3VB launches International Advisory and Dispute Resolution Unit – IADRU

3VB is launching a new unit to provide advisory, dispute resolution and pro bono services in developed and emerging markets: the International Advisory and Dispute Resolution Unit – IADRU.

IADRU, which is an integral part of 3VB, has social responsibility at its core, including pro bono services. The primary goal is to reinforce the drive for peace, justice and strong institutions, including promoting the rule of law and access to justice in a self-sustained way on an international stage.

IADRU’s offering, which is complementary to Goal 16 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, includes advice, drafting services and advocacy. IADRU also helps with other practical issues including the identification of arbitrators, consultation services for particular projects and assistance with negotiations.

IADRU’s conception reflects the continuing development and growth of 3VB and complements chambers’ key areas of expertise and practice, covering complex commercial dispute resolution with an international element across a range of industry sectors including banking and finance, energy and natural resources, significant projects and technology.

Ali Malek QC is the chair of the unit, with Jane Davies Evans as vice-chair; it also consists of several high-profile, internationally renowned, initial members: Tan Sri Dato’ Cecil Abraham, Sir William Blair, Sir Ross Cranston FBA, Professor Dr Kaj Hobér, Christopher Lau SC, Sophie Nappert, Gopal Subramanium and Professor Attila Massimiliano Tanzi.

IADRU is already engaged in a number of initiatives, including:

Assistance to Ghana’s Commercial Court: in October 2018 Sir Ross Cranston attended on a pro bono basis a workshop held in Accra for the court’s judges, which was opened by the Chief Justice of Ghana. Over the two days of the workshop he made a number of formal presentations and also participated in discussions with the judges concerning challenges facing the Court. Whilst in Accra he met separately the Chief Justice, the Director of the Judicial Training Institute, the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ghana and the Country Director of the UK’s Department for International Development.
Diversity in International Construction Disputes: IADRU and its vice-chair, Jane Davies Evans, are conducting a survey on gender and cultural diversity in international construction disputes, addressing arbitrators, adjudicators and dispute boards. The survey has the institutional support of ICCA, CIArb, Global Arbitration Review, the ICP and Arbitration committees within the IBA, Arbitral Women, Women in Arbitration, several Societies of Construction Law, DRBF, YConstruction and various institutions and other organisations.
Training for African lawyers: Stephenson Harwood and IADRU are organising a joint training programme for African lawyers.
AI and Ethics: Sir William Blair has become a Member of the Ethics Committee of Digital Catapult’s AI Machine Intelligence Garage, chaired by Luciano Floridi, Professor of Philosophy and Ethics of Information at the University of Oxford. Blair says, “There is a consensus that ethics must be at the heart of the responsible development of AI, and this Committee has developed a practical approach which should be of particular value to start-ups”.
New cases: IADRU is currently supporting a number of ongoing matters within 3VB, which are specifically aligned to its social responsibility principles.

Link to IADRU’s webpage Link to IADRU’s members

For enquiries, please contact Carlos Carvalho (IADRU’s coordinator) – ccarvalho@3vb.com +44 (0)20 7831 8441