VIAC e-Newsletter - Issue 24.09.30 | Half-year Recap (January-June 2024)

HEADLINES

VIAC'S 2024 ARBITRATORS AND MEDIATORS CONFERENCE

Overview of VIAC's 2024 Arbitrators and Mediators Meeting

In March 2024, the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) successfully hosted its 2024 Arbitrators & Mediators Meeting. The event was held on March 16 in Ho Chi Minh City and March 23 in Hanoi.

As a recurring annual event, the VIAC Arbitrators & Mediators Conference serves as a forum for arbitrators, mediators, and VIAC to review past achievements and explore future strategies. This year’s conference saw the participation of over 120 arbitrators, mediators, and VIAC staff from across the nation, contributing to productive discussions and valuable insights for the upcoming term.

VIAC & VIART HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY TRANSFERRED AND ASSIGNED THE INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM OF ARBITRATOR SKILLS FROM USAID

Representatives of VIAC, USAID and group of foreign experts at the transfer of the Intensive Training program of Arbitrator skills

In December 2023, the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) successfully co-hosted the “Arbitrator Skills Camp”. Subsequently, on December 4th, 2023, VIAC had a meeting with USAID and a group of foreign experts to discuss some specific details regarding the handover of this training program. As a result of this discussion, VIAC and VIART have been officially transferred and assigned the Intensive Training Program of Arbitrator Skills from USAID.

In addition to the official transfer of the training program, the two parties also discussed in detail the training modules, the training organisational methods, the necessary duration for activities within the framework of a training course, and other notes for the implementation process to ensure that the training program is within the Vietnamese context. Accordingly, VIAC and the Vietnam International Arbitration Research and Training Institute (VIART), a division of VIAC, are the official copyright owners of the Arbitrator Skills Camp training program, including the course’s content and materials. [See more]

VIAC'S LISTED ARBITRATOR RECOGNISED IN THE A-LIST 2023: VIETNAM'S TOP 100 LAWYERS

The compilation of Vietnam’s Top 100 Lawyers list stems from thorough research and surveys conducted by Asia Business Law Journal. The survey encompassed nominations from both in-house counsels primarily based in Vietnam and Vietnam-focused partners within international law firms. The distinguished individuals acknowledged in this list are esteemed lawyers renowned for their extensive legal expertise, as well as their adept analytical and strategic abilities, which serve to enhance business operations and protect the best interests of their clients. [See more]

VIAC OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED THE VIAC ONLINE CASE MANAGEMENT PLATFORM

As an organization providing alternative dispute resolutions as prescribed by law, including arbitration, mediation, and others, VIAC always focuses and dedicates resources to research and improve the dispute resolution process at the Centre. Since the beginning of 2018, VIAC has conducted research, learned from the digital transformation experience of the Court system, and drawn from international experiences. This has led to the initial formation of a clear idea for building an online platform that enables the Tribunal, the secretariats, disputing parties, and other participants in an arbitration proceeding to systematically and effectively manage the disputes.

Accordingly, with tireless efforts and technical support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), VIAC has developed the Online Case Management Platform – a platform with many improvements aiming at making the arbitration proceeding more convenient and flexible, saving time and cost for the parties while enhancing the efficiency of arbitration as a method promoting cross-border trade and investment activities. In addition, by providing an online arbitration procedure alongside the traditional method, VIAC commits to green and sustainable development campaigns, reducing the carbon footprint on the environment through minimizing paper usage during dispute resolution; thereby contributing to forest protection, reducing paper waste, and limiting the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. [See more]

HIGHLIGHT EVENTS

VIAC AND IPBA COHOST THE SEMINAR ON DISPUTE RESOLUTION STRATEGIES FOR ENTERPRISES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION: INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION AND ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTIONS.

Seminar on Dispute resolution strategies for enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region: International arbitration and alternative dispute resolutions.

