Half-Year November Conference
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
16 November 2021 - 19 November 2021
TRACK #1 - International Disputes 2021: Tackling New Challenges Resolving Disputes in the Post-Covid World
Tuesday 16 November 2021 | |
| 14:30 » 20:00 | Registration & open welcome desk |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | Antitrust Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | International Business Law Commission (IBLC) + Sports Law Sub-Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | International Arbitration Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | Skills, Career, Innovation, Leadership and Learning (SCILL) Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | Transport Law Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 18:30 | AIJA Commission meetings |
| 16:00 » 17:00 | Real Estate Commission meeting - online |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Banking, Finance and Capital Markets (BFCM) Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Commercial Fraud Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Environment & Energy Law Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | International Private Clients and Family Law Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Intellectual Property, Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (IPTMT) Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Labour Law Commission + Immigration Law Sub-Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Corporate and M&A Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | In-house counsel Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Insolvency Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Litigation & Insolvency Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Tax Law Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | T.R.A.D.E. (Trade, Retail, Agency, Distribution, E-commerce) Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Healthcare and Life Sciences Commission meeting |
| 18:30 » 19:30 | National Representatives Committee (NPC) meeting |
| 19:30 » 21:30 | Welcome Reception @ Pool deck - V Hotel, Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City Get a scenic view of the Dubai Water Canal and skylines and feel mesmerised by the Middle Eastern aura and a refreshing experience while networking with other AIJA participants. |
Wednesday 17 November 2021 | |
| 07:00 » 08:00 | AIJA Run for Human Rights organised in partnership with the Emirates Human Rights Studies Center (EHRSC) |
| 08:00 » 19:00 | Registration & open welcome desk |
| 09:00 » 09:10 | Welcome to the Half-Year November Conference Anna Wyrzykowska, WKB Wierciński, Kwieciński, Baehr & AIJA President, Poland Omar Al Heloo, Hadef & Partners LLC, United Arab Emirates Aline von Düring, AvD Legal, United Arab Emirates |
| 09:10 » 09:45 | Welcome plenary keynote address Hessa Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary of Social Development, United Arab Emirates |
| 09:45 » 10:00 | Transfer to respective track rooms |
| 10:00 » 11:15 | Session 1 - Commercial Courts and Innovation Both courts and arbitration institutions in the Middle Eastern region have in recent years modernised and expanded, to facilitate and attract commercial cases and international users. The session will highlight key developments in the GCC countries’ courts and arbitration institutions. This session is organised by the Organising Committee. Moderator: Karim Mahmoud, Hadef & Partners LLC, United Arab Emirates Speakers: H.E. Justice Ali Shamis Al Madhani, DIFC Courts, United Arab Emirates Pavel Kalev, Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), United Arab Emirates Hamed Merah, Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration, Saudi Arabia |
| 11:15 » 11:45 | Coffee break |
| 11:45 » 13:00 | Session 2 - A Practical Guide to Litigating in the UAE and GCC The legal systems of the GCC nations have progressively changed and development in the past decades. Resulting beneficial to investors and businesses, decreasing risks, and increasing more conventional legal protections. In this session get an overview of the UAE and GCC legal systems, and practical tips on serving and enforcing in the UAE. An opportunity to learn the Middle Eastern approach on governance and law. This session is organised by the Litigation Commission. Moderator: Rosie Wild, Cooke, Young & Keidan LLP, United Kingdom Speakers: Ahmad Alkhamees, Harasani & Alkhanees Law firm, Saudi Arabia Taiba Alsafar, Al Tamimi & Co, Dubai DIFC, United Arab Emirates Ahmed Ragab Al Kotby, ADG Legal, United Arab Emirates Daniel Smith, Trowers & Hamlins, United Arab Emirates Hamdan AlShamsi, Hamdan AlShamsi Lawyers and Legal Consultants, United Arab Emirates |
