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The ICCA 2024 Hong Kong Congress Book is now available online and in print.
Edited by Chiann Bao and Audley Sheppard KC, the volume is the 22nd title in the ICCA Congress Series. The publication brings together contributions developed from presentations delivered at the ICCA Congress, hosted by Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre in Hong Kong in May 2024, including Chapter 2, co-authored by Aisha Abdallah and Natalia Mouzoula.
26 January 26
Other Insights:
The theme, International Arbitration: A Human Endeavour, invited the authors to reflect on the role of the individual within a system often characterised as neutral, objective, and abstract. That reflection unfolds across fifty-one chapters drawn from fifteen thematic panels, which together explore questions at the heart of contemporary arbitral practice, including decision-making and bias, advocacy and persuasion, culture and regionalism, ethics and inter-personal conduct, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence on arbitration.
Set against a backdrop of global change and increasing attention to inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, the chapters offer candid and timely reflections on the lived experience of arbitration. Together, they present international arbitration as a profoundly human endeavour—shaped by perception, reasoning, culture, and judgment, and continually redefined by those who practise it.
In “Rethinking the Role of Arbitrators in Dispensing Justice,” Aisha Abdallah and Natalia Mouzoula examine the evolving responsibilities of arbitrators as key figures in international dispute resolution. The chapter explores whether arbitrators truly function as private judges and how their role differs from that of traditional court judges in terms of appointment, standards of justice, accountability, and procedural flexibility.
Drawing on practical distinctions, court intervention mechanisms, and real-world challenges, the authors analyse notable cases—such as P&ID v. Nigeria—that highlight tensions between arbitral efficiency and substantive justice. They further discuss the shift toward more proactive, inquisitorial approaches and advocate for greater adaptability and ethical safeguards in arbitration.
This insightful contribution offers valuable perspectives for practitioners, users of arbitration, and scholars interested in the future of fair and effective dispute resolution in a global context.
Click here to download and read the full chapter.
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Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Aisha Abdallah or Natalia Mouzoula