Past Events

On 23 October 2014, Prof. Dr. Georges ABI-SAAB, delivered a lecture entitled "Reflections on the Settlement of International Economic Disputes". Prof. Dr. Abi-Saab is Emeritus Professor of International Law at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, and Member of the Institute of International Law; Former Chairman of the Appellate Body of the World Trade; and Member of the Administrative Tribunal of the International Monetary Fund, and of various international arbitral tribunals (ICSID, ICC, UNCITRAL, CRCICA). The lecture adopted a comprehensive approach towards the settlement of international economic disputes out of Prof. Abi-Saab's valuable experiences. Attendees were particularly interested in the effect of changing international economic circumstances on the settlement of disputes.  

On 15 October 2014, Eng. Sharif Al-Nazer, Consultant Engineer and International Arbitrator, delivered a lecture entitled "Particularity of Arbitration in Construction Contracts". Taking into consideration the inter-webbed contractual relations in construction disputes, privacy of arbitration is of crucial importance in construction contracts. The lecturer tackled the different aspects of this theme in a stimulating fashion.  

Ms. Fatma Ibrahim (World Bank Group) lectured a group of lawyers, engineers and accountants on the financial benefits of using mediation to resolve commercial disputes. The Lecturer explained the "toolbox" of dispute resolution, provided the audience with practical tools to determine the practicality of resorting to mediation or other forms of dispute resolution, as well as worked with the audience on a practical case that identified a number of financial elements that counsels should take into account when advising the parties of the most suitable form of dispute resolution.  

On 10 September 2014, Dr. Ismail Selim, Partner, Zulficar and Partners delivered a lecture entitled "International Public Policy in Commercial Arbitration". Dr. Selim defined the notion of International Public Policy not only in Private International Law, but also and more specifically as a bar to enforcement of arbitral awards. It was noted that such notion designates the body of principles and rules recognized by a State, which, by their nature, may bar the recognition or enforcement of an arbitral award rendered in the context of international Commercial arbitration when recognition or enforcement of said award would entail their violation on account either of the procedure pursuant to which it was rendered (procedural international public policy) or of its contents (substantive international public policy)." The Lecturer clarified that such notion is adopted by the majority of states even though only few states explicitly adopt in their Arbitration Laws the term "International Public Policy". Indeed, other states adopt such notion in their jurisprudence whether explicitly or by differentiating between "Public Policy" under Article V-2-b of the New York Convention from one side and mandatory rules from the other side. Examples were given from the jurisprudence of numerous common law and civil law countries including Egypt. The lecture also involved an important differentiation between the notions of "International Public Policy" and "Transnational Public Policy" and explained the notion of "Lois de Police". Dr. Selim concluded with an overview of two very recent decisions of the Egyptian Court of Cassation on Public Policy in Arbitration. The lecture was very well received from attendees representing many sectors.

The Mediation Breakfast Seminar of June was delivered by Dr. Eman Mansour, Director of the Investors' Dispute Settlement Centre of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), under the title "Confidentiality Guarantees in Mediation". At the outset, Dr. Mansour highlighted the privileges of mediation and responded to possible fears and concerns as based on the comparative law and practice of mediation. The Seminar displayed the various guarantees of confidentiality in mediation under different jurisdictions. Legislative guarantees in different national laws as well as regulatory securities in institutional rules and practices were tackled. The lecture also highlighted the legal penalties for the breach of confidentiality in a number of national legislations including the Draft Egyptian Mediation Law. The presentation was followed by constructive discussions and noticeable interaction from the audience who represented investment companies, ministries, schools of law, holding companies, tourism companies and general authorities and law firms.