By Arman Rashid, Juris Doctor Candidate, Macquarie University, Sydney Congratulations to Arman Rashid (Macquarie University), winner of the APCMC 2026 Essay Competition. With space activities becoming heavily commercialised, Arman’s winning paper explores how ADR can address the rigid limitations of current space law frameworks, providing a dynamic, collaborative pathway for resolving future conflicts beyond Earth. Click to download (PDF) Arman Rashid’s Essay HERE »

Selena Read, ADC Intern, 3rd year student – BA (Japanese language) / LLB, University of Sydney Since 2024, Japan has undergone a substantial shift in its approach to International Commercial Arbitration (‘ICA’). Despite being the world’s fourth-largest economy, Japan has received relatively few filings for ICA compared to other seats within the Asia-Pacific region.[1] As such, to align with international standards, in 2023 the Japanese Government updated Japan’s Arbitration legislation by passing the Act Partially Amending the Arbitration Act (the [...]

By Anika Tahsina LLB, ADC Intern and LLM Student, University of Dhaka*  Mediation has become a defining feature of modern dispute resolution, offering efficiency, confidentiality, and party autonomy in both domestic and international contexts. Yet Bangladesh’s mediation framework remains fragmented and institution‑driven, lacking statutory coherence and global enforceability. The Arbitration Act 2001 provides only incidental recognition of mediