China is Australia's largest trading partner, buying AUD$90 billion of Australian exports in 2014-15. Given the significance of the Chinese market and the increase in China-Australia transactions, it is essential to be aware of ways to mitigate risk in your China-related transactions and more importantly, what to do in the event of a dispute. Edwina Kwan, Senior Associate, King & Wood Mallesons, offers valuable insights from her seven years spent on the ground as a commercial disputes lawyer in China. [...]

In conjunction with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA) and law firm King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), ADC recently hosted an ADR seminar for Chinese connected companies and lawyers. This is the first seminar presented to the Chinese business community relating to alternative dispute resolution. Increased trade between Australia and China not only provides greater opportunities to both countries, increased trade necessarily means creates more disputes across borders. [...]

Mr Maratja Dhamarrandji, from Darwin was the winner of the inaugural ATSI Mediator of the Year award. Mr Dhamarrandji has worked tirelessly for the past 10 years contributing to the field of cross-cultural mediation. His excellence both as a practitioner and interpreter enables him to play an important role in linking the systems of contemporary and traditional cultures as they seek mediation pathways to resolve conflict.  He demonstrates through his actions what it means to be a mediator with humility, [...]

In keeping with Australia’s position as a leader in the global Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) industry, the Australian Disputes Centre (ADC) held its inaugural ADR Benefit Ball & Australian ADR Awards Night on 13 August 2016. Aligning with ADC’s 30 year commitment to the advancement and promotion of best practice in ADR, the event was Australia’s first opportunity to independently recognise excellence across the ADR profession. Find out the Winners for 2016! The Australian ADR Awards night represented a coming [...]

By Marina Kofman and Anni Gao The relationship between Land Rights and Native Title is legally complex and the volume of Land Rights Claims is significant. To help us understand what is happening in this space, ADC invited three of Australia’s leading specialists in the field to discuss the legal frameworks underpinning Aboriginal land rights claims, the unique issues experienced and what ADR can offer.  Helen Shurven, Member, National Native Title Tribunal, Steven Wright, Registrar, Aboriginal Land Rights Act, and Tony McAvoy, [...]

By Deborah Lockhart Originally published in: LexisNexis | Australian Alternative Dispute Resolution Law Bulletin The India – Australia Relationship Recent years have seen remarkable growth in the trading relationship between India and Australia. Two-way trade in goods and services has grown in value from $6.8 billion in FY2003-04 to $14.8 billion in FY2013-14.[1] The Australian Government has marked the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) as one of its key priorities, with its Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb visiting India four times [...]

On Thursday 23 June, the NSW Young Lawyers’ International Law Committee in partnership with the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA) and the Australian Disputes Centre (ADC) launched its inaugural International Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Seminar Series at a delightful evening event held at the offices of Baker & McKenzie in Sydney. The aim of the project is to give Series participants, all young aspiring lawyers, a greater understanding of different areas of international dispute resolution in private law, public law and investment [...]

By Deborah Lockhart and Katlyn Kraus Originally published in: LexisNexis | Australian Alternative Dispute Resolution Law Bulletin Indonesia is the third largest democracy in the world and as the largest of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), it is an increasingly significant economic and regional partner for Australia. Particularly important for both nations is the two-way trade of goods and services, which continues to rise each year. In 2014, that trade exceeded $15.6 billion. Austrade estimates that there are over 400 [...]

Seventh Asia Pacific Mediation Forum: Synergizing Eastern and Western Constructs of Mediation towards Better Understanding In a landmark effort to establish mediation in Indonesia, the seventh Asia Pacific Mediation Forum (APMF) Conference was held in Lombok, ‘Synergizing Eastern and Western Constructs of Mediation towards Better Understanding’, between 10 - 12 February 2016. Dr Dale Bagshaw, Professor at the University of South Australia and inaugural president of the APMF, oversaw the Conference. Project SUSTAIN, a European Union and United Nations [...]