Scottish Arbitration Centre hosts Edinburgh summit on commercial dispute resolution in China

Janey Milligan

BAC/BIAC was established in 1995 as an independent non-governmental institution and became the first self-funded arbitration institution in China in 1998.

Andrew Mackenzie, CEO of the centre, opened the summit welcoming delegates to Edinburgh and introducing Brandon Malone, chairman of the board of the centre, and Dr Fuyong Chen, deputy secretary general of BAC/BIAC.

Session topics included “The Overview of Arbitration and TPF Practice in the PRC”, moderated by Nigel Cooper QC of Quadrant Chambers; “The Overview of Commercial Mediation Practice in the PRC”, moderated by Graham Boyack, director of Scottish Mediation; “The Implications of COC, Take-or-pay, Price Review and other customary Energy Contract Clauses under Chinese Contract Law”, moderated by Professor Peter Cameron, co-director of the International centre for Energy Arbitration; “Latest Developments in Construction Law in the PRC” moderated by Sarah Grenfell, partner at CMS; and “The Overview of Private Investment and Finance Disputes in the PRC” moderated by Pieter Bekker, founding director of the Dundee Ocean and Lake Frontiers Institute and Neutrals (DOLFIN).

Dr Fuyong Chen said: “We were able to host an exceptional event at the Scottish Arbitration centre, which provided a platform for participants to network and exchange their insights on the developments of commercial dispute resolution in China.”

Janey Milligan, one of the directors of the centre, said: “The Scottish Arbitration centre was delighted to welcome the 2018 summit to Edinburgh and to host BAC/BIAC in Scotland for the first time.

“A variety of topics were covered throughout the day, being delivered and discussed by informed panels, which provided a fascinating take on the approach to domestic and international arbitration and mediation in China from a range of perspectives.

“This allowed comparisons to be drawn between Chinese and Scottish practice, as well as other jurisdictions. Feedback following the event confirms that delegates from Scotland, London and China found the summit useful and interesting and, in all, it was a very successful day”.