Anthony Houghton SC recently took part in a conference jointly organised by the Macau Lawyers Association, and the International Dispute Resolution Academy focused on Sino-Brazilian Dispute Resolution.
Attendees were welcomed by Dr. Jorge Neto Valente, as the President of Macau Lawyers Association, and the keynote address at this important seminar was given by Dr. Liu Dexue, the Director of the Legal Affairs Bureau, of the Macao SAR.
Dr Liu emphasised the intention of the Government in Macao to put Macao on the arbitration map, giving it a focus in Lusophone disputes and facilitating Macao’s position as a bridge between Brazil and China.
Dr. Cesar Augusto Guimarães Pereira, a partner in Justen, Pereira, Oliveira & Talamini of Sao Paolo spoke about the arbitration environment in Brazil, the nature of Chinese investment in that country, and on issues relating to enforcement of awards. Brazil’s Arbitration Act of 1996 was updated by an Act in 2015 in an attempt, it has been said, to reflect more recent pro-arbitration jurisprudence, and that Act also clarifies the capacity of the Brazilian Government to enter into arbitration agreements.
The interest in this amongst the Macau lawyers in attendance was such that the Q & A caused the event to significantly overrun its original 2 ½ hour time allowance.
