The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) organised another of their flagship meetings at Tylney Hall, on 20 September 2024. It included a Symposium jointly organised with the Co-Chairs of the Young International Arbitration Group (YIAG) and provided a mentorship opportunity for a diverse group of ten students – mentees.
Two Queen Mary University of London LLM students in the Comparative and International Dispute Resolution Programme within the School of International Arbitration, had the unique opportunity to participate. The selection process was conducted by Professor Dr Maxi Scherer, Ms Norah Gallager (School of International Arbitration Director), and Dr Maria Fanou (Comparative and International Dispute Resolution Programme Director). Their job was far from easy considering the high caliber of all students in the programme.
The two successful candidates from Queen Mary selected for the event’s mentorship programme were Linh Chi Dao and Yuliia Isaieva. In usual Tylney Hall style, all participants raised a number of interesting and current issues. They ranged from specific topics such as the use of AI and sanctions, to broader reflections on the future of arbitration.
Linh Chi and Yuliia presented their views and arguments on several issues and notably on diverse aspects of general procedural issues in arbitration. Linh Chi argued in favour of having a minimum number of submission rounds provided within arbitration rules in order to ensure that parties are able to present their cases. In addition, tribunal competence and the risk of excessive use of powers were discussed. Yuliia raised a question relating to parallel proceedings as a procedural mechanism for efficient dispute resolution in multiple fora. The related controversies drew the attention of the Co-Chairs of the Symposium. Possible ways to avoid parallel proceedings were discussed. The detrimental effect this may have on the fundamental principles of international arbitration law was also analysed. The participants also provided their views concerning possible appropriate instruments to handle parallel proceedings within the current developments in arbitration.
Participation in this edition of the YIAG Symposium and Mentoring Programme was one of the many opportunities to interact with the international legal professionals that CIDR students were offered during their studies. “I had such a wonderful time at the Symposium! It was great to have conversations with practitioners from different jurisdictions and to listen to their diverse perspectives – it was really eye-opening”, - Linh Chi emphasised. On the impression the event left on the participants, Yuliia Isaieva mentioned: “It was a great privilege to participate in this Symposium! I was impressed by the impeccable manner in which it was organised. The professionalism, both of the staff of the LCIA and the YIAG Co-Chairs, enabled us effectively to delve into the theoretical and practical aspects of international arbitration”.
By Linh Chi Dao and Yuliia Isaieva (LLM London, 2023-2024)