| 13:00 » 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 » 15:15 | Session 3 - Innovations in Reconciling Governing Laws and Jurisdictions In the GCC countries, arbitration procedures are encouraged to resolve disputes, with a preference for local as opposed to overseas procedures and facilities. The Shari’a courts and the body of Shari’a law are restricted to family matters, succession, property and to some extent torts and criminal law. In commercial matters, one way or another Shari’a interests are normally recognized, although with limitations. In this session, discover how GCC judges and arbitrators reconcile Shari’a and civil and common law systems. This session is organised by the Organising Committee. Moderator: Ned Beale, Hausfeld & Co LLP, United Kingdom Speakers: Dr. Majed Al Rasheed, former Secretary General of the Bankruptcy Committee in KSA and former CEO of the Saudi Commercial Arbitration Centre and former Secretary General of Sharia Board at Albilad Bank Zahra Rose Khawaja, Dentons, United Arab Emirates Matthew Watson, 3 Verulam Buildings, United Kingdom Stéphane de Navacelle, Navacelle Avocats, France |
| 15:15 » 15:45 | Coffee break |
| 15:45 » 17:00 | Session 4 - Brave New Insolvency World Learn the new GCC insolvency laws and how they facilitate fraud and asset recovery claims With time Gulf nations had recognised the need to take new initiatives and move towards modern, recognisable insolvency regimes, which contain modern restructuring tools for businesses facing distress. Know the new laws that changing the landscape for restructuring. This session is organised by the Commercial Fraud and Insolvency Commissions. Moderators: Adam Flacks, LK Law LLP, United Kingdom Paulo Nasser, M Nasser Dispute Resolution, Brazil Speakers: Sub-session 1 – “Getting to grips with insolvency in the GCC – Local experiences and insights” Nasser Al Osaiba, Global Advocacy & Legal Counsel , United Arab Emirates Karim Labban, Deloitte, United Arab Emirates Oliver Assersohn, XXIV Old Buildings, United Arab Emirate Sub-session 2 – “An interview with Simon Charlton, Chief Restructuring Officer and Acting CEO of Ahmad Hamad Algosaibi & Brothers Company” Simon Charlton, Chief Restructuring Officer and Acting CEO of Ahmad Hamad Algosaibi & Brothers Company Sub-session 3 – “In and out of the Gulf – Insolvencies and Asset Recovery” Aylin Güney King, Bonnard Lawson, Switzerland Jennifer Fox, Ogier, Cayman Islands |
| 17:15 » 18:15 | First Timers gathering |
| 17:15 » 18:15 | AIJA Women Network Session - Women Business Leaders in the Middle East Join the AIJA Women Network for a candid panel discussion to hear a first-hand perspective from professional women working in the Middle East. This is an opportunity to hear about the start of their professional journey and the opportunities, challenges and choices that they have faced along that journey allowing them to excel to their fullest potential. Our speakers will also share their perspective on the essential ingredients to harness the future success of women business leaders in the region. Moderator Paola Fudakowska, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, United Kingdom Speakers: Masha Ooijevaar, Commercial and data privacy lawyer at Clyde & Co, Dubai and Chair of the Outreach subcommittee of the IBA Young Lawyers Committee, United Arab Emirates Farida El Agamy, General Manager of the Tharawat Family Business Forum, co-founder of Kyma and co-founder of the Women in Family Business platform, United Arab Emirates Anita Weija-Caruba, Associate Director, Strategy Policy and Risk at the Dubai Financial Services Authority, United Arab Emirates Fatima Hussain, Partner Designate at Mahmood Hussain Advocates and Legal Consultancy (MHLF), United Arab Emirates |
| 19:00 » 19:30 | Transfer by bus to the Armani Pavilion |
| 19:30 » 23:30 | Conference Dinner @ Armani Pavilion The Armani Pavilion is a stunning outdoor terrace set amidst gardens and water features at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, facing the Dubai fountain. The location is slightly elevated providing a perfect view over the world’s largest dancing fountains at the same time as Burj Khalifa stands as spectacular backdrop of the venue. |
Thursday 18 November 2021 | |
| 08:45 » 09:45 | Joint Officers of the Commissions Committee (OCC) + Academic Programme Committee (APC) meeting |
| 09:00 » 18:00 | Registration & open welcome desk |
| 10:00 » 11:15 | Session 5 - Impact of the Global Pandemic on Construction Disputes Construction projects in the Middle East and elsewhere have experienced substantial delays or come to a complete stop due to the pandemic. The reasons are manifold: government orders, shortages of materials, or social distance measures, to name a few. Know what practical and legal issues arise in connection with pandemic-related delay and disruption claims – and what are future trends and developments in the resolution of those claims? This session is organised by the International Arbitration Commission. Moderator: Lukas Rusch, Pestalozzi Attorneys at Law, Switzerland Speakers: Mads Fuglesang, Advokatfirmaet Selmer AS, Norway Chatura Randeniya, Afridi & Angell, United Arab Emirates Robert Burns, FTI Consulting, United Arab Emirates |
| 11:15 » 11:45 | Coffee break |
