8:30 – Early Brew & Registration

9:00 – Conference Opening 

9:05 – Welcome to Country

9:10 – Connecting to Place

Michael Butler, Mediator and Cultural Consultant

9:15 – Keynote – Powering the Surge in Global Dispute Resolution
[Arbitration, Maritime Law and Dispute Resolution]

The Hon. James Allsop AC, Mediator, Arbitrator, Expert Determiner and former Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia

Facilitator, John Wakefield, Director, Australian Disputes Centre

Anchoring the conference with this compelling Keynote Address, The Hon. James Allsop AC brings his enormous curial and ADR experience to considering the many ways in which Australia-based and international dispute resolution practitioners, Government instrumentalities and NGOs are powering the surge in global dispute resolution, the challenges they face and the opportunities presented by the many storms impacting our current geopolitical seascape.

9:35 – Global Tides of Innovation – The Pacific and Beyond
[Advocacy, Arbitration, Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Forums]

Facilitator, Michael Talbot, Director, Australian Disputes Centre

At-the-table in finding solutions for many of the pressing issues of our time, three award-winning dispute resolution practitioners on the cutting-edge of international negotiations and innovation share their ocean-deep insights.

Climate Change and the ICJ Advisory Opinion

Catriona Martin, Partner DLA Piper

In historic proceedings before the International Court of Justice, DLA Piper’s multi-award-winning DR team is representing Timor-Leste, Tonga, the Solomon Islands and Zambia pro bono in The Hague. Cate Martin highlights what is at stake, sharing insights on their submissions and the potential impacts of this landmark Climate Change Advisory Opinion due later this year.

Responding to Rising Concerns on Deep Sea Mining

Nathan Eastwood, Partner, Watson Farley and Williams

Multi-award-winning dispute resolution practitioner, Nathan Eastwood, shares his significant expertise on the emerging trends in deep sea mining, ocean governance and sustainability. In Jamaica for the 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority, commencing in March 2025, Nathan brings an inside perspective on these critical negotiations aimed at finalising and adopting regulations for the commercial exploitation of deep-sea mineral resources.

Australia’s Legislative Leap in Cross-Border Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

Daniel Allman, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright

Following recent developments in implementation of the London Protocol, which prevents marine pollution caused by dumping of wastes at sea, Australia is one step closer to cross-border carbon capture and storage. Award-winning arbitration practitioner, Daniel Allman, will examine what this means for decarbonisation efforts in the Asia-Pacific including how liability for CO2 leakage is managed across the CCS value chain.

10:15 – Morning Brew

10:45 – Waters Spring Eternal – Ancient Fishing Traps and Contemporary Fishing Rights
[Negotiation, Advocacy, Legislative Interventions and Disputes Systems Design]

Facilitator, Kathryn Ridge 

Panel, Traditional Owners and Leaders

Quandamooka, Professor Cooms, ANU Law School
Walbunja, Danny Chapman, Councillor NSW Aboriginal Land Council
Walbunja, Wally Stewart, Manager, Joonga Land & Water Aboriginal Corporation
Arakwal, Yvonne Stewart

Australia’s ancient rock fishing traps are breath taking engineering feats that reflect Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders’ deep connection to the environment as a complex, living system and their enduring ethos of the collaborative use of assets and sustainable fishing practices. As the ownership and use of ocean resources become ever-more valuable, our prestigious panel of Traditional Owners and Leaders share insights on ancient wisdom and current systems thinking that help them navigate the resolution of contested seafood resources.   

11:25 – Keynote – In Conversation – Chief Justice Chris Kourakis
[Courts & Tribunals, Mediation, Arbitration and the Art of Advocacy]

Facilitator, Claire O’Connor SC

The Hon. Chief Justice Chris Kourakis has had an enduring commitment to social justice and law reform. As a strong advocate for the benefits of ADR, the Chief Justice has recognised its role in improving efficiency and accessibility within the justice system and actively supported the expansion of ADR mechanisms in South Australia; focusing on reducing litigation delays and promoting fair resolutions outside of court proceedings. In conversation with long-time legal colleague, Claire O’Connor SC, we meet eminent jurist and ADR advocate, South Australia’s Chief Justice Kourakis.

