Ciarb’s 2025 Masterclass was a riveting two days of intense professional growth. It’s impossible to overstate the value in having Doug Jones AO and Janet Walker CM generously and unreservedly share their insights on how to successfully conduct a complex, hard-fought arbitration.
The spectacular Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdel Wahab C.Arb, FCIArb. kicked things off with a typically engaging and perspicacious discussion.
Doug and Janet chaired an electric round-table conversation. They supplied us with a suite of precedents that contain the solutions they’ve developed to the many intractable problems they’ve confronted in their vast experience as world-leading arbitrators. A priceless trove of ideas offered with genuine humility, in the most engaging, kind and digestible way.
Justice Angus Stewart of the Federal Court of Australia attended the dinner and delivered an incisive and provocative keynote.
I shared this precious experience with an elite group, which made the conversation sparkle, and with whom I forged new friendships.
I’m sincerely grateful to Ciarb Australia President, Geoff Farnsworth for inviting me, Ciarb Australia CEO, Gianna Totaro and Christin Ji for organising everything so magnificently, and to James Allsop and Chad Catterwell of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer for generously hosting us. It was a privilege to be a part of it. I have learned so much over these last two days that I’ll be needing to come back to the next one for a refresher, if they’ll have me back.
Jennifer Chambers, Partner, King & Spalding:
Many thanks Professors Douglas Jones AO and Janet Walker CM It was a privilege to be invited along to collaborate with a number of exceptional leaders in the Australian arbitration space, including guest speaker Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdel Wahab C.Arb, FCIArb. All participants shared invaluable insights from their vast collective experience and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Australia provided a set of excellent practical resources for future use.
Matt Lee, Partner, Lindsay Francis & Mangan:
Professors Doug Jones AO and Janet Walker CM are giants in the world of international arbitration and the Australian arbitration community was extremely privileged to have them take the time to dive deep into how they think strategically about the mechanics, structure, and procedure of running effective arbitrations across the globe. Doug and Janet should be commended on their masterclass, which will no doubt have important capacity building impacts for future domestic and international arbitrations across the APAC region. Having the chance to learn from Doug, Janet, and some of Australia’s leading arbitration counsel was a priceless learning experience about international best practice in arbitration.
Katie Sutton, Barrister, Maxwell 42 International Arbitration Chambers:
I highly recommend this international arbitration master-class. Convened by the distinguished Professor Doug Jones AO and Professor Janet Walker CM, the program offered excellent practical discussions with highly experienced practitioners. The format felt much like a small “Tynley Hall” style working group: collegial, interactive, and focused on real-world issues that arise in complex arbitrations.
I left with practical ideas and concrete suggestions for addressing common challenges when running arbitration proceedings. The atmosphere throughout was genuinely collegiate, encouraging open discussion and the sharing of experience.
The dinner was a particular highlight, complemented by Justice Stewart’s keynote speech, which provided thoughtful reflections to round out an already outstanding program.
Tim Breakspear SC, Banco Chambers:
The convenors generously shared their wealth of experience and deep practical insights. The interweaving of participants’ collective expertise through robust discussion developed a shared vision for continual innovation of arbitration practice, and a mandate for renewal of Australian arbitration that integrates the best of global practice.