| 11:45 » 13:00 | Joint Session - Energy and Environment – Facing Up to the Climate Crisis We are now seeing an increased sense of global urgency and public awareness around climate change, related risks, and litigation cases. Individuals and firms are now pursuing judicial remedies and using litigation as a tool to increase pressure on governments and industries to act in protecting the environment and bring an evolution in the fields of energy production, infrastructure development, transportation, carbon-intensive sectors and more. In this session, learn how the energy sector is grappling with the climate crises, and the role of litigation in driving change. The session is organised by the Environmental and Energy Law Commission. Moderator: Daria Capotorto, Tonucci & Partners, Italy Speakers: General overview of litigation and arbitration process in the energy field Giuseppe Salsarulo, Donativi e Associati, Italy Carbon impact and litigation Gianluca Albe, A&A Studio Legale, Italy Kenya case history: the role of litigation Evelyne Mbula Nzuki, MN Legal, Kenya Constitutional climate litigation in Germany Stephan Korte, Cleantech Law Partners, Germany |
| 13:00 » 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 » 15:15 | Skills, Career, Innovation, Leadership and Learning (SCILL) Session 1 The need for change is at the forefront for business globally and the same exists for the law firms and professionals. Embracing new tools, skills, technology, and models can strengthen transparency, accountability, client relationship, business models, communication plans, cross cultural negotiations and much more. The sessions will provide insights on how to improve legal practices and negotiation tactics in in a multicultural context. Strategies to Improve Your Business Law Practice This joint session will start with an interactive discussion of the global developments in the legal market and how this affects different types of law firms and practices combined with interactive tools incl. surveys. The Keynote speaker for the first part of this session is Robert van Beemen. These global developments also challenge law firms to find new and different ways to work and to collaborate. Therefore, in the second part of this session, Ondřej Dvořák will give a Keynote on how law firms can better achieve their targets with the help of agility. We will learn how to build the culture of a sustainable law firm. We will discuss how to create an environment where teamwork is valued and where you will gain improved visibility over your firm’s collective workload. We will also discuss how to move away from emails to other more effective means of communication. Moderators: Friederike Henke, Buren N.V., The Netherlands Max Mailliet, E2M - Etude Max Mailliet, Luxembourg Speakers: Robert van Beemen, Venturis Consulting Group, The Netherlands Ondřej Dvořák, AgiLawyer, Czech Republic |
| 15:15 » 15:45 | Coffee Break |
| 15:45 » 17:00 | Skills, Career, Innovation, Leadership and Learning (SCILL) Session 2 Navigating cross cultural negotiations It is said that culture can have a profound influence on negotiation style. This session will explore the concept of negotiation at its deepest level: a meaningful conversation. Conversations build relations, create emotions, influence attitudes and, in the long run determine the outcome of every human interaction. The session will provide insights on how to improve our capacity to lead meaningful conversations, to create trust and understanding between parties. The need for change is at the forefront for business globally and the same exists for the law firms and professionals. Leading meaningful conversations can strengthen transparency, accountability, client relationship, business models, communication plans, cross cultural negotiations and much more. Moderators: Friederike Henke, Buren N.V., The Netherlands Max Mailliet, E2M - Etude Max Mailliet, Luxembourg Speakers: Pascal Jossi, soul.com, Luxembourg Mahmud Samandari, soul.com, United Arab Emirates |
| 17:45 » 18:30 | Transfer by bus to EXPO |
| 18:30 » 02:00 | DUBAI WORLD EXPO EXPERIENCE – free evening @EXPO site (closing time: 2:00AM) |
Friday 19 November 2021 | |
| 09:00 » 13:00 | Registration & open welcome desk |
| 11:00 » 11:30 | Coffee Break |
| 11:30 » 13:00 | Executive Committee meeting |
| 14:15 » 23:45 | Dubai adventure desert safari & dinner @Al Maha Desert Conservation Reserve The Dubai Adventure Dinner and activities will provide the AIJA delegates with the unique opportunity to explore the desert wildlife through an exciting experience. You will have the chance to be one with nature and experience firsthand the enthralling scenery of the Arabian Desert in one of the UAE natural desert conservation reserves. After watching the stunning sunset, dinner will take place in a beautifully set Bedouin camp. |
TRACK #2 - Managing Global Challenges: Delivering Legal Solutions in Disruptive Times
Tuesday 16 November 2021 | |
| 14:30 » 20:00 | Registration & open welcome desk |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | Transport Law Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | Skills, Career, Innovation, Leadership and Learning (SCILL) Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | International Arbitration Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | International Business Law Commission (IBLC) + Sports Law Sub-Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | Antitrust Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 18:30 | AIJA Commission meetings |
