The BVI International Arbitration Centre (BVI IAC) is honoured to announce Amb. (r.) David Huebner, FCIArb, C.Arb, CollArb as the distinguished speaker for this year’s Dr. J.S. Archibald QC Memorial Lecture. Ambassador Huebner, a highly respected figure in international law and diplomacy, will deliver a captivating lecture on “Challenges to Our Status Quo: Adapting Arbitration to a Changing World” at the BVI IAC on 13 March 2024.
The Dr. J.S. Archibald QC Memorial Lecture is a highlight of BVI Arbitration Week that pays tribute to the legacy of Dr. J.S. Archibald QC, a brilliant legal mind and a passionate advocate for arbitration in the territory. Known for his profound contributions to the legal profession, Dr. Archibald QC’s memory is celebrated through this lecture, which brings together legal professionals, scholars, and individuals interested in the field.
Ambassador (Ret.) David Huebner is widely recognized for his outstanding career. With more than 30 years’ experience as an arbitrator and advocate in international, investment, investor-state, and complex commercial arbitrations. He has handled more than 300 arbitrations in three dozen jurisdictions around the world as an arbitrator or advocate, under the rules of more than a dozen arbitral institutions. Although his matters have involved a wide range of industry sectors and legal issues, he has particular expertise in technology (including software, cloud, hardware, semiconductor, materials, AI, haptics, optics, telecom, and gaming). In addition, life sciences (including pharma, biotech, clinical trials, health tech, and medical devices, healthcare), entertainment/media (including new technology R&D), investment (including investor-state under ICSID, UNCITRAL, and ICC rules), engineering, and infrastructure disputes.
Among his many accolades, Ambassador Huebner is a Chartered Arbitrator and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators, Distinguished Fellow of the Auckland University of Technology’s Faculty of Business and Law, member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR. He is also a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is on the panels of arbitrators of the principal international and regional arbitral institutions.
“I am delighted to announce Ambassador (Ret.) David Huebner as the keynote speaker for this year’s Dr. J.S. Archibald QC Memorial Lecture,” said CEO of the BVI IAC, Ms. Shan Greer. “His remarkable achievements and vast knowledge in international law and diplomacy make him an ideal choice to deliver this prestigious lecture. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights and be inspired by his expertise and experiences.”
From technological innovation to climate change and state action, dynamics external to arbitration will increasingly change the nature, substance, and resolution of disputes. Amb. Huebner lecture will identify and discuss key dynamics that arbitration practitioners are likely to face in the future — and how and why adaptation should begin now.
The lecture will be followed by a cocktail reception, providing an opportunity for attendees to engage with Ambassador Huebner and network with fellow legal professionals, scholars, and guests.
The Dr. J.S. Archibald QC Memorial Lecture is a FREE event but seats will be limited therefore registration is required. To register please visit www.bviarbitrationweek.org or call 284 393 8000.
The Dr. J. S. Archibald, Q.C. Memorial Lecture recognizes the relentless and sterling efforts of the late Dr. J. S. Archibald, Q.C, a giant of BVI jurisprudence, who made enormous contributions to the development of a modern arbitration regime in the British Virgin Islands.
As a world jurist and international arbitrator, Dr. Archibald, Q.C. supported the idea of modernizing the BVI’s arbitration regime to a standard comparable to those established by renowned international arbitration centres. He ensured that the Arbitration Act, 2013 would reflect a legal framework that promoted flexibility in arbitrating disputes, promoted the speedy resolution of disputes with limited court interference, gave prominence to the interests of the arbitrating parties, and prevented unnecessary restriction in the grant of awards and costs to the arbitrating parties. The Act was also designed to enable the arbitration of both domestic and international disputes.
Past lecture, speakers have included: the Rt. Hon. Lord Goldsmith, P.C, K.C., Sir Charles Michael Dennis Byron, Wendy Miles KC, and the Honourable Dame Janice M. Pereira DBE.