APCAM INTERNATIONAL ADR SUMMIT

DAY – 1 : 

The recently held Asia Pacific Centre for Arbitration and Mediation Center (APCAM) International ADR Summit, hosted at Le Meridian, New Delhi, marked the first of its kind event. The two-day event commenced with a captivating inauguration that drew the presence of esteemed professionals from across the globe. The day commenced with the introduction of the APCAM summit given by Ms. Iram Majid, Executive director of the APCAM. Mr. Anil Xavier, chairman of the APCAM welcomed the esteemed guest and delegates from all over the globe. Honourable Mr. Justice Surya Kant delivered the inaugural address, shedding light on the profound significance of Alternative Dispute Resolution within the Asia Pacific region.

Furthermore, inaugural messages were shared by Ms Anna Joubin-Bret, the Secretary of the United Nations, Mr Justice (Retd.) M.N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India, and Justice Andrew Cheung, Chief Justice of Hong Kong among others.

Felicitation was carried for Ms. Athita Komindr, Head of UNCITRAL Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Lalit Bhasin, Chair CIArb India and Mr. Chetan Sharma, Additional Solicitor General of Delhi High Court.

Shortly after the inaugural address, the vice-chairman of APCAM, Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari gave the vote of thanks to the audience and marked the beginning of the 1st session.

The event's inaugural day unfolded with a dynamic agenda comprising three engaging sessions. The first session, was chaired by Hon’ble Mr. Justice S.R. Bhat, and moderated by Mr. Anil Xavier, Chairman of APCAM, India. The session discussed about the role of arbitral institutions in facilitation international business transactions.

The second session commenced, focusing on the theme “Arbitration: Enhancing Value and Meeting User Expectations with Finesse.” The session was chaired by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Hemant Gupta and moderated by Ms. Iram Majid, Executive Director APCAM.

The day's final session, titled "Exploring Unchartered Terrain: An Examination of Novel Disputes in ADR," was chaired by Mr. Justice Vibhu Bakhru and moderated by Ms Delcy Lagones, Director ADRC, Australia.

The culmination of the first day was marked by an esteemed Award night, where exceptional individuals and organizations were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the field of ADR. Following the award ceremony, attendees were treated to a mesmerizing cultural performance that enthralled the audience. The day culminated with a grand Gala Dinner, providing a delightful conclusion to the first day of the event.

DAY – 2 : APCAM INTERNATIONAL ADR SUMMIT

Continuing the remarkable momentum of the APCAM International ADR Summit 2023, the second day unfolded with utmost elegance. The day's agenda consisted of five thought-provoking sessions, each dedicated to a unique theme of utmost contemporary relevance.

The conference commenced with the first session, titled "Breaking the Mould: Innovating ADR Professionalism Standards for Future Success," skilfully chaired by the esteemed Mr. Justice Manmohan and moderated by Mr. D. Saravanan.

The second session, gracefully chaired by the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Prateek Jalan, revolved around the theme "The Tech Resolution: An Exploration of ADR in the Digital World." Mr. Chirag Balyan, Asst. Professor, MNLU, moderated the session and delved into the conundrum of complexity that the technology brings forth with itself.

The third session discussed the emergence of a new era in dispute resolution by assessing the role of ADR professionals." The session was skillfully chaired by the Hon’ble Ms. Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya and moderated by Mr. Arush Khanna, Partner, Numen Law Offices, New Delhi.

Chaired by the Hon’ble Mr. Justice P.S. Narasimha, the fourth session delved into the theme "Navigating Intercultural Conflicts: A Protocol for Designing Cross-Border Dispute Resolution Processes." The session moderated by Ms. Nadja Alexander, Director at SIDRA Singapore.

The finale session of the day unfolded the theme "Achieving Gender Equality in ADR,” and was graced by the presence of Hon’ble Ms. Justice B.V. Nagarathna. She highlighted the present condition of females in the legal field and offered critical suggestions to address this challenge. This panel was moderated by Ms. Shruti Sabharwal, Partner at Amarchand Mangaldas, India.

The event was gracefully concluded with a valedictory session, followed by closing remarks delivered by Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bhukari, vice-chair of APCAM, Malaysia. With an abundance of knowledge gained and a newfound appreciation for the significance of ADR, attendees departed the APCAM International ADR Summit 2023, cherishing the memory of a truly phenomenal success.