11:55 – The Kiss of Life for Marine Infrastructure Disputes
[Negotiation, Dispute Boards, Mediation, Arbitration and Expert Determination]

Facilitator, Sean Marriott, Partner, HFW 

Expert Panel

Jean Hamilton-Smith, Senior Associate, Herbert Smith Freehills
Pratarp Singh, Managing Director, Entec PTE Ltd, Fiji
Gordon Smith, Gordon Smith Legal

Keeping infrastructure projects on time and budget is challenging, not least when dealing with the vagaries of a marine environment. Pratarp Singh, a global leader in the field of engineering, infrastructure and arbitration specialist Jean Hamilton-Smith and Australian ADR Award winning International Arbitrator, Gordon Smith, walk us through the life cycle of a marine infrastructure dispute, highlighting pitfalls to avoid when negotiating in the headlights of arbitration and strategies for success when you are before an arbitral tribunal.

12:30 – Sailing Towards Doable and Durable Solutions
[Mediation: Skills, Strategies and Applicability]

Facilitator, Geri Ettinger, Mediator

The flexibility of mediation is a hallmark of its applicability in diverse contexts and with diverse parties. Often the parties and their representatives can feel as if they are negotiating underwater, with their voices drowned-out by powerful adversaries. Our expert panellists arm you with snorkels, life jackets and vessels to help balance power, build trust and collaboration, and help guide negotiations into safe harbour.

Navigating a Sea of Conflict

Dr Samantha Hardy, Conflict Management Academy

Calling on mediators and other dispute resolution professionals to step up as lifeguards, Australian Conflict Coach of the Year, Samantha Hardy, shares a blueprint on how to adapt to the needs of neurodivergent clients – who bring diverse perspectives but may be feeling overwhelmed in the stormy seas of conflict.

Languid Lake or a River of Discontent

Ippei Okazaki, Facilitator and Mediator

Mediating in the complex context of water justice, resource rights, cross-cultural differences and power imbalances, Community Mediator of the Year, Ippei Okazaki, presents a case study of David and Goliath proportions, and the strategies used to build a bridge of understanding. 

Land Rights, Climate Change and Consequential Conflict

Deborah Lockhart, CEO, Australian Disputes Centre

ADC has been privileged to be at the forefront of the ADR industry for nearly 40 years, and over this period of time to be a part of the growing use of ADR for environmental justice. Deborah Lockhart shares two recent case studies from the Asia-Pacific where ADC’s work demonstrates how mediation can assist in addressing the formidable challenges of climate change and land rights.

1:00 – Mess Deck

2:00 – Charting New Currents in Water Rights – The Great Debate
[Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration, Advocacy, Experts, Legislative Mechanisms]

Motion: That the Murray and Darling Rivers be Granted Legal Personhood

Affirmative Team:

Claire O’Connor SC, Villeneuve Smith Chambers, SA
Dr Donna Odegaard AM, CEO, First Nations Broadcasting, NT
Phillip Broderick, Mediator, SA

Negative Team:

Dominique Hogan-Doran SC, 5-Wentworth Chambers, NSW
Michael Swanson, 9 Selborne Chambers, NSW
Douglas Murphy KC, Murphy Mediation, QLD

Adjudicators: John Middleton AM, KC and Geri Ettinger

Water rights is an issue of our time and will remain so for generations to come. Our prestigious debaters present informative, insightful and likely a few hilarious arguments on ‘what is’ and ‘what could be’ in resolving the many issues surrounding the increasingly contentious area of water.

The unique approach of creating and granting legal personality to a river, as a natural object in the environment, may come as a surprise to some, particularly when viewed exclusively through the lens of the mainstream legal system. This legislative intervention is not itself an ADR mechanism, but the work leading up to the passing of any legislation is an example of the application of ADR principles to a complex environmental dispute.