| 16:00 » 17:00 | Real Estate Commission meeting - online |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Labour Law Commission + Immigration Law Sub-Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Intellectual Property, Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (IPTMT) Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | International Private Clients and Family Law Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Environment & Energy Law Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Commercial Fraud Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Banking, Finance and Capital Markets (BFCM) Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Healthcare and Life Sciences Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | T.R.A.D.E. (Trade, Retail, Agency, Distribution, E-commerce) Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Tax Law Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Litigation & Insolvency Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Insolvency Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | In-house counsel Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Corporate and M&A Commission meeting |
| 18:30 » 19:30 | National Representatives Committee (NPC) meeting |
| 19:30 » 21:30 | Welcome Reception @ Pool deck - V Hotel, Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City Get a scenic view of the Dubai Water Canal and skylines and feel mesmerised by the Middle Eastern aura and a refreshing experience while networking with other AIJA participants. |
Wednesday 17 November 2021 | |
| 07:00 » 08:00 | AIJA Run for Human Rights organised in partnership with the Emirates Human Rights Studies Center (EHRSC) |
| 08:00 » 19:00 | Registration & open welcome desk |
| 09:00 » 09:10 | Welcome to the Half-Year November Conference Anna Wyrzykowska, WKB Wierciński, Kwieciński, Baehr & AIJA President, Poland Omar Al Heloo, Hadef & Partners LLC, United Arab Emirates Aline von Düring, AvD Legal, United Arab Emirates |
| 09:10 » 09:45 | Welcome plenary keynote address Hessa Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary of Social Development, United Arab Emirates |
| 09:45 » 10:00 | Transfer to respective track rooms |
| 10:00 » 11:15 | Session 1 - Doing Business in the Middle East I: Direct Investments Opportunities and Challenges for Private Clients Practical considerations for entrepreneurs for direct investments and relocation of companies in the Middle East. The discussion will include a presentation of legal frameworks and tax considerations as well as the changes introduced in the UAE Company Law, notably the impact of the abolition of the 49-51% foreign ownership rule for existing and future business owners. The session is organised by International Private Clients and Family Law, Tax Commission. Moderators: John Davies, Farrer & Co, United Kingdom Eva Stadler, WOLF THEISS Attorneys at Law, Austria Speakers: Cesar Ghaleb, Eptalex, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Silvio Cilia, Corrieri Cilia, Malta Gregory Goossens, TAXPATRIA, Belgium Marc Buchmann, Fischer Ramp Buchmann, Switzerland Jose E. Aguilar Shea, SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS, Spain Alejandra Esmoris, Bonnard Lawson International Law Firm, United Arab Emirates |
| 11:15 » 11:45 | Coffee break |
| 11:45 » 13:00 | Session 2 - Doing Business in the Middle East II: Dos and Don’ts for Startups and Investors How does the Middle East’s startup environment look like at the moment and what developments have there been in the past? What are the expectations for the future? Our panel will give you an overview of the rising startup scene in the UAE, larger Middle East, on the emerging and frontier markets of the region. We will address issues and topics such as financing solutions for high-growth, challenges, chances and opportunities for startups and the most common pitfalls to avoid. If you are interested in the start-up world in this region, you should not miss this panel! The session is organised by International Business Law commission. Moderator: Dominik Wagner, TIGGES Rechtsanwälte, Germany Speakers: Gary Sheynkman, Leyden Ventures, United Arab Emirates Arthur Stüssi Neves, Stüssi-Neves Advogados, Brazil Giorgia Carandente, Taylor Wessing, Germany Thierry Barbey, Kellerhals Carrard, Switzerland Aline von Düring, AvD Legal, United Arab Emirates Suhaib Hammad, HAMMAD & AL-MEHDAR, Saudi Arabia Mohammed Al Dahbashi, ADG Legal, Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| 13:00 » 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 » 15:15 | Session 3 - Entrepreneurship and Legacy Planning in Uncertain Times At a time where entrepreneurial families are increasingly more global, with assets in countless jurisdictions, and worrying about erosion of their privacy, innovative structuring solutions and tools are required. Overview of the latest structuring creations, practical trends in the industry. What key factors to consider when considering a jurisdiction for structuring, asset protection and/or legacy planning purpose. The session is organised by the International Private Clients and Family Law Commission. Moderators: Stephanie Mooney, Kingsley Napley, United Kingdom Alejandra Esmoris, Bonnard Lawson International Law Firm, United Arab Emirates Speakers: Jenny Duggan, Stewarts, United Kingdom Michael Schifferli, Wenger Plattner, Switzerland Fernanda Machado Moreira, Dauro Schettino Advogados, Brazil Yann Mrazek, M-HQ, United Arab Emirates |
