HK45/MARC Event:

The HK45 organised an evening seminar in collaboration with MARC on 25 October 2017 in Hong Kong, at the seat of the HKIAC, following the Hong Kong Arbitration week. Themed 'The Arbitration Landscape of Mauritius and the MCCI Experience', the event provided an opportunity to showcase Mauritius as a favorable arbitration seat and to present major changes at the MCCI Arbitration and Mediation Center (MARC), in particular the setting up of its new MARC Court, presided by Neil Kaplan, CBE, QC, SBS.  Thomas Furlong, co-chair of HK45 and senior associate at Herbert Smith Freehills, highlighted in his welcome address the promising developments being implemented at the MARC. Neil Kaplan, President of the MARC Court, recalled in his keynote speech, how he got involved in this challenging and exciting project and his confidence that MARC is on its way to become a key center in the IO Region. Anjana Khemraz, Secretary-General of  MARC talked about Mauritius's strategic position as a neutral dispute solution provider between Asia and Africa before introducing key features of MARC's background, support services and facilities, as well as the MARC Court's functions and its members. Jamsheed Peeroo, barrister at Peeroo Chambers and member of the MARC Advisory Board, talked about the salient aspects of the legal framework for arbitration in Mauritius. Cheng Yee Khong, member of the MARC Court, spoke about the rules revision process, and some innovative features which the new MARC rules propose to include.  Dipna Gunnoo, barrister at PLCJ and member of the MARC 45 committee spoke about the MARC45 initiative, launched in July 2017. The event was followed by a networking cocktail. As MARC continues on its development curve, what we take from this event is the powerful synergy created from a collaborative and inclusive approach towards creating the right conditions and parameters for arbitrations to be conducted efficiently and ethically in Mauritius and in the Region.