Scotland hosts energy law session at Global Law Summit

From left: Brandon Malone, Penelope Warne and Professor Peter Cameron

 

The recent Global Law Summit in London saw a Scottish energy session hosted by experts in the field.

The session focused on dispute resolution in the energy sector, and the implications for the industry in light of the rapidly falling oil price.

Speakers at the session included Penelope Warne, senior partner and head of energy at CMS Cameron McKenna, Brandon Malone, chairman of the Scottish Arbitration Centre and co-director of the ICEA, and Professor Peter Cameron, co-director of the ICEA and director of the Centre for Energy, Petroleum, Mineral Law and Policy at the University of Dundee.

The session was coordinated by Andrew Mackenzie, chief executive of the Scottish Arbitration Centre, on behalf of the Law Society of Scotland.

The International Centre for Energy Arbitration (ICEA) was opened in 2013 by former first minister Alex Salmond.

In 2014, the centre commenced a survey of relevant professionals within the energy sector to identify current trends and desired requirements in respect of dispute resolution within the industry.

The results of the consultation are being analysed and a report setting out the findings of this survey is due to be published later this year, with a view to establishing bespoke energy arbitration rules.

Mr Malone said: “The fall in the oil price appears to be causing increased disputes in a number of areas of the sector as pressure on budgets mounts.

“Client and advisors need to plan ahead and cater for disputes, so as to minimise the damage caused.

“Arbitration in Scotland offers a lower cost, zero publicity option, with restricted rights of appeal, which may help mitigate the damaging effects of a dispute in terms of lost management time, expense, and damage to reputation.”

Mr Mackenzie said: “The Scottish Arbitration Centre and ICEA had a prestigious platform at the Global Law Summit to discuss key issues in energy law, including the implications for dispute resolution, and to showcase Scottish expertise.

“We want to see Scotland as the destination for energy dispute resolution.”

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