| 15:15 » 15:45 | Coffee break |
| 15:45 » 17:00 | Session 4 - Financing Transactions in the Middle East: Challenges and Chances New measures, products and tools are created to meet the changing needs of the clients in the ever-changing world dynamics. Global financial institutions are leading in developing new ways and technologies providing opportunities for development but also challenges for policy makers and markets. Join the round table discussion about different approaches in financing in the Middle East and Arab countries, covering the aspects of continental, common and sharia law. This session is organised by the Banking, Finance and Capital Markets Commission. Moderator: Lars Raedschelders, Moore Law, Belgium Speakers Reem Al Sayegh, Linklaters Dubai, United Arab Emirates Layla El-Wafi, Standard Chartered Bank, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Biju Thomas, Mashreq Private Bank, Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| 17:15 » 18:15 | AIJA Women Network Session - Women Business Leaders in the Middle East Join the AIJA Women Network for a candid panel discussion to hear a first-hand perspective from professional women working in the Middle East. This is an opportunity to hear about the start of their professional journey and the opportunities, challenges and choices that they have faced along that journey allowing them to excel to their fullest potential. Our speakers will also share their perspective on the essential ingredients to harness the future success of women business leaders in the region. Moderator Paola Fudakowska, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, United Kingdom Speakers: Masha Ooijevaar, Commercial and data privacy lawyer at Clyde & Co, Dubai and Chair of the Outreach subcommittee of the IBA Young Lawyers Committee, United Arab Emirates Farida El Agamy, General Manager of the Tharawat Family Business Forum, co-founder of Kyma and co-founder of the Women in Family Business platform, United Arab Emirates Anita Weija-Caruba, Associate Director, Strategy Policy and Risk at the Dubai Financial Services Authority, United Arab Emirates Fatima Hussain, Partner Designate at Mahmood Hussain Advocates and Legal Consultancy (MHLF), United Arab Emirates |
| 17:15 » 18:15 | First Timers gathering |
| 19:00 » 19:30 | Transfer by bus to the Armani Pavilion |
| 19:30 » 23:30 | Conference Dinner @ Armani Pavilion The Armani Pavilion is a stunning outdoor terrace set amidst gardens and water features at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, facing the Dubai fountain. The location is slightly elevated providing a perfect view over the world’s largest dancing fountains at the same time as Burj Khalifa stands as spectacular backdrop of the venue. |
Thursday 18 November 2021 | |
| 08:45 » 09:45 | Joint Officers of the Commissions Committee (OCC) + Academic Programme Committee (APC) meeting |
| 09:00 » 18:00 | Registration & open welcome desk |
| 10:00 » 11:15 | Session 5 - The Superyacht industry – A Global Outlook on Sustainable Finance and Insurance Roundtable discussion on new trends of sustainable finance and insurance in the superyacht industry with a particular focus on the impact of the principles of sustainability and green finance on construction contracts, termination clauses and insurance policies. The session is organised by the Transport Law Commission. Moderator: Davide Canepa, Studio Legale Mordiglia, Italy Speakers: Jan Hermeling, TIGGES Rechtsanwälte, Germany Hari Krishna, Nimble Legal Consulting FZE, United Arab Emirates Francesco Gasparini, Studio Legale Mordiglia, Italy Anton Molchanov, Arzinger law firm, Ukraine |
| 11:15 » 11:45 | Coffee break |
| 11:45 » 13:00 | Joint Session - Energy and Environment – Facing Up to the Climate Crisis We are now seeing an increased sense of global urgency and public awareness around climate change, related risks, and litigation cases. Individuals and firms are now pursuing judicial remedies and using litigation as a tool to increase pressure on governments and industries to act in protecting the environment and bring an evolution in the fields of energy production, infrastructure development, transportation, carbon-intensive sectors and more. In this session, learn how the energy sector is grappling with the climate crises, and the role of litigation in driving change. The session is organised by the Environmental and Energy Law Commission. Moderator: Daria Capotorto, Tonucci & Partners, Italy Speakers: General overview of litigation and arbitration process in the energy field Giuseppe Salsarulo, Donativi e Associati, Italy Carbon impact and litigation Gianluca Albe, A&A Studio Legale, Italy Kenya case history: the role of litigation Evelyne Mbula Nzuki, MN Legal, Kenya Constitutional climate litigation in Germany Stephan Korte, Cleantech Law Partners, Germany |
