Qatar University College of Law (QU-LAWC) hosted a conference on “The Rise of International Courts” to highlight the history and development of international commercial courts and the varieties that have emerged in different countries around the world.
Organised under the auspices of Sir William Blair chair in Alternative Dispute Resolution held by Prof Francis Botchway and in collaboration with the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution (QICDRC), the conference is in fulfilment of the memorandum of understanding signed between QU and QICDRC in 2016.
The event’s programme featured addresses delivered by Justice Kannan Ramesh (Singapore International Commercial Court), Justice Frances Kirkham (QICDRC), and Prof Lucy Reed (Singapore National University), and panel discussions by speakers from QU, QICDRC, HBKU, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. 
They discussed a wide range of topics related to the history of international commercial courts, the factors that make such courts successful, the procedures used in the courts, the relationship between the international commercial courts and arbitration and the contribution of the courts to the legal systems of the countries in which they are located.
Prof Faouzi Belkanani, representing LAWC dean Dr Mohamed bin Abdul Aziz al-Khulaifi, said, “Through organising and hosting this conference, LAWC demonstrates its role in actively contributing to the various legal sectors. The conference discussed how to take advantage of the possibilities of commercial courts and how to develop their systems in line with the regulations of their relevant countries to drive forward economic development.”
Prof Botchway, QU professor of law and Sir William Blair chair in Alternative Dispute Resolution, concluded the conference by emphasising the importance of such courts and Qatar’s pioneering role in its development.




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