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2025 International Arbitration Conference

IA Conference 2025

ACICA and Ciarb Australia International Arbitration Conference 2025

The International Arbitration Conference returns to Sydney this October for a full day of thought-provoking discussion, global insights and practical takeaways.

Proudly organised and hosted by ACICA, and co-hosted by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Australia, this premier event brings together leading practitioners, academics and industry experts on the international arbitration calendar in Australia.

Set in the iconic Sofitel Sydney Wentworth ballroom, this flagship event marks the official opening of Australian Arbitration Week.

🗣️ Featuring a keynote address, expert panel discussions, and unparalleled networking opportunities with arbitration professionals from around the world. 🎯 Full program to be announced shortly.

Register now and help shape the future of international dispute resolution!

Early Bird registration available until 12 September 2025.

Please note that all conference times are listed in AEDT (UTC+11).

Linkhttps://aaw.acica.org.au/ia-conference/
VenueSofitel Sydney Wentworth
Address61-101 Phillip Street Sydney,
StartsMon Oct 13 2025, 8:00am AEDT
EndsMon Oct 13 2025, 7:00pm AEDT

2025 International Arbitration Conference Program 

ACICA and Ciarb Australia are delighted to invite you to the 2025 International Arbitration Conference: Revolutions and Solutions: Future-Proofing Arbitration.

Our one-day programme features a keynote address from The Honourable Andrew Bell, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of New South Wales, and will bring together eminent speakers from around the globe in seven stimulating
sessions covering:

  • Around the world and back
  • The weakest link: resolving disputes in disrupted supply chains and
    changing circumstances
  • Fireside chat with Prof. Bernard Hanotiau: multi-party/multi-contract
    issues and modern challenges
  • Tariffs and trade bans and sanctions, oh my! Is ISDS a solution?
  • Currents of change: arbitrating in new fields, from crypto to cannabis to
    climate tech and beyond
  • The sounds of silence: preserving integrity and efficiency when arbitration participants go silent (or go rogue)
  • Revolutions and solutions: reflections across the generations
DOWNLOAD PROGRAM
TIMESESSION
08:20-08:50Registration & Welcome Coffee/Tea
08:50-09:05Welcome to Country
09:05-09:15Welcome Address & Introduction to Keynote Speaker: Judith Levine, ACICA President and Independent Arbitrator
09:15-09:35Keynote Address: The Honourable Andrew Bell, Chief Justice of New South Wales, “AI in International Arbitration”
09:35-10:35

Session 1: Around the World and Back

This interactive discussion will focus on emerging global trends in arbitration, with panellists from Fiji, Geneva, Hong Kong, and Delhi.

Chair: Lucas Bastin KC, Essex Court Chambers, London/Sydney

Panel:

  • Jon Apted, Munro Leys, Fiji
  • Domitille Baizeau, LALIVE, Geneva
  • Shashank Garg, Senior Advocate, Delhi
  • Sylvia Tee, Ashurst, Beijing/Hong Kong
10:35-10:55MORNING TEA BREAK
10:55-11:55

Session Two: The weakest link: resolving disputes in disrupted supply chains and changing circumstances

Chair: Julia Dreosti, Clifford Chance, Adelaide/Perth

Panel:

  • Tim Nelson, Skadden, New York/London
  • Michael Polkinghorne, White & Case, Paris
  • Leah Ratcliff, Santos Ltd, Adelaide
11:55-12:35

Session Three: Fireside chat: multi-party/multi-contract issues and modern challenges

Premala Thiagarajan SC, List A Barristers, Melbourne,

in conversation with

Professor Bernard Hanotiau, Hanotiau Tossens Goldman,
Brussels

12:35-13:35LUNCH BREAK
13:35-14:35

Session Four: Tariffs and trade bans and sanctions, oh my! Is ISDS a solution?

Chair: Monty Taylor, Tenth Floor Chambers, Sydney

Panel:

  • Lucy Martinez, Independent Arbitrator, Queensland
  • Salim Moollan KC, Brick Court Chambers, Singapore
  • Dr Elizabeth Sheargold, Monash University, Melbourne
  • Dene Yeaman, Assistant Secretary, Trade and Investment Law
    Branch, Trade Law and Economic Security Division, Department
    of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra
14:35-15:35

Session Five: Currents of change: arbitrating in new fields, from crypto to cannabis to climate tech and beyond

Chair: Amanda Lees, KWM, Singapore

Panel:

  • Emily Hay, ArbBoutique, Brussels
  • Benjamin Hughes, Independent Arbitrator, Singapore/Seoul
  • Jim Morrison, Peter & Kim, Sydney
  • Tom Sprange KC, King & Spalding, London
15:35-15:55AFTERNOON TEA BREAK
15:55-16:55

Session Six: The sounds of silence: preserving integrity and efficiency when arbitration participants go silent (or go rogue)

Chair: Boxun Yin, Banco Chambers, Sydney

Panel:

  • Simon Davis, Francis Burt Chambers, Perth
  • Jo Delaney, HFW, Sydney
  • Sarah Grimmer, Twenty Essex, Singapore
  • Swee Yen Koh SC, Wong Partnership, Singapore
16:55-17:50

Session Seven: Revolutions and solutions: reflections across the generations

Chairs:

  • Stephanie Brown, Office of International Law, Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra
  • Jay Tseng, Enyo Lawyers, Brisbane

Panel:

  • Hilary Heilbron KC, Brick Court Chambers, London
  • The Hon. Wayne Martin AC KC, Francis Burt Chambers, Perth
  • Kim Rooney, Rede Chambers, Hong Kong
17:45-18:00Closing Address:  Geoff Farnsworth, Ciarb (Australia Branch) President, Holding Redlich
18:00-19:00NETWORKING DRINKS