KLRCA Summer Academy on International Investment Law and Dispute Settlement

25-29 July 2016

The Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (KLRCA)

The Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (the “KLRCA” or the “Centre”) was established in 1978 under the auspices of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO). The KLRCA is an international organisation established to promote and conduct international arbitration in the Asia Pacific region in line with the work of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). One of the main functions of the KLRCA is to provide institutional support as a neutral and independent venue for conducting domestic and international arbitration proceedings in the Asian Pacific region.

The Government of Malaysia (the “Government”) and AALCO entered into a host country agreement whereby the Government agreed to provide facilities for the establishment and functioning of such a Centre. For the purpose of executing its functions as an international organisation, the KLRCA has been accorded certain privileges and immunities in accordance with the International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1982.

As an arbitral institution, the KLRCA provides a wide range of facilities for the settlement of disputes through arbitration, mediation and adjudication conducted at the Centre. The KLRCA is a neutral venue for disputing parties to arbitrate and discuss their options in settling commercial and trade disputes. The KLRCA provides hearing rooms, consultation and breakout rooms, a resource centre, a library, telephone and video conferencing services, secretarial services, interpreting and transcribing services, a coffee terrace and ample parking spaces.

Knowledge sharing and capacity building is a cornerstone of KLRCA’s policy with regard to investment arbitration. The KLRCA commonly shares with various players, eclectic types of resources and expertise, and cultivates with them a dynamic information and discussion platform through seminars, conferences and numerous events.

Following the success of its first International Investment Arbitration Conference (KIIAC 2016) – the biggest ever held in Asia – in March 2016, the KLRCA is proud to organise the first KLRCA Summer Academy on International Investment Law and Dispute Settlement (the “Academy”). We are happy to announce that Clifford Chance (Singapore) is the official partner of the Academy.

The Academy will run from 25 to 29 July 2016 and is designed for government officials, lawyers, specialists, practitioners, professors, researchers and students. More specifically, it intends to provide participants with the essential theoretical and practical skills to understand and deal with investment disputes under bilateral and multilateral investment treaties.

The work of the Summer Academy will serve to develop research, complement academic education and promote dialogue between the academic and business worlds. In courses, seminars, workshops, particular importance is to be attached to ensuring that participants are aware of the rights and obligations under bilateral and multilateral investment treaties and are able to make full use of the opportunities for access to the dispute settlement procedures. The Academy entails an intensive one week course of study, with lectures by leading practitioners and experts from around the world.

The Academy will provide ample opportunities to engage in discussions and exchange ideas with experts and fellow participants working in the same field.

KLRCA’s Sulaiman Building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is a gazetted heritage building that houses state-of-the-art facilities; 19 hearing rooms, 22 breakout rooms, a business centre, a specialised Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and construction law library, dining areas and an auditorium. It also boasts ultra-modern facilities such as advanced video conferencing equipment that enables worldwide connectivity, making cross-border proceedings much more convenient. It is strategically located just minutes away from the city’s largest transit hub, a national railway station.

The Summer Academy offers a series of lectures and workshops on international investment law and dispute settlement in a one week course in Kuala Lumpur. It will focus on the most important aspects of international investment law and dispute settlement and will include, inter alia, lectures, interactive trainings and practical exercises on topical issues. Participants will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, experience and learning by competing in the Moot Court tournament.

Day 1: Monday 25 July 2016
9.30-16.00 Introduction to Public International Law/International Investment Law and Substantive Protection under Investment Treaties

Day 2: Tuesday 26 July 2016
9.30-16.00 Standards of Protection and Other Substantive Clauses in Investment Treaties

Day 3: Wednesday 27 July 2016
9.30-16.00 Dispute Settlement under Bilateral and Multilateral Investment Treaties

Day 4: Thursday 28 July 2016
9.30-16.00 Jurisdiction, Admissibility, and Procedural Issues in Investor-State Arbitration

Day 5: Friday 29 July 2016
9.30-16.00 Moot Court

Datuk Professor Sundra Rajoo, Director of the KLRCA

Dr Ioannis Konstantinidis, Head of investment treaty arbitration and international law, KLRCA

Dr Sufian Jusoh, Associate Professor at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS)

Olga Boltenko, Senior Associate, Clifford Chance (Singapore)

Dr Sam Luttrell, Counsel, Clifford Chance (Perth)

Two categories of fees:

1.     RM1500 * without accommodation
2.     RM4400 * with accommodation for 6 nights at a 5 star hotel

Fees include:

•     Admission to all sessions
•     Access to the KLRCA library
•     Academy bag and name badge
•     Academy programme and study pack
•     Five free lunches
•     Coffee/tea during the breaks
•     Excursion
•     Participation in the Summer Academy Official Dinner

An exclusively merit-based scholarship programme allows a limited number of participants to receive financial assistance covering the registration fee (1500 RM).

Documents to be submitted:

•     Completed registration form
•     CV
•     Brief personal statement of reasons for applying for a scholarship.

Please send the application documents to events@klrca.org before the 10th of July 2016.

Documents to be submitted:

•     Completed registration form
•     CV

Please send the application documents to events@klrca.org before the 10th of July 2016.