Ukrainian Arbitration Association Runs the First International Arbitration School in Ukraine

On 5-9 August the Ukrainian Arbitration Association (the “UAA”) ran an intensive five-day arbitration programme of the First Summer School in International Arbitration organised jointly with the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy’s Faculty of Law (“UKMA”).

The event has been part of the educational activities of the UAA, which was launched a year ago to extend knowledge and exchange experience in international arbitration, facilitate and support interest in international arbitration, enhance cooperation and communication among practitioners in international arbitration around the world as well as to promote Ukraine and Kiev in particular, as the seat of arbitration.

Other UAA activities

Other educational activities of the UAA included discussions regarding professional ethics in international arbitration co-organised with the Ukrainian Bar Association in February 2013, the meeting with the Chairman of the Cyprus-Eurasia Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Center (CEDRAC), professor Loukas Mistelis in January 2013, support and a special prize to the best speaker in the Ukrainian competition on international arbitration, which was held under the auspices of the European Arbitration Chamber (Brussels, Belgium) in March 2013.

Beside these activities, the Ukrainian Arbitration Association co-organised two roundtables and the Arbitration Forum to discuss with the Ukrainian arbitration community urgent measures to improve Ukrainian legislation and court practice in arbitration-related matters. Following the public discussion the UAA established the working group to develop a draft law amending a number of legislative acts of Ukraine in the field of international and domestic arbitration. Another working group was launched to promote ad hoc arbitration in Ukraine.

School’s Curriculum and Teachers

The UAA Summer School was the first educational event of such kind in the field of international arbitration ever held in Ukraine.

The School’s curriculum encompassed general and specialised courses in arbitration. It consisted of five sections covering key topics in international arbitration.

General topics included a discussion on the nature and characteristics of an arbitration agreement, questions relating to drafting international arbitration agreements, appointment and challenge of arbitrators, governing procedural rules in international arbitration, evidence and burden of proof, interim measures, setting aside and recognition and enforcement of international arbitral awards.  Instructors included Tatyana Slipachuk (Sayenko Kharenko, UAA President), Yuliya Chernykh (ARBITRADE, UAA Board Member), Sergiy Gryshko (CMS Cameron McKenna (Kiev)), Olena Perepelynska (Sayenko Kharenko, UAA Board Member), Andrey Panov (Norton Rose Fulbright (Moscow)), Iegor Sierov (ARBITRADE), Ihor Siusel (Baker & McKenzie (Kiev)), Volodymyr Yaremko (Arzinger (Kiev)).

Specialised courses covered arbitration in construction, trade commodities and maritime, sports and international investment issues in international arbitration, taught by Rafal Morek (K&L Gates (Warsaw)), Ivan Kasynyuk (AGA Partners), Ekaterina Kobrin (Baker & McKenzie (Moscow)), Anton Sotir (the Football Federation of Ukraine). The participants also had the opportunity to develop practical understanding of the functioning of international investment arbitration through a case study on the last day of the programme led by Dmytro Marchukov (EPAP (Kiev)).

To diversify the learning experience of the participants, the programme included a visit to the International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a meeting with its President Mr. Selivon, who delivered a lecture on the history of the ICAC and arbitration law of Ukraine.

Feedback and the UAA plans

Ukrainian and foreign participants appreciated an opportunity to learn about the vital field of international commercial arbitration and gain theoretical and practical understanding of arbitration as an efficient and effective mode of dispute resolution.

“It was a really enjoyable event, interesting and important for future lawyers – in many ways”; “I appreciate a chance of being involved in such interactive, professional, practice-oriented course” – commented the participants. Following the feedback from the participants of the event and Ukrainian arbitration community the UAA plans to organise such Summer Schools annually.