On the afternoon of 11 January 2024 in Hanoi, the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) and the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IBPA) co-hosted the Seminar on Dispute resolution strategies for enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region: International arbitration and alternative dispute resolutions.HThe seminar aimed to provide a forum for information exchange, discussion, and updates on developments in international arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods within the region and specific jurisdictions. The seminar was attended by 11 speakers, all of whom are well-respected and experienced lawyers from Vietnam, Japan, and Singapore. The seminar also had the presence of nearly 100 participants, including lawyers, legal experts, representatives from educational institutions, and media units in Hanoi. The discussions focused on the goal of further developing ADR in Vietnam by identifying and resolving the difficulties and limitations in the practical application of arbitration and ADR methods in resolving disputes, especially international ones. Many participants proposed that the legal system be improved to be more stringent compared to international standards, with the main goal of improving and modernizing the legal system to create a comprehensive and internationally compatible legal framework. These improvements may include amending and supplementing the legislation in order to create a more favorable legal environment for resolving cross-border disputes. [See more]

VMC AND SIMC CO-ORGANIZED THE SEMINAR ON INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN THE POST-PANDEMIC CONTEXT: TRENDS AND CHALLENGES IN HANOI & HOCHIMINH CTY

The Seminars were held in Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City

As a part of the cooperation agreement signed between the two parties in 2023, on January 17th 2024 and January 19th 2024, Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC), a division of Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) and Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) successfully organized the seminar on "International Dispute Resolution in the Post-Pandemic Era: Trends and Challenges".

The seminar was attended by representatives from two leading international mediation centers in Vietnam and Singapore. On behalf of VMC, Mr. Phan Trong Dat, Acting Director of VMC, and Mr. Nguyen Trung Nam, Deputy Director of VMC. On behalf of SIMC, Mr. George Lim SC, Chairman of SIMC, and Mr. Chuan Wee Meng, CEO of SIMC. The seminar had the presences of nearly 120 participants, including VIAC arbitrators, VMC mediators, mediators from other mediation centers in Vietnam, lawyers, legal experts, business representatives, lecturers, and the ADRs practitioners.[See more]

VIETNAM MEDIATION CENTRE (VMC) ORGANISED THE TRAINING COURSE ON MEDIATOR SKILLS IN HANOI & HOCHIMINH CITY (ADVANCED COURSE)

Lecturers and participants of the course in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

On April 19 & 20, 2024, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Mediation Centre (VMC), a division of Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC), successfully organized the Training course on Mediator Skills (Advanced Course). Following the success of the basic courses organized by VMC, this advanced course focused on the specialized skills Mediators in the dispute resolution process.

The training course brought together a diverse group of participants, including lawyers, in-house counsels, legal practitioners, and lecturers from law institutions. The lecturers in the training course comprised both Vietnamese and foreign VMC’s Listed Mediators. These experts are recognized for their extensive experience in commercial mediation and have also dedicated years to teaching dispute resolution courses for lawyers and businesses. [See more]

VIAC AND CIETAC COHOSTED THE SEMINAR ON INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION: FACILITATING CHINA AND VIETNAM TRADE AND INVESTMENT

VIAC and CIETAC cohosted the Seminar on International Arbitration: Facilitating China and Vietnam Trade and Investment

On the afternoon of May 8, the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) and the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) cohosted the Seminar on “International Arbitration: Facilitating China & Vietnam Trade and Investment.

The seminar focused on the current trade and investment landscape between China and Vietnam, as well as assessing the impact of international arbitration on cross-border investment and trade activities between the two countries. The seminar featured speakers from both VIAC and CIETAC, as well as lawyers and economic experts. The seminar also had the presence of nearly 150 participants, including lawyers, legal professionals, representatives from enterprises, business associations, educational institutions, and media units in Hanoi.[See more]

PUBLICATIONS

ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Download the VIAC Annual Report 2023 at ENGLISH VERSION  | VIETNAMESE VERSION

EVENT MATERIALS

Download Event Materials at ENGLISH VERSION | VIETNAMESE VERSION 

*Disclaimer: The articles in this ADR Blog section only express the opinions and views of the independent experts and do not have any connection or purpose to express the views and opinions of the Vietnam International Arbitration Center (VIAC) or any other agency or organization. Any references or quotations from any third party to this document are void and are not recognized by VIAC.