BIAC, CLDP host ADR workshop, seminar

Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre (BIAC) in collaboration with Commercial Law Develop-ment Programme (CLDP) organised a workshop on 'Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)' and a seminar on 'Mediation' at a hotel in the capital on Sunday and Monday.

Both the events were moderated by renowned professionals from the United States and the United Kingdom, says a press release.

At both the events. BIAC CEO Kaiser A Chowdhury welcomed the experts and participants and applauded the joint collaboration of BIAC-CLDP with the persuasion to popularise ADR in Bangladesh and called for the adoption of the global best practice mechanisms.

The workshop and the seminar were conducted by Grishma Pradhan, Attorney-Advisor (International), Commercial Law Development Programme (CLDP), Office of the General Counsel, US Department of Commerce; Adam McWilliams, Partner, Quinn Emanuel's; Elizabeth Wilson, Partner, Quinn Emanuel's; Shireen Scheik Mainuddin, Principal Consultant, Asaan; and Shahariar Sadat, Director (Academic and Legal Empowerment), Centre for Peace and Justice, BRAC University; bringing together professionals, academics and students to promote the use of ADR mechanisms in dispute resolution.

The seminar on 'Mediation' was attended by 30 officials from the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law; Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh Bank, Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU), Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Comm-ission, Local Government Engineering Department, Bangladesh Export Proce-ssing Zones Authority, Judicial Administration Training Institute, Enginee-ring Staff College, Bangladesh, Lanka Bangla Finance Ltd, Accredited Mediators and BIAC.

This insightful event focused on the role of mediation in resolving complex commercial disputes and the benefits it offers to businesses and individuals alike.

The participants had engaged in lively discussions with National and International experts and learned about the latest trends and developments in mediation.

The ADR workshop was attended by 50 students from 10 different private and public universities in Bangladesh. It was designed specifically for students seeking to enhance their understanding of Alternative Dispute Resolution processes and techniques.

Renowned experts from the United Kingdom and BIAC had provided insights of both domestic and International forums through interactive sessions, case studies, and simulations and hence, providing a comprehensive grasp of global best practice ADR mechanisms.

Both events are part of BIAC's commitment to promoting ADR mechanisms and strengthening the legal framework for dispute resolution in Bangladesh. The collaboration between CLDP and BIAC is aimed at creating a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and fostering excellence in the field of commercial law.

BIAC is the first and only govt.-licensed institution for institutional ADR in Bangladesh. It is a not-for-profit institution and the solitary Institution for ADR in Bangladesh. It was set up through the generous sponsorship of International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICC-B), the world business organisation, and the country's two principal business chambers, namely Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), Dhaka and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI).

Since its inception, BIAC has been facilitating commercial ADR besides holding a number of trainings and outreach programmes.

CLDP is a division of the US Department of Commerce that helps to achieve US foreign policy goals in developing countries through commercial legal reforms.