1:15 – 1:30pm

Registration

1:30 – 1:40pm

Conference kick-off

1:40 – 1:45 pm

Opening Address

• Dr Thomas So JP, Chairman of eBRAM

1:45 – 1:50pm

Welcome Remarks

• The Hon CHEUNG Kwok-kwan, SBS, JP, Deputy Secretary for Justice, HKSAR

1:50 – 2:00pm

• Prof Dr Mohamed Abdel Wahab, C.Arb, FCIArb

2:00 – 2:50pm

Panel – Impact of ODR efficiencies on the value of legal practitioners and revenue of law firm.

ODR consists of a set of tools designed to streamline arbitral, mediation and generally dispute resolution processes. The objective of ODR is to provide greater cost and time efficiency. No one doubts the importance of reducing monetary and time costs, and many jurisdictions have even undergone legal reforms that encourage traditionally slower and more costly litigation to be more efficient. Introducing technology that can satisfy these requirements is one part of the equation, but another important factor to actual implementation of faster processes lies in the economics of running a legal business. Efficiency could mean fewer billable hours. This panel will discuss the tensions underlying the efficiencies afforded by the use of ODR and the realities of maintaining a successful legal business. It will also explore the potential of aligning business interests with efficiency.

Moderator:

• Ms Teresa Cheng GBM GBS SC JP

Speakers:

• Prof Dr Mohamed Abdel Wahab, C.Arb, FCIArb
• Mr Karl Hennessee, FRAeS
• Mr Cristian Conejero Roos
• Ms Huawei Sun

2:50 – 3:00pm

Coffee Break

3:00 – 3:10pm

Sharing – Exploring the potential uses of generative AI for ODR

Generative AI is one type of AI (one which in the past year has dominated headlines) which continues to hold immense promise for the future. Generative AI is especially good at summarising information, synthesising data and subsequently generating useful content. In discovering its potential application in the context of ODR, generative AI could assist in dramatically speeding up the drafting of legal documents or the generation of personalised settlement proposals. In this short introduction which serves as a precursor to the debate to follow, Ms Sharyn Ch’ang will debunk some of the myths about generative AI, and highlight some of the benefits and risks of use of generative AI by the legal profession and those involved in ODR.

• Ms Sharyn Ch'ang, PwC, Asia Pacific, NewLaw

3:10 – 4:05pm

Debate – AI should be used in drafting arbitral awards and in mediation

AI can significantly enhance efficiency by automating tasks like summarising legal authorities, collating evidence so that the factual matrix can be interrogated, drafting of legal documents and even portions of arbitral awards. On the other hand, to what extent can the dispute resolution community, the legal industry and the wider world accept either AI-made decisions, or AI-assisted decisions, or not at all? What about allowing AI to assist with non-determinative parts of the arbitral award? And is it acceptable to use AI for generating prompts and potential settlement solutions for mediators? What about transparency, fairness, and accountability? Current ODR processes emphasise the human-element in the determinative process, but as both AI and ODR technologies evolve, striking the right balance between AI’s potential benefits and safeguarding legal rights and the sanctity of the dispute resolution process become critical. Hear this debate and see where we can draw the line.

Adjudicators:

• Mr Gary Gao
• Ms Kim Rooney
• Dr Christopher To

Speakers:

• Mr Simon Chapman KC
• Ms Jane Willems 
• Ms Amy Wen Wei
• Mr Horace Wong SC JP

4:05 – 4:15pm

• Dr Eliza Mik

4:15 – 5:00pm

Cocktail Reception