Helena Successfully Moderated the Conference on “Latest Developments and Challenges in International Commercial Arbitration”

On 5 May 2026, the Taiwan Chapter of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators East Asia Branch (“Ciarb Taiwan Chapter”), the Attorneys Academy and ADR Committee of the Taiwan Bar Association (“TWBA”), and the Chinese Arbitration Association, Taipei (“CAA”) co-organized the Conference on “Latest Developments and Challenges in International Commercial Arbitration” at the CAA. The Conference featured Mr Jingzhou Tao, Independent Arbitrator at Arbitration Chambers, as the keynote speaker, with Dr Fuldien Li, President of the CAA Court of Arbitration, and Ms Lillian Chu, Executive Director of the CAA, serving as commentators. The Conference was moderated by Dr Helena Chen C.Arb FCIArb, Chair of the ADR Committee of the TWBA, and proceeded smoothly with lively discussion throughout.

The Conference began with opening remarks delivered by Prof Joe Y. C. Wu, Chairman of the CAA, who introduced Mr Tao’s extensive experience and distinguished reputation in the field of international arbitration.

Mr Tao’s presentation was structured around two main themes: “Latest Developments” and “Challenges” in international commercial arbitration. On “Latest Developments,” he focused on recent amendments to the arbitration laws of the United Kingdom and China, as well as proposed directions for amendments to French arbitration law, offering an in-depth analysis of developments in the arbitration regimes of these jurisdictions. He also referred to the SIAC 2025 Rules as an example of the broader trend among international arbitral institutions toward more streamlined and efficient procedural frameworks. Mr Tao then addressed the “Challenges” facing international commercial arbitration, highlighting two issues of particular relevance: the appropriate use of artificial intelligence in arbitral proceedings, and the impact of measures perceived as unfriendly to arbitration adopted by Russia following the Russia-Ukraine war on the international arbitration landscape.

Commentator Ms Lillian Chu shared practical insights on the actual benefits of reforms aimed at expediting proceedings and the application of IBA soft law in practice. Dr Fuldien Li approached the topic from historical and comparative law perspectives, discussing how the common law and civil law traditions have shaped the development of arbitration frameworks, and encouraged Taiwanese legal practitioners to further deepen their understanding of international arbitration.

Participants raised questions and shared their views during the Q&A session. At the close of the Conference, Dr Helena Chen expressed her sincere appreciation to the speaker and commentators for their generous and detailed sharing, and encouraged Taiwanese legal practitioners to continue following the latest developments in international arbitration.

#國際仲裁眾才國際

From left to right: Helena Chen C.Arb FCIArb PhD, Chair of the ADR Committee of the TWBA; Ms Lillian Chu, Executive Director of the CAA; Prof Joe Y. C. Wu, Chairman of the CAA; Mr Jingzhou Tao, Independent Arbitrator at Arbitration Chambers; Mr Nigel N.T. Li, Honorary Chairman of the CAA; and Dr Fuldien Li, President of the CAA Court of Arbitration.