ICC International Court of Arbitration, Hong Kong
- Fang Zhao, Managing Partner, Hui Zhong Law Firm, China; Alternate Member, ICC International Court of Arbitration
16.50 - 17.00 Closing Remarks
- Tejus Chauhan, Director, Arbitration & ADR for South Asia, ICC Dispute Resolution Services, Singapore
17.30 - 19.30 Cocktail Reception generously sponsored by Omani & Partners
PROGRAMME
ICC Institute of World Business Law Advanced Training on Conduct of the Proceedings and Case Management: The Arbitrators' Perspective
Originally developed by: Eduardo Palmer, Independent Arbitrator, United States
Chair of this training: Chuan Thye Tan, SC, Partner, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, Singapore;
Council Member, ICC Institute of World Business Law
All times shown are in HKT
09.30 – 09.40 Welcoming address and introduction to the training
- Chuan Thye Tan, SC, Partner, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, Singapore; Council Member, ICC Institute of World Business Law
09.40 – 10.15 Introduction: the legal framework for the conduct of the proceedings
The conduct of international arbitral proceedings involves a complex array of legal sources that can be brought to bear on the process and the procedural decisions that steer it. During this session, participants will learn about the interaction of the main sources of rules and norms behind procedural decisions that aim to strike the right balance between fairness and efficiency, and between party autonomy and the mandatory rules upon which the enforceability of an award may depend.
- John Rhie, Managing Partner and Head of International Arbitration, Asia, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, Hong Kong
10.15 – 11.00 Active Case Management Techniques
From the very outset of the arbitration, the tribunal must actively assist the parties in organizing and streamlining the conduct of the proceedings. During this session, participants will learn and discuss both theoretical and practical standpoint effective case management techniques. These will include issues related to drafting the terms of reference, preparing and conducting case management conferences, and adopting procedural timetables, initial procedural directions, mediation/negotiating windows bifurcations - as addressed in the ICC Guide on Effective Management of Arbitration.
- Winnie Tam, SC, Independent Arbitrator, Des Voeux Chambers, Hong Kong
- Xin Zhang, Counsel, ICC International Court of Arbitration, Hong Kong
11.00 – 11.15 Coffee break
11.15 – 12.15 Case scenarios on active case management techniques and debate
12.15– 12.45 Arbitrators’ Authority: Scope and Limits
The notion of arbitral authority is a complex and multifaceted one which plays a key role in the creation of a suitable framework for the arbitration. It is relevant to relations among tribunal members, relations between counsel and the Tribunal, and relations between the Parties and the Tribunal, and requires an understanding of governing procedural rules as well as of such intricate notions and inherent power.
- Chuan Thye Tan, SC, Partner, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, Singapore; Council Member, ICC Institute of World Business Law
12.45 – 13.15 Case scenarios on arbitrators’ authority: scope and limits and debate
13.15 – 14.15 Lunch
14.15 – 14.45 Managing the exchange of information
Obtaining and presenting information is of paramount importance when preparing an international commercial arbitration case. The mission of the arbitral tribunal lies in managing such exchange of information, taking into consideration the different cultural legal approaches of the parties and their counsel. Participants will learn more on how arbitrators organize and handle the presentation of facts and expert witness evidence, and how they navigate issues such as confidentiality and trade secrets. The issue of whether or not, for sake of efficiency of the process, to have a document production phase - and in which case - will be tackled.
- Catherine Mun, Partner, Mun Lee Ming Law Firm, Hong Kong
14.45 – 15.30 Case scenarios on managing the exchange of information and debate
15.30 – 15.45 Coffee break
15.45 – 16.30 Conducting hearings
Conducting fair and orderly hearings is one of the most critical tasks faced by arbitrators. Indeed, respect of due process on one side and the need to efficiently conduct the arbitral hearing on the other may pose a significant challenge for arbitrators. During this session participants will learn how arbitrators deal with expectations concerning the examination of fact and expert witnesses, process issues relating to tribunal questions, time management and special considerations for remote hearings.
- Friven K. Yeoh, Partner, International Litigation and Arbitration, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Hong Kong/Singapore
16.30 – 17.15 Case scenarios on conducting hearings and debate
17.15 – 17.30 Closing remarks
- Chuan Thye Tan, SC, Partner, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, Singapore; Council Member, ICC Institute of World Business Law
PROGRAMME
ICC Institute of World Business Law Training for Tribunal Secretaries: Role, Tasks and Skills of Tribunal Secretaries to Excel in their Function
Originally developed by: Catherine Schroeder and Ana Paula Montans
Chaired by Delphine Ho, Independent Arbitrator, The Arbitration Chambers, Singapore;
Member, ICC Institute of World Business Law
All times shown are in HKT
09.00-09.10 Welcoming remarks by our generous hosts: Withersworldwide
09.10-09.25 Welcoming and introductory remarks by Chair of the training
- Introduction of the ICC Institute of World Business Law
- Introduction on the benefits a tribunal secretary can provide to the arbitration proceedings
- Introduction to the controversies regarding the role of tribunal secretaries
- Overview of the training programme
- Delphine Ho, Independent Arbitrator, The Arbitration Chambers, Singapore; Member, ICC Institute of World Business Law
09.25-09.55 I. What is expected from a tribunal secretary?