| 13:00 » 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 » 15:15 | Skills, Career, Innovation, Leadership and Learning (SCILL) Session 1 The need for change is at the forefront for business globally and the same exists for the law firms and professionals. Embracing new tools, skills, technology, and models can strengthen transparency, accountability, client relationship, business models, communication plans, cross cultural negotiations and much more. The sessions will provide insights on how to improve legal practices and negotiation tactics in in a multicultural context. Strategies to Improve Your Business Law Practice This joint session will start with an interactive discussion of the global developments in the legal market and how this affects different types of law firms and practices combined with interactive tools incl. surveys. The Keynote speaker for the first part of this session is Robert van Beemen. These global developments also challenge law firms to find new and different ways to work and to collaborate. Therefore, in the second part of this session, Ondřej Dvořák will give a Keynote on how law firms can better achieve their targets with the help of agility. We will learn how to build the culture of a sustainable law firm. We will discuss how to create an environment where teamwork is valued and where you will gain improved visibility over your firm’s collective workload. We will also discuss how to move away from emails to other more effective means of communication. Moderators: Friederike Henke, Buren N.V., The Netherlands Max Mailliet, E2M - Etude Max Mailliet, Luxembourg Speakers: Robert van Beemen, Venturis Consulting Group, The Netherlands Ondřej Dvořák, AgiLawyer, Czech Republic |
| 15:15 » 15:45 | Coffee Break |
| 15:45 » 17:00 | Skills, Career, Innovation, Leadership and Learning (SCILL) Session 2 Navigating cross cultural negotiations It is said that culture can have a profound influence on negotiation style. This session will explore the concept of negotiation at its deepest level: a meaningful conversation. Conversations build relations, create emotions, influence attitudes and, in the long run determine the outcome of every human interaction. The session will provide insights on how to improve our capacity to lead meaningful conversations, to create trust and understanding between parties. The need for change is at the forefront for business globally and the same exists for the law firms and professionals. Leading meaningful conversations can strengthen transparency, accountability, client relationship, business models, communication plans, cross cultural negotiations and much more. Moderators: Friederike Henke, Buren N.V., The Netherlands Max Mailliet, E2M - Etude Max Mailliet, Luxembourg Speakers: Pascal Jossi, soul.com, Luxembourg Mahmud Samandari, soul.com, United Arab Emirates |
| 17:45 » 18:30 | Transfer by bus to EXPO |
| 18:30 » 02:00 | DUBAI WORLD EXPO EXPERIENCE – free evening @EXPO site (closing time: 2:00AM) |
Friday 19 November 2021 | |
| 09:00 » 13:00 | Registration & open welcome desk |
| 11:00 » 11:30 | Coffee Break |
| 11:30 » 13:00 | Executive Committee meeting |
| 14:15 » 23:45 | Dubai adventure desert safari & dinner @Al Maha Desert Conservation Reserve The Dubai Adventure Dinner and activities will provide the AIJA delegates with the unique opportunity to explore the desert wildlife through an exciting experience. You will have the chance to be one with nature and experience firsthand the enthralling scenery of the Arabian Desert in one of the UAE natural desert conservation reserves. After watching the stunning sunset, dinner will take place in a beautifully set Bedouin camp. |
TRACK #3 - Labour Law Challenges in a World of Accelerated Change
Tuesday 16 November 2021 | |
| 14:30 » 20:00 | Registration & open welcome desk |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | Transport Law Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | Skills, Career, Innovation, Leadership and Learning (SCILL) Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | International Arbitration Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | International Business Law Commission (IBLC) + Sports Law Sub-Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 16:30 | Antitrust Commission meeting |
| 15:30 » 18:30 | AIJA Commission meetings |
| 16:00 » 17:00 | Real Estate Commission meeting - online |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Labour Law Commission + Immigration Law Sub-Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Intellectual Property, Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (IPTMT) Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | International Private Clients and Family Law Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Environment & Energy Law Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Commercial Fraud Commission meeting |