Bringing a fresh perspective to an historically long and challenging problem, a fleet of legal luminaries and leaders debate the pros and cons of granting legal personhood to the Murray and Darling Rivers.  

Further Speakers to be Announced!

2:55 – The Blue Edge – Science and Diplomacy in Antarctica
[Negotiation, Experts, Collaboration, Decision-Making Model/Practise] 

Facilitator,  Sean Marriott, Partner, HFW 

Speakers

Dr Annebelle Davis, Mediator and Expert on Antarctic Diplomacy
Graeme Ayres, Graeme Ayres ARC Services New Zealand

Antarctica is home to one of the world’s most enduring joint problem-solving partnerships. Scientists and diplomats use the interface between their professions in Antarctica to achieve outcomes in their own and each other’s interests. In this riveting discussion, Antarctic expert and a leader in the fields of negotiation and mediation, Dr Annebelle Davis, highlights how this  lasting partnership may offer a way for others to access expert skill sets beyond their own to help resolve complex issues.

We are also privileged to hear from international conservationist Graeme Ayres, who shares his on-the-ice insights on the efficacy of the crucial collaborations needed in Antarctica from his deep practical experience in managing New Zealand’s Scott Base, and his unwavering passion in advocating for Antarctic sustainability.

3:30 – Afternoon Brew

3:50pm – Water Justice and the Roper River
[Representation, Advocacy, Negotiation, Conciliation, Legislative Responses] 

Facilitator, Dr Samantha Phelan, Veterinarian and Founder of Protect Big River

Panel, Traditional Owners and Leaders

Miliwanga Wurrben, Rembarrnga Traditional Owner and Elder
Cecelia Lake, Mangarrayi Traditional Owner and emerging leader of the Roper River

From the Murray Darling Basin to the free flowing rivers of the Northern Territory, Australia faces the eye of a storm in contested water resources. Traditional owners have been custodians of the aquifers, springs and rivers of the Northern Territory for over 65,000 years. These uniting waterways are central to Aboriginal economic, cultural, and spiritual life. Today, Territory communities face increasingly significant challenges maintaining the health of these crucial water systems, as competing forces threaten irreparable harm. In this spell-binding presentation, traditional owners and leading advocates for the living waters of the Northern Territory, speak about the current impacts on the strength of these water systems and, using the Roper River as a pilot, their proposed solutions for delivering a collaborative-use model that ensures a thriving river for all. 

4:25 – Oceans 9 Workshop  

Led by expert facilitators, delegates share their diverse perspectives, innovative ideas and practical know-how to maximise a real-world impact on water justice.

4:45 – Special Rapporteur 

5:00 – Splice the Mainbrace – Networking Cocktail Reception on the Pier

6:30 – Conference Close

Conference Cocktail Reception

Pier One Sydney Harbour

Wrap up a dynamic day at the ADR Awards International Conference at the Cocktail Reception. Held at the stunning Pier One Sydney Harbour, this exclusive networking event offers a perfect opportunity to unwind and continue those conversations with fellow professionals in the dispute resolution community, industry leaders and experts.

Enjoy drinks on the patio, breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour and a brilliant networking opportunity in a relaxed and inspiring setting.

Coffee & Connections @ Lockhart Chambers

Another exclusive event for ADR Conference delegates

Friday, 2 May 2024 10:00am–12:30pm (AEST)

ADC warmly invites Conference delegates to dive into an exclusive ‘Open House’ at our stunning premises in the heart of Sydney’s dispute resolution and legal district – 233 Macquarie Street. Immerse yourself in networking opportunities, enjoy coffee, and hear from our Special Guest Speaker at 11.00 am. Connect with fellow professionals, exchange ideas, and chart new paths for business partnerships. For those who appreciate art, ADC proudly showcases indigenous artworks from Australia’s renowned Ken Hinds Art Collection, reflecting the rich cultural currents of our nation.

Don’t miss this additional chance to anchor your conference experience – relax, network, and let inspiration flow in a truly unique setting.