Our Partners, Helena Chen and Alison Chang, Were Honored to Deliver the Opening and Closing Remarks at a significant event : “Dispute Resolution – A Dialogue with Arbitrators and Arbitral Institutions

On 6 June 2025, the Attorneys Academy and ADR Committee of the Taiwan Bar Association (TWBA), the Chinese Arbitration Association, Taipei (CAA), the Taiwan Chapter of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators East Asia Branch (Ciarb Taiwan Chapter), and the Kaohsiung Bar Association at the Kaohsiung Office of CAA (CAA Kaohsiung Office) co-organized an in-person event: “Dispute Resolution – A Dialogue with Arbitrators and Arbitral Institutions.” The event featured a panel of distinguished speakers, each a leader in their respective fields: Dr Huan Lin, Secretary General of the CAA; Ms Corrina Lo, Supervisor of the CAA Kaohsiung Office; Joy Pao, Esq., Vice Chair of the TWBA ADR Committee; and Peter Chen, Esq. ACIArb, Member of the TWBA ADR Committee. Their insights, shared from either an institutional or an arbitrator’s perspective, provided a wealth of knowledge and practical advice. Moderated by Chia-Hsin Wu, Esq. MCIArb, Member of the TWBA ADR Committee, the dialogue offered rich, practical discussions and lively exchanges between speakers and participants. The audience responded enthusiastically, with many expressing strong interest in continuing the conversation beyond the scheduled time.

The dialogue featured opening remarks from our Partner, Alison Chang, Esq. FCIArb, Convenor of Ciarb Taiwan Chapter and Vice Chair of the TWBA ADR Committee; Florence Lee, Esq., President of the Taiwan Bar Association; and Michelle Yeh, Esq., President of the Kaohsiung Bar Association. They praised the close long-term collaboration between the TWBA and CAA, in particular their continuing joint efforts in co-organizing “Taiwan Arbitration Week” in recent years. Notably, the opening ceremonies of Taiwan Arbitration Week have been held twice in Kaohsiung with strong support from the Kaohsiung Bar Association, reflecting a solid foundation for cooperation. These efforts have deepened Southern Taiwan legal professionals’ interest and engagement in international arbitration and have continuously promoted the exchange of experiences in arbitration practices and the development of the arbitral legal framework.

Dr Huan Lin opened the dialogue with a comprehensive overview of the arbitration framework in Taiwan, emphasizing its neutrality, professionalism, and efficiency. He encouraged participants to step outside of conventional legal thinking and embrace the flexibility and creativity that arbitration allows. Joy Pao, Esq., shared insights from her personal experience, offering advice on how young practitioners might approach their first arbitration case. She also encouraged younger lawyers to register on the list of arbitrators to cultivate hands-on experience. Peter Chen, Esq. ACIArb, drew upon his extensive experience in resolving commercial disputes to examine common pitfalls in the drafting of arbitration clauses, stressing the importance of both enforceability and practical effectiveness in contract design. Ms Corrina Lo spoke on the institutional advantages of administered arbitration, including confidentiality, clear cost structures, and procedural efficiency. She also elaborated on the CAA's role in delivering professional arbitration services and supporting the broader ADR ecosystem.

The dialogue concluded with a powerful message from our Managing Partner Dr Helena Chen C.Arb FCIArb. She encouraged lawyers to actively engage with both theoretical and practical aspects of arbitration, stay informed about institutional developments, and contribute to the diversified growth of Taiwan’s dispute resolution landscape. Her message resonated with the audience, urging them to embrace a blue ocean strategy in legal practice.

Group photo with opening speakers, panelists, moderator, and attendees

From left to right: Chia-Hsin Wu, Esq., MCIArb (Member of TWBA ADR Committee); Michelle Yeh, Esq. (President of Kaohsiung Bar Association); Florence Lee, Esq. (President of Taiwan Bar Association); Dr Helena Chen, C.Arb FCIArb (Managing Partner at Chen & Chang and former Convenor of Ciarb Taiwan Chapter); Alison Chang, Esq., FCIArb (Partner at Chen & Chang, Convenor of Ciarb Taiwan Chapter and Vice Chair of the ADR Committee of the Taiwan Bar Association); Dr Huan Lin (Secretary General of CAA); Corrina Lo (Supervisor of CAA Kaohsiung Office); Peter Chen, Esq., ACIArb (Member of TWBA ADR Committee); Joy Pao, Esq. (Vice Chair of TWBA ADR Committee)