Visit to the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre

On 16 February 2009, The Sir TL Yang Society visited the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre at Two Exchange Square in Central.

The students attended a presentation on how mediation works in Hong Kong. Mr. Oscar Tan, who was involved with the resolution of the Lehman Minibonds dispute, shared his practical experiences as a mediator, highlighting the need for lawyers and mediators to devise creative solutions to solve problems that are not always suitable for litigation.

Students asked questions about the practice of mediation, including confidentiality issues, the specific workings of the mediation procedures, the power imbalance between the parties and the mediator's role in ensuring a fair chance for both sides' views to be heard and considered.

By the end of the visit many students were inspired to become mediators. They also expressed the view that mediation is a fascinating area in the developing legal landscape of Hong Kong.