KUALA LUMPUR – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said yesterday witnessed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) in Kuala Lumpur and the School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS) University of London Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Centre (SADRC) in London.
AIAC, in a statement, said the MoU is aimed at advancing collaboration and promoting best practices in alternative dispute resolution techniques, including arbitration.
The MoU will see the AIAC and SADRC further develop teaching and research activities in alternative dispute resolution in line with international best practice, to coordinate efforts to promote the use of alternative dispute resolution, the statement added.
Azalina said in the statement that the United Kingdom and Malaysia have a long shared history of collaborating to tackle mutual challenges, and the signing of the MoU between AIAC and SADRC underscores the depth of the two countries’ relationship and commitment to advancing global best practices in arbitration.
The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Datuk Zakri Jaafar, Solicitor General II of the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia Datuk Almalena Sharmila Johan, and Deputy Director-General of the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department Punitha Silvarajoo.
The head of legal services, trade and promotion at the UK Justice Ministry, Holly O’Callaghan, who was present, offered the UK government’s support, according to the statement.
AIAC director Sundra Rajoo said this innovative partnership can enhance joint efforts to promote best practices in alternative dispute resolution, benefiting not only the UK and Malaysia but also the broader Asian and African region.
SADRC director and SOAS professor of international commercial law Emilia Onyema said SADRC is proud to become a partner of the AIAC.
“Through signing this MoU, we hope to promote alternative dispute resolution techniques in our SOAS regions, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, and particularly Malaysia, and learn from our shared experience,” she added.
According to the AIAC, the collaboration would include steps to encourage, enhance, and promote areas of cooperation, including joint courses and training, joint research programmes, and the contribution of expertise by researchers, panellists, speakers, and guest lecturers to initiatives that share common goals.
Other areas of cooperation are the publication of academic journals, books, and newsletters; student internship programmes; and organising or hosting joint conferences, workshops, seminars, and forums.
The statement said that in addition to arbitration, the two centres have committed to promoting Islamic arbitration, sports arbitration, mediation, adjudication, and domain name dispute resolution as alternative dispute resolution methods.
AIAC said the MoU signing comes ahead of the inaugural London International Arbitration Colloquium, which will take place on Monday at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London to consider the role of international arbitration involving sovereign states.
Over the course of three panel sessions, guests will hear expert insights on jurisdictional challenges in investment arbitration, the impact of investment claims on states and their sovereignty, and the role of third-party funding in access to justice. – September 22, 2023