ICC arbitration court outlines plans to set up shop in Asia

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration is set to launch two new offices in Asia by the end of the year.

The offices, which will be based in Hong Kong and Singapore, come as a direct response to the ICC's strategic survey in 2007. The study concluded that the arbitration court needed greater visibility in Asia due to the region's growing importance.

Former ICC court chair Pierre Tercier, who resigned last week (www.thelawyer. com, 20 March), said: "This important step will be a milestone in the development of ICC dispute resolution services. It will increase our presence in Asia and demonstrate once more the international character of the institution."

ICC court secretary-general Jason Fry added: "We wanted to respond to an increasing demand for the provision of high-quality services locally."

Hong Kong will house a branch of the ICC court's secretariat and a case management team to administer work under ICC rules. In Singapore, a director of ICC Arbitration and Amicable Dispute Resolution Asia will be appointed to oversee the opening a liaison centre.

The ICC launch follows the Permanent Court of Arbitration striking a deal with Singapore six months ago to create the first international court in Asia (The Lawyer, 17 September 2007).