Press Release – 2016 Tutorials

The Insurance and Reinsurance Arbitration Society, ARIAS (UK), ran two consecutive evening Tutorials on 22nd and 23rd February 2016 for its Panel Members and representatives of its Supporting Members. These were held at the offices of Hogan Lovells in Holborn Viaduct.

The purpose of these seminars is to give guidance on the practical aspects of insurance and reinsurance arbitration and are especially aimed at the Society’s more recently appointed Panel Members as well as those Members seeking to refresh their knowledge of the arbitral process. The Tutorials were chaired by the Society’s Chairman, Sir Bernard Eder, and organised by the Society’s Administration Secretary, David Holmes.

Delegates received presentations from a number of eminent barristers including John Lockey QC, Michael Collett QC, Marcus Mander and Peter MacDonald Eggers QC. Sessions included three on the conduct of the arbitration including pleadings, disclosure, factual and expert evidence and closing submissions, and a further two presentations were given on awards and challenges to an award. There was also coverage of the Society’s recently introduced Fast Track Rules, these providing a framework for disputes to be settled more expeditiously and at lower cost. The Tutorials closed with a panel discussion chaired by Honorary Secretary Terry Fairs featuring four of the Society’s more experienced arbitrator Panel Members, Richard Youell, Les Lucas, Graham Jackson and Paul Moss.

A light supper was provided at the end of both evenings giving participants the opportunity to exchange views and discuss topical issues. The Tutorials were well attended and feedback since received has been very positive. ARIAS (UK) is indebted to the speakers who gave their valuable time to prepare for and address the Tutorials and to Hogan Lovells for having made its facilities available to the Society.

Individuals or companies interested in applying for Panel or Supporting membership of ARIAS (UK) may do so by downloading the appropriate application form from its website at www.arias.org.uk. More general enquiries should be directed to the Society’s Administration Secretary.