- The perspective of arbitrators/parties/ICC on the role of the tribunal secretary and nature of his/her tasks
- How a tribunal secretary can be helpful/main advantages to the arbitration proceedings in their perspective?
- Paul Sandosham, Partner, Clifford Chance Asia, Singapore
- Yvonne Mak, Counsel, ICC International Court of Arbitration, Singapore
09.55-10.10 Q&A session
10.10-10.30 II. The appointment of tribunal secretaries
- In which type of cases would the appointment of a tribunal secretary be helpful? In all instances? Should this depend on the complexity of the case or the amount in dispute?
- Who should act as a tribunal secretary? (Junior lawyer/experienced lawyer/paralegal?)
- Statement of Independence and Impartiality (ICC Note on the Appointment, Duties and Remuneration of Administrative Secretaries/IBA Guidelines on Conflict of Interest in International Arbitration)
- Remuneration of the tribunal secretary (Comparison with other institutions and ad hoc arbitration)
- Objections by the parties to the appointment of tribunal secretaries and decision by the arbitral tribunal
- Dino Ricardo T. de los Angeles, Partner, Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles, Philippines
10.30-10.45 Q&A session
10.45-11.10 Coffee break
11.10-11.30 III. Overview of the tribunal secretary’s tasks and role in the organisation of the Proceedings
- Nature of the tasks: administrative nature?
- Analysis of the main administrative tasks pertaining to the tribunal secretary
- Analysis of the main non-administrative tasks pertaining to the tribunal secretary
- The tasks in which the tribunal secretary should not be involved and reasons for such limitation
- The specificity of ICSID proceedings
- Rahul Donde, Founder, Rahul Donde Dispute Resolution, Switzerland
11.30-11.45 Q&A session
11.45-12.30 IV. The support provided by tribunal secretaries from receipt of the case file until the signature of the terms of reference
- The first contacts with the parties
- Drafting the Terms of Reference (ToR) pursuant to Article 23 of the ICC Rules
- Drafting the Procedural Rules (usually Procedural Order No. 1, “PO 1”)
- Preparation of the Case Management Conference (Art. 24 of the ICC Rules)
- Erika Williams, Independent Arbitrator, Australia
12.30-12.45 Q&A session
12.45-13.45 Lunch
13.45-14.45 Working Groups: Preparing and Drafting a ToR / PO 1
14.45-15.15 Discussion on the ToR / PO 1
15.15-16.30 V. The support provided by tribunal secretaries from the signature of the terms of reference until the evidentiary hearing
15.15-15.35 Procedural aspects
- Issues relating to bifurcation, interim measures, provisional measures: inform arbitral tribunal and prepare procedural orders under the tribunal’s direction and supervision
- Document production requests: provide copies of relevant documents to the president of the tribunal, attend/follow deliberations in this regard, and prepare draft decision in the Redfern Schedule under the tribunal’s direction, control and supervision
- Preparation of pre-hearing conference
- Preparation for the evidentiary hearing
- Role during the Hearing
- Earl Rivera-Dolera, Partner, TKI Singapore LLP / Tokyo International Law Office, Singapore
15.35-15.45 Q&A session
15.45-16.05 Coffee break
16.05-16.35 Technological aspects
- Creation, organisation and transmission of electronic files in order to facilitate the organisation of the proceedings
- Cyber-security
- Technical aspects of eDisclosure
- Wang Hui (Michael Wang), Senior Managing Associate, Registered Foreign Lawyer (California), Sidley Austin Hong Kong Office, China
16.35-16.50 Q&A session
16.50-17.35 VI. The award
- The role of the tribunal secretary in the deliberations
- The role of the tribunal secretary in the drafting of the award
- Requests for correction/interpretation: draft addendum/decision and liaise with ICC Secretariat
- Delphine Ho, Independent Arbitrator, The Arbitration Chambers, Singapore; Member, ICC Institute of World Business Law
- Paul Sandosham, Partner, Clifford Chance Asia, Singapore
17.35-17.50 Q&A session
17.50-18.00 Closing remarks
- Delphine Ho, Independent Arbitrator, The Arbitration Chambers, Singapore; Member, ICC Institute of World Business Law