| 16:30 » 17:30 | Banking, Finance and Capital Markets (BFCM) Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Healthcare and Life Sciences Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | T.R.A.D.E. (Trade, Retail, Agency, Distribution, E-commerce) Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Tax Law Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Litigation & Insolvency Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Insolvency Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | In-house counsel Commission meeting |
| 17:30 » 18:30 | Corporate and M&A Commission meeting |
| 18:30 » 19:30 | National Representatives Committee (NPC) meeting |
| 19:30 » 21:30 | Welcome Reception @ Pool deck - V Hotel, Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City Get a scenic view of the Dubai Water Canal and skylines and feel mesmerised by the Middle Eastern aura and a refreshing experience while networking with other AIJA participants. |
Wednesday 17 November 2021 | |
| 07:00 » 08:00 | AIJA Run for Human Rights organised in partnership with the Emirates Human Rights Studies Center (EHRSC) |
| 08:00 » 19:00 | Registration & open welcome desk |
| 09:00 » 09:10 | Welcome to the Half-Year November Conference Anna Wyrzykowska, WKB Wierciński, Kwieciński, Baehr & AIJA President, Poland Omar Al Heloo, Hadef & Partners LLC, United Arab Emirates Aline von Düring, AvD Legal, United Arab Emirates |
| 09:10 » 09:45 | Welcome plenary keynote address Hessa Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary of Social Development, United Arab Emirates |
| 09:45 » 10:00 | Transfer to respective track rooms |
| 10:00 » 11:15 | Session 1 - The Role of Women in Business and Law Moderator: Irene Suter-Sieber, Walder Wyss , Switzerland Speakers: Hana Al Khatib, Global Advocacy & Legal Counsel, United Arab Emirates Luisa Rödemer, vangard | Littler, Germany Ailie Murray, Travers Smith, United Kingdom Clotilde Iaia Polak, Yungo, United Arab Emirates, Italy Adite Aloke, Afridi & Angell, United Arab Emirates |
| 11:15 » 11:45 | Coffee break |
| 11:45 » 13:00 | Session 2 - Work from Anywhere: Can Health and Safety Be Maintained Free of Location? How did the global pandemic alter attitudes towards remote employment and occupational health and safety? Moderator: Elina Girne, Squalio, Latvia Speakers: Nazanin Afshar, Fisher & Phillips LLP, United States of America Johannes Bammer, Binder Groesswang, Austria Bruno Freire, Bruno Freire, Brazil |
| 13:00 » 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 » 15:15 | Session 3 - Cross-Border Restructuring What overt and covert obstacles arise in multi-jurisdictional environments Moderator: Nicky de Groot, Pallas Advocaten, The Netherlands Speakers: Alexander Bork, Heuking, Germany Boriska Rocha, SA Law, Brazil Alex Fisher, Travers Smith, United Kingdom |
| 15:15 » 15:45 | Coffee break |
| 15:45 » 17:00 | Session 4 - White-Collar Crimes: Human Resources Issue or Matter for Prosecution? When and why an internal investigation can escalate into victimization and how to prevent it? Moderator: Marta Trindade, Abreu Advogados, Portugal Speakers: Ayman Merdas, Global Advocacy & Legal Counsel , United Arab Emirates Jakob Nortoft, Glimsted, Sweden Daniel Weber, Wenger Vieli, Switzerland |
| 17:15 » 18:15 | AIJA Women Network Session - Women Business Leaders in the Middle East Join the AIJA Women Network for a candid panel discussion to hear a first-hand perspective from professional women working in the Middle East. This is an opportunity to hear about the start of their professional journey and the opportunities, challenges and choices that they have faced along that journey allowing them to excel to their fullest potential. Our speakers will also share their perspective on the essential ingredients to harness the future success of women business leaders in the region. Moderator Paola Fudakowska, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, United Kingdom Speakers: Masha Ooijevaar, Commercial and data privacy lawyer at Clyde & Co, Dubai and Chair of the Outreach subcommittee of the IBA Young Lawyers Committee, United Arab Emirates Farida El Agamy, General Manager of the Tharawat Family Business Forum, co-founder of Kyma and co-founder of the Women in Family Business platform, United Arab Emirates Anita Weija-Caruba, Associate Director, Strategy Policy and Risk at the Dubai Financial Services Authority, United Arab Emirates Fatima Hussain, Partner Designate at Mahmood Hussain Advocates and Legal Consultancy (MHLF), United Arab Emirates |
| 17:15 » 18:15 | First Timers gathering |
| 19:00 » 19:30 | Transfer by bus to the Armani Pavilion |
| 19:30 » 23:30 | Conference Dinner @ Armani Pavilion The Armani Pavilion is a stunning outdoor terrace set amidst gardens and water features at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, facing the Dubai fountain. The location is slightly elevated providing a perfect view over the world’s largest dancing fountains at the same time as Burj Khalifa stands as spectacular backdrop of the venue. |
Thursday 18 November 2021 | |