AWARD CEREMONY

The esteemed APCAM Awards Ceremony took place on May 6, 2023, at the Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi. The event was organized to celebrate and honor the exceptional accomplishments of individuals and institutions in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) sector. The illustrious gathering was graced by the presence of the Honorable Justice B.R. Gavai, Judge, Supreme Court of India. With over 300 attendees, including nominees, sponsors, and international delegates, the ceremony proved to be a momentous occasion.

The evening commenced with an enchanting cultural performance delivered by a talented group of students, captivating the audience. The awards ceremony highlighted the remarkable achievements of the nominees and the ultimate winners in their respective categories, reflecting the dedication and hard work of each individual and institution. The event concluded with a lavish Gala Dinner, allowing attendees the opportunity to network, socialize, and forge new professional connections.

Awards were conferred upon distinguished individuals and institutions in the following categories:

1. The "Mediation Pioneer Award 2023" was graciously bestowed upon Mr. Niranjan Bhat of India, honoring his leadership in founding and nurturing the development of mediation in the country.
2. The "Leading ADR Specialist Award (Female) 2023" was graciously bestowed upon Mrs. Mohini Bhat of India, acknowledging her exceptional performance as an ADR practitioner in both domestic and international disputes.
3. The "Outstanding Mediation Expert Award (Male) 2023" was graciously bestowed upon Mr. Shriram Panchu of India, acknowledging his exceptional performance as a mediator in both domestic and international disputes.
4. The "ADR Innovation in Legal Education Award 2023" was graciously bestowed upon Manipal University School of Law in India, recognizing their excellence in academia within the realms of mediation and arbitration, and integrating legal education with access to justice.
5. The "Young ADR Academic of the Year Award 2023" was conferred upon Prof. Akash Gupta of India, acknowledging his outstanding contributions to academia in the field of ADR, inspiring students to develop an interest in the subject.
6. The "Outstanding Mediation Expert Award (Female) 2023" was graciously bestowed upon Mrs. Sadhana Ramachandran of India, acknowledging her exceptional performance as a mediator in both domestic and international disputes.
7. The "Leading ADR User Award 2023" was graciously bestowed upon Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) of India, honoring their innovative performance as an Alternative Dispute Resolution User, promoting positive business relationships.
8. The "Leading International Arbitrator Award 2023" was graciously bestowed upon Mr. Datuk Sundra Rajoo of Malaysia, acknowledging his exceptional performance as an arbitrator in both domestic and international disputes.
9. The Outstanding ADR Educator Award, 2023 was graciously bestowed upon Prof. Chirag Balyan of India, recognizing his outstanding contributions to academia in the field of ADR, inspiring students to develop an interest in the subject.
10. The Excellence in Mediation Education Award, 2023 was graciously bestowed upon Central Law School of India, acknowledging their excellence in academia within the realms of mediation, inspiring students to pursue professional mediation as a career.
11. The "Outstanding Arbitration Expert Award (Male) 2023" was graciously bestowed upon Dr. Lalit Bhasin of India, acknowledging his exceptional performance as an arbitration expert in both domestic and international disputes.
12. The "Outstanding International ADR Educator Award 2023" was graciously bestowed upon Ms. Nadja Alexander of Hong Kong, recognizing her outstanding contributions to academia in the field of mediation, encouraging participants to engage with and develop an interest in mediation.
13. The "Leading International Arbitration Expert Award 2023" was graciously bestowed upon Mr. Samuel Wong, honoring his exceptional performance as an arbitrator in both domestic and international disputes.
14. The "Outstanding Regional Mediation Expert Award 2023" was graciously bestowed upon Dr. Kumar Sharma Acharya of Nepal, acknowledging his exceptional performance as a mediation expert in domestic disputes.
15. The "ADR Institutional Administration Award 2023" was graciously bestowed upon Ms. Iram Majid of India, honoring her outstanding performance as an ADR expert in promoting and popularizing institutional ADR.

The APCAM Awards Ceremony was a testament to the dedication, perseverance, and accomplishments of these remarkable individuals and institutions in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution. By acknowledging their achievements, the awards aim to inspire future generations of practitioners and scholars to excel in the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of ADR.