AAA Corp. Counsel Committee meets

At the biannual American Arbitration Association's Corporate Counsel Committee held on Oct. 30, 2000, in New York City, the group discussed recent ADR developments and topics of special interest to international practitioners. The committee's co-chair, John Beechey of Clifford Chance, hosted the meeting.

Among the speakers and subjects were the following:

James H. Carter of Sullivan & Cromwell on the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act (RUAA). Carter predicted that certain provisions of the RUAA would lead to greater court intervention in arbitration.

Luis Martinez, AAA vice president, International Center for Dispute Resolution, on the growth of the center's staff and caseload, and its efforts to promote mediation.

Thomas D. Halket of Bingham Dana on online dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Internet Court for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Halket said that the AAA has taken the initial steps necessary to administer cases online and is planning to take greater advantage of the Internet.

Audley W. Sheppard of Clifford Chance on the public policy exception to enforcement of an arbitration award and ways in which the exception has been applied in countries around the world.

Richard K. Jeydel of Kanematsu USA on his experience arbitrating Olympic sports disputes.

Peter Ehrenhaft of Ablondi, Foster, Sobin & Davidow on developments in discovery in international arbitration.

Dr. Guillermo Gamba-Posad of Gamba, Barrera, Arriaga Associates in Bogota, Columbia, on the problems that can arise on a large, complex international case.