Singapore : The Council for International Dispute Resolution of the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted “International Commercial Courts and the Future of Cross-Border Dispute Resolution,” held on the sidelines of Singapore Convention Week 2026.
Daryl Chew, Chairman of the Board of Maxwell Chambers and Managing Partner at Three Crowns, delivered the opening remarks. The session was moderated by Professor Marike Patrani Paulsson, Secretary General of the Council for International Dispute Resolution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and featured VK Rajah SC, Former Attorney-General of Singapore; Kevin Nash, Director General of the London Court of International Arbitration; Chiann Bao, Judge in the Bahrain International Commercial Court; and Sapna Jhangiani KC of Blackstone Chambers.
The speakers discussed the growing role of international commercial courts alongside traditional arbitration, exploring how the two mechanisms can complement one another in resolving cross-border commercial disputes. The conversation also touched on emerging trends shaping the future of dispute resolution, including procedural innovation, efficiency, and the evolving expectations of the global business community.
The discussion examined how institutions and courts across jurisdictions can work together to strengthen access to justice in commercial matters, while addressing the practical challenges of enforcement, jurisdiction, and coordination between arbitral and judicial forums.
The event was attended to full capacity, reflecting the considerable interest it generated among delegates, and was widely regarded as one of the standout sessions of Singapore Convention Week 2026. In hosting this event, Bahrain has once again delivered a successful addition to the Hawar Circle initiative, further affirming the Kingdom’s standing as a global leader in advancing innovation in the field of dispute resolution.
