On 10 Oct, Dr Benny Lo from Des Voeux Chambers was invited to join online and speak at the hybrid seminar entitled “The Next New Variant – Arbitration in the Healthcare and Life Sciences Sector”. As part of Australia Arbitration Week 2023, IP experts and experienced arbitration practitioners with specific expertise in the life sciences sector shared the floor to examine the growing life sciences sector and the the various types of disputes arising, and the suitability of arbitration for the resolution of these disputes. The panel also discussed key issues such as arbitrability, confidentiality, and the use of experts and emergency arbitration. Armed with a first career in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, Dr Lo provided specific insight on the legislative amendments in Hong Kong on the arbitrability of intellectual property disputes, and shared his experience acting as an arbitrator in life sciences disputes.
Other speakers included former Australia Federal Court Justice The Honourable Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC, David Fixler, Partner, Intellectual Property Corrs Chambers Westgarth, and Margarita (Rita) Kato, Representative of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center’s Singapore Office. Cara North, Special Counsel, Arbitration and Commercial Litigation practice groups, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, moderated the session.