VIAC has a working session with Hanoi Bar Association

On the afternoon of October 13^th, 2024, the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) delegation attended a working session at the headquarters of the Hanoi Bar Association (HBA) in Hanoi. At the meeting, representatives from both institutes focused on discussing matters regarding

Representatives from Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) and Hanoi Bar Association (HBA)

Commencing the working session, Prof. Dr. Le Hong Hanh shared his remarks with representatives of the Hanoi Bar Association that recent dispute resolution practices at VIAC have shown an increasing involvement of lawyers in cases. Lawyers’ activities not only play an active role in protecting the legitimate rights and interests of disputing parties but also contribute to the development of commercial arbitration, as well as other alternative dispute resolution methods. Therefore, alongside building lawyers' trust in the importance of arbitration, VIAC has consistently focused on partnering with lawyers, providing support in both professional expertise and arbitration skills in general and specifically in cases at VIAC.

Prof. Dr. Le Hong Hanh – President of VIAC and Dr. Dao Ngoc Chuyen – Chairman of Hanoi Bar Association gave their remarks at the working session

Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Dao Ngoc Chuyen, Chairman of Hanoi Bar Association, shared that the Hanoi Bar Association is currently implementing various activities to support city-wide practicing lawyers, particularly focusing on resources and quality activities for professional training and monitoring of legal practice. He noted that recently, the association's training programs on litigation activities have increasingly emphasized courtroom advocacy skills. However, to effectively develop arbitration and mediation advocacy skills, the Hanoi Bar Association has proposed collaborating with VIAC to organize systematic and practical training programs closely aligned with domestic arbitration practices and expanding into international arbitration.

Working Session between the Executive Board, Executive Committee, and Specialized Personnels of Vietnam International Arbitration Centre and Hanoi Bar Association

Additionally, representatives from the Executive Committee of the Hanoi Bar Association – Mr. Nguyen Van Ha and Mr. Le Dang Tung, shared their insights on the association's ongoing initiatives and proposed potential areas of collaboration with VIAC. Recognizing shared goals between both institutes, the Committee proposed cooperation in contributing to policy making and legal development in the fields of commerce and investment, as well as arbitration, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolutions. While also prioritizing activities to hone professional skills for lawyers, particularly arbitration advocacy.

Following that, Mr. Vu Anh Duong – Permanent Vice President cum Secretary General of VIAC highlighted the fact that more recently, VIAC has been actively collaborating with organizations representing lawyers across the country with the aim to accompany and support the legal community in improving professional knowledge and skills. This forms the basis for deepening cooperative activities between VIAC and the Hanoi Bar Association in the future. Mr. Duong emphasized that VIAC highly values the role of lawyers in VIAC proceedings, as it both enhances the arbitration process's efficiency and upholds VIAC's role in providing a supervised platform for dispute resolution services. Therefore, VIAC focuses on establishing channels for collaboration, sharing expertise, and professional discussions to elevate legal practitioners' skills, not onlyspecific arbitration skills but also in practical knowledge on various legal issues in the fields of investment and business.

An Overview of the Working Session

During the session, specialized personnels from both institutes also engaged in detailed discussions on potential areas of collaboration. VIAC and the Hanoi Bar Association hope to soon actualize these discussions effectively and further implement quality initiatives in the near future.