| 08:45 » 09:45 | Joint Officers of the Commissions Committee (OCC) + Academic Programme Committee (APC) meeting |
| 09:00 » 18:00 | Registration & open welcome desk |
| 10:00 » 11:15 | Session 5 - Working Across Invisible Borders: Overcoming Global Barriers In a world where you can cross a border without even noticing it: How has changed the role of immigration across regions (a comparison between EU countries, US/Canada, and the UAE region) Moderator: Lukas Wieser, Zeiler Floyd Zadkovich, Austria Speakers: Nathalie Germann, Wenger Vieli, Switzerland Álvaro Fernández Sánchez del Corral, CUATRECASAS, Spain Moira Campbell, Kingsley Napley LLP, United Kingdom Emiliano Ganzarolli, Audisio e Associati, Italy |
| 11:15 » 11:45 | Coffee break |
| 11:45 » 13:00 | Session 6 - Enforcing Claims in Matrix Organizations and Multinational Companies More and more, Business Units are composed from people employed by different companies and managed from different countries: How to deal with unclear subordination lines, and what is the practical solution? What are the challenges when litigating? Moderator: Almudena Álvarez, alvarez lentner, Spain Speakers: Inka Müller-Seubert, CMS Hasche Sigle Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten und Steuerberatern mbB, Germany Michał Chodkowski, Łaszczuk i Wspólnicy sp.j., Poland Anna Katharina Radschek, Pitkowitz & Partners, Austria |
| 13:00 » 14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 » 15:15 | Skills, Career, Innovation, Leadership and Learning (SCILL) Session 1 The need for change is at the forefront for business globally and the same exists for the law firms and professionals. Embracing new tools, skills, technology, and models can strengthen transparency, accountability, client relationship, business models, communication plans, cross cultural negotiations and much more. The sessions will provide insights on how to improve legal practices and negotiation tactics in in a multicultural context. Strategies to Improve Your Business Law Practice This joint session will start with an interactive discussion of the global developments in the legal market and how this affects different types of law firms and practices combined with interactive tools incl. surveys. The Keynote speaker for the first part of this session is Robert van Beemen. These global developments also challenge law firms to find new and different ways to work and to collaborate. Therefore, in the second part of this session, Ondřej Dvořák will give a Keynote on how law firms can better achieve their targets with the help of agility. We will learn how to build the culture of a sustainable law firm. We will discuss how to create an environment where teamwork is valued and where you will gain improved visibility over your firm’s collective workload. We will also discuss how to move away from emails to other more effective means of communication. Moderators: Friederike Henke, Buren N.V., The Netherlands Max Mailliet, E2M - Etude Max Mailliet, Luxembourg Speakers: Robert van Beemen, Venturis Consulting Group, The Netherlands Ondřej Dvořák, AgiLawyer, Czech Republic |
| 15:15 » 15:45 | Coffee Break |
| 15:45 » 17:00 | Skills, Career, Innovation, Leadership and Learning (SCILL) Session 2 Navigating cross cultural negotiations It is said that culture can have a profound influence on negotiation style. This session will explore the concept of negotiation at its deepest level: a meaningful conversation. Conversations build relations, create emotions, influence attitudes and, in the long run determine the outcome of every human interaction. The session will provide insights on how to improve our capacity to lead meaningful conversations, to create trust and understanding between parties. The need for change is at the forefront for business globally and the same exists for the law firms and professionals. Leading meaningful conversations can strengthen transparency, accountability, client relationship, business models, communication plans, cross cultural negotiations and much more. Moderators: Friederike Henke, Buren N.V., The Netherlands Max Mailliet, E2M - Etude Max Mailliet, Luxembourg Speakers: Pascal Jossi, soul.com, Luxembourg Mahmud Samandari, soul.com, United Arab Emirates |
| 17:45 » 18:30 | Transfer by bus to EXPO |
| 18:30 » 02:00 | DUBAI WORLD EXPO EXPERIENCE – free evening @EXPO site (closing time: 2:00AM) |
Friday 19 November 2021 | |
| 09:00 » 13:00 | Registration & open welcome desk |
| 11:00 » 11:30 | Coffee Break |
| 11:30 » 13:00 | Executive Committee meeting |
| 14:15 » 23:45 | Dubai adventure desert safari & dinner @Al Maha Desert Conservation Reserve The Dubai Adventure Dinner and activities will provide the AIJA delegates with the unique opportunity to explore the desert wildlife through an exciting experience. You will have the chance to be one with nature and experience firsthand the enthralling scenery of the Arabian Desert in one of the UAE natural desert conservation reserves. After watching the stunning sunset, dinner will take place in a beautifully set Bedouin camp. |
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