Sir Charles Michael Dennis Byron, president of the Caribbean Court of Justice, delivers the keynote speech on Tuesday in the middle of the territory’s second International Arbitration Week. Photo: CONOR KING DEVITT

Sir Charles Michael Dennis Byron seemed to be optimistic.

Sir Charles Michael Dennis Byron, president of the Caribbean Court of Justice, delivers the keynote speech on Tuesday in the middle of the territory’s second International Arbitration Week. Photo: CONOR KING DEVITT
While delivering the keynote speech for the Virgin Islands’ second International Arbitration Conference, the president of the Caribbean Court of Justice outlined why the territory has the potential to succeed as a centre for arbitral disputes in the future.

“I saw somewhere, simmering over the horizon, an arbitration hub, with an overwhelming workload,” Sir Charles quipped in his speech on Tuesday night, adding, “A solid foundation has been laid for this vision.”

About 100 people, including 50 from overseas, signed up to attend the conference at the BVIIAC, according to Kate Mullan, director of business development for Business BVI.

Though arbitration-related events began over the weekend, the conference itself started Thursday and lasts until Friday afternoon.

A variety of experienced people in the international arbitration community flew in to speak as panellists over the course of the week, according to Francois Lassalle, the CEO of the BVIIAC.

“We’re going to discuss arbitration-related themes that relate to the BVI as an emerging jurisdiction for arbitration, which should make it really interesting,” he said.

Those discussions include entry-level training workshops for professionals aspiring to be involved in arbitration, as well as technical and advanced seminars for those looking to further specialise, Mr. Lassalle added.

Note: Russell Harrigan, the conference organiser, is the majority owner and publisher of this newspaper.

SEE THE JUNE 1, 2017 EDITION FOR FULL COVERAGE.

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