As part of ELLALAN Academy, an initiative by our firm to train and develop our junior lawyers, our Partner Simon Wong delivered an in-house session on Introduction to Arbitration.

The session walked through the fundamentals of arbitration in both Hong Kong and international contexts, and compared arbitration with litigation and mediation. Simon discussed when arbitration may be preferred in cross-border disputes, including considerations such as enforceability, confidentiality, party autonomy and procedural efficiency. He also outlined key elements of the arbitral process, including institutional vs. ad hoc arbitration, tribunal composition, and the finality of awards.

The session then explored practical decision-making factors relevant to contract negotiation and dispute strategy, including how governing law and procedural law interact, how arbitration clauses are drafted, and how enforcement operates under regimes such as the New York Convention. Participants gained an appreciation of arbitration as both a legal mechanism and a commercial dispute resolution tool influenced by strategy, drafting and regulatory environment.

At ELLALAN, we remain committed to investing in the professional development of our young lawyers and equipping them with the legal and commercial skills needed to thrive in practice.