Showcase

Are lawyers aware of cultural differences and are they able to deal with them?

Presented By
Session / Workshop Chair(s)
Session Co-Chair Martin Solc
Officer Title PPID Chair
Law Firm Kocian Solc Balastik
Location Prague, Czech Republic
Session Co-Chair Meng Meng Wong SC
Law Firm WongPartnership
Location Singapore, Singapore
Description
Presented by the Public and Professional Interested Division

In the globalised economy, lawyers work on transactions involving many jurisdictions. They have to cope with a variety of legal systems and traditions, often operating in countries whose governments show little respect for the rule of law and for those who promote it, negotiate with counterparts used to different traditions of negotiating and practice temporarily under several sets of professional rules. Are those who are supposed to give guidance to their clients, even when operating abroad, always able to understand the pitfalls related to the cultural differences? Using mainly examples from Asia, the panellists will focus on key challenges facing international business lawyers when doing a cross-border deal.
Speakers
Speaker Rajiv Luthra
Law Firm Luthra & Luthra Law Offices
Location New Delhi, India
Speaker Eduardo Ramos-Gomez
Law Firm Duane Morris Singapore LLP
Location Singapore, Singapore
Keynote Speaker Hon Justice Chan Sek Keong
Law Firm Chief Justice of Singapore
Location Singapore, Singapore
Speaker Simon Tay
Law Firm Singapore Institute of International Affairs
Location Singapore, Singapore
Speaker Zhang Yuejiao
Law Firm Shantou University
Location Beijing, China
Location
Theatre, Suntec Convention Centre
Date
Monday 15 October (09:30 - 12:30)

The importance of the rule of law to international business

Presented By
Description
Presented by the Legal Practice Division

This programme examines the relationship of the rule of law and economic development, specifically through foreign investment. The session will bring together general counsel of leading multinational companies, government officials, officials of multilateral institutions and leading legal and economic scholars who have studied these issues for a robust discussion. In particular, the panellists will focus on the problems faced by international businesses when countries abandon the rule of law and the economic impact of the rule of law or its absence. For example, do companies leave or decide not to invest in countries that do not provide an effective legal regime?
The programme will also consider the effectiveness of various international protection mechanisms such as bilateral and multilateral investment treaties that provide for arbitration of disputes between investors and host nations. The effectiveness of efforts by multilateral institutions like the World Bank will also be considered. Panellists will also discuss whether foreign investors can act as institution builders and thereby contribute to the development of the rule of law through legal and judicial reform in their host countries. The programme will focus on the experience of countries in Asia, as well as the rest of the world.
Speakers
Speaker Lord Peter Goldsmith QC
Law Firm The Attorney General's Office
Location London, England
Speaker Jian'an Guo
Law Firm Ministry of Justice,
Location Nanjing, China
Speaker Bernard Hanotiau
Law Firm Hanotiau & van den Berg
Location Brussels, Belgium
Speaker Chao Hick Tin
Law Firm The Attorney - General's Chambers
Location Singapore, Singapore
Speaker Johnnie Hoffman
Law Firm Exxon Mobil Corporation
Location Houston, USA
Speaker Simone Lahorgue Nunes
Law Firm Globo Comunicacão E ParticipaÇões S/A
Location Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Speaker Kate O'Leary
Law Firm General Electrical Company Inc
Location Fairfield, USA
Speaker Richard Sauer
Law Firm Microsoft
Location Singapore, Singapore
Speaker Vidhi Tambiah
Law Firm World Economic Forum
Location Geneva, Switzerland
Location
Theatre, Suntec Convention Centre
Date
Wednesday 17 October (09:30 - 12:30)

The many faces of corruption - efforts, challenges and opportunities for the future

Presented By
Session / Workshop Chair(s)
Session Co-Chair Emilio Cárdenas
Officer Title Co-Chair Human Rights Institute
Location Buenos Aires, Argentina
Session Co-Chair Homer Moyer Jr
Officer Title Chair Anti-Corruption Committee
Law Firm Miller & Chevalier
Location Washington, USA
Description
Presented by the Human Rights Institute

The face of corruption can take many forms. Despite significant international advances in the field, the recent Oil for Food Enquiry has illustrated that corruption occurs in both developed and developing countries alike.
From extortion in the awarding of public contracts to the many and contrasting challenges faced by Eastern and Western European countries in the EU accession process, speakers will analyse the distinct problems that exist in different social and political frameworks across the globe. Questions for consideration include: the complexities of addressing judicial corruption; the effectiveness of international instruments such as the UN Convention Against Corruption and the OECD Convention on Combatting Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions; and the implementation of national anti-corruption strategies on the ground. The session will highlight some of the key developments in the global struggle against corruption and will use various case studies to identify obstacles and opportunities for future progress.
Speakers
Speaker Timothy Dickinson
Officer Title HRI Council Member
Law Firm Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker LLP
Location Washington, USA
Speaker Daniel Fung
Law Firm Des Voeux Chambers
Location Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
Speaker Justice Richard J Goldstone
Officer Title Co-Chair Human Rights Institute
Location Morningside, South Africa
Speaker Assya Kavrakova
Law Firm Open Society Institute
Location Sofia, Bulgaria
Speaker Angela Keller-Herzog
Law Firm Transparency International
Location Berlin, Germany
Location
Theatre, Suntec Convention Centre
Date
Wednesday 17 October (14:30 - 17:30)

IBA Home   |    About the IBA   |    About this site   |    Sitemap   |    Recruitment   |    Contact us

The International Bar Association is not responsible for the content or reliability of any websites linked to from its site, and cannot accept liability for any damage or loss arising from reliance on such websites. Links to third party information should not be taken as endorsement of any kind.
We cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time and we have no control over the availability of the linked pages.


10th Floor, 1 Stephen Street, London W1T 1AT, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7691 6868   |   Fax: +44 (0)20 7691 6544

© 2004 - 2007 International Bar Association
Site powered by e-mango
Design © International Bar Association