ICC YAAF: Introduction to ICC and ICC Arbitration: its past, present and future
Established on 19 January 1923, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Court is recognised today as the world’s most widely used arbitral institution, providing neutral and trusted services to resolve commercial complex disputes. The ICC Court, which in 2023 marked 100 years since its auguration, has handled over 29,000 matters since. Historically, the ICC was the genesis of the private dispute resolution mechanism that we now know as international commercial arbitration.
At this event, we will first look back at the history and present of the ICC, and then look to its future. Next, we will explore the characteristics of ICC Arbitration from a young practitioners’ perspective and discuss what distinguishes ICC Arbitration from arbitration managed by other arbitral institutions. We will also look at the other ADR services provided by the ICC.
The event is intended to be interactive. Everyone is welcome to share his or her experiences, and deepen their understanding of the ICC, ICC Arbitration and beyond.
This YAAF event is being organized in Osaka for the first time in its history, as a side event to the 2025 ICC Tokyo Arbitration Day, taking place on 21 April 2025. It will offer networking opportunities for anyone, including young lawyers, arbitrators, in-house counsel and business persons with interest in ICC Arbitration.
Venue: Osaka Bar Association, 12th floor (1-12-5 Nishi-tenma, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka)
大阪弁護士会館12階（大阪府大阪市北区西天満1丁目12-5）
Travel info:
Five minute walk from Naniwabashi Station of Kihan Nakanoshima Line
Morgane Guyonnet, ICC YAAF Representative for North Asia; Associate, Freshfields, Tokyo
Tel: +81 (0)70 3545 9536 | Email: morgane.guyonnet@freshfields.com
Kentaro Minato, ICC YAAF Representative for North Asia; Partner, Atsumi & Sakai, Tokyo
Tel: +81 (0)3-5501-2367 | Email: kentaro.minato@aplaw.jp
17:30-17:40 Registration and welcome note
Moderators：
- Morgane Guyonnet, ICC YAAF Representative for North Asia; Associate, Freshfields, Tokyo
- Kentaro Minato, ICC YAAF Representative for North Asia; Partner, Atsumi & Sakai, Tokyo
17:40-17:45 Opening Remarks
- Teppei Mogi, Managing Director of Japan Association of Arbitrators; Partner, Oh-ebashi LPC & Partners, Osaka
17:45-17:55 Introduction to ICC YAAF
- Kentaro Minato, ICC YAAF Representative for North Asia; Partner, Atsumi & Sakai, Tokyo
17:55-18:10 Features of ICC Arbitration Practice
- Masafumi Kodama, Member, ICC Internartional Court of Arbitration; Partner, Kitahama Partners, Osaka
18:10-18:30 Keynote Speech
- Alexander G. Fessas, Secretary General, ICC International Court of Arbitration; Director, ICC Dispute Resolution Services
18:30-19:00 ICC YAAF Panel Discussion: Introduction to ICC and ICC Arbitration: its past, present and future
Moderator:
- Morgane Guyonnet, ICC YAAF Representative for North Asia; Associate, Freshfields, Tokyo
Panelists:
- Alexander G. Fessas, Secretary General, ICC International Court of Arbitration; Director, ICC Dispute Resolution Services
- Donna Huang, Director, Arbitration and ADR, North Asia, ICC Dispute Resolution Services
19:00-20:00 JST Closing words from moderators and networking
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.
