FICA Attends Working Group II Session and Co-hosts Events in Vienna

Representatives of FICA attended the 70th session of UNCITRAL Working Group II in Vienna from 23-27 September 2019.  Constantin Eschlböck, Timothy Lemay, Herman Verbist, and Vincent Reynaud participated as FICA’s delegates during the session.

FICA’s representatives at UNCITRAL Working Group II (left to right): Tim Lemay, Constantin Eschlböck, Vincent Reynaud, and Herman Verbist.

In addition, on 25 September, FICA and the Vienna-based law firm, SMS – Schima Mayer Starlinger, co-hosted a well-attended event entitled, “Expedited Arbitration — The UNCITRAL Rules”.  The event was held in the SMS – Schima Mayer Starlinger offices.

Presenters and speakers at the event were Dr Veit Öhlberger; Judy Freedberg, with the Miami International Arbitration Society; Lisa Bingham, with the International Council for Commercial Arbitration; Tim Lemay, Constantin Eschlböck and Dr Herman Verbist, all with FICA.

Judy Freedberg and the other presenters at the event co-hosted by FICA and SMS – Schima Mayer Starlinger during Working Group II in Vienna.
Tim Lemay speaking at the event co-hosted by FICA and SMS – Schima Mayer Starlinger on 25 September 2019 in Vienna.
Some of the attendees at the event on UNCITRAL’s Expedited Arbitration Rules during the 70th Session of UNCITRAL Working Group II in Vienna.

FICA Task Force Issues Report on Expedited Arbitration Rules

The FICA Task Force has issued its Report on Issues Related to Expedited Arbitration.  This Report addresses various issues being considered in UNCITRAL Working Group II in connection with proposed amendments to the UNCITRAL Model Rules on Arbitration.  

The Report comments on issues discussed in UNCITRAL Working Group II at its 69th session in February 2019 on the basis of the Note prepared by the Secretariat (A/CN.9/WG.II/WP.207) as well as the updated Note by the Secretariat (A/CN.9/WG.II/WP.209) dated 25 July 2019.  These Notes, and this Report, will be the basis for further discussions at the session of Working Group II in Vienna, from 23-27 September 2019.

The FICA Task Force Report may be downloaded here.

The members of the FICA Task Force were Ben Beaumont (chair), Alan Anderson, Tim Lemay, Herman Verbist, and Rumiana Yotova.

Sir Michael Burton Appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire

Sir Michael Burton, QC, the President of the Forum for International Conciliation and Arbitration (FICA), has been appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen in her 2019 Birthday Honours lists recently announced. Sir Michael received the distinction for ‘services to the Rule of Law’.

In making the announcement of his appointment, the Prime Minister’s Office stated that Sir Michael

is the figurehead of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal since its inception in 2000 and has played a pivotal role in the UK’s world leading oversight of its security and intelligence agencies. He is an experienced QC and latterly a judge of the High Court. He has ruled on landmark cases that have had considerable impact on the landscape of investigatory powers. He has adapted the Tribunal to deal with new, wide-ranging counter terrorism powers. As a result of his work, there have been tangible improvements in how authorities operate to ensure that they are working within the law. He founded the Corinne Burton Memorial Trust in 1992 in memory of his late wife and for the past 26 years the Trust has funded art therapy for cancer patients as well as providing support for students wanting to pursue this field. Most notably, he has set up a scholarship fund at Goldsmith’s College, London University which is awarded every year to a student who wishes to study art psychotherapy with a focus on cancer care. As Chair of the Trust, he maintains an active role in its funding projects, outreach activities and strategic direction.

FICA congratulates Sir Michael on his well-earned and well-deserved appointment to the Order, which is a great reflection upon his life and career in the law. FICA is fortunate to count Sir Michael as its president and appreciates his association with the organization.

United Nations and UNCITRAL Approve New Convention and Amended Model Law to Facilitate Mediation to Resolve International Disputes

On December 20, 2018, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the new “United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation” that was the culmination of over three years of effort by UNCITRAL’s Working Group II.  In addition, at its sessions in June and July 2018, the full UNCITRAL Commission adopted amendments to the 2002 Model Law on Conciliation, which henceforth will be known as the “UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Mediation and International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, 2018”.

The Convention, which will be known as the “Singapore Convention on Mediation,” will be open for signature by all States in Singapore on 7 August 2019, and thereafter at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

FICA actively participated in all the sessions of Working Group II on this project, from its beginning in February 2015 until its conclusion at the 68th Session of Working Group II in February 2018. 

VIEW A REPORT ON THE 68TH SESSION OF WORKING GROUP II, THE ACTIONS OF THE UNCITRAL COMMISSION AND THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AS WELL AS THE TEXTS OF THE NEW CONVENTION AND AMENDED MODEL LAW, HERE.

Previous posts regarding Working Group II’s efforts on this project, as well as FICA’s involvement, are available on the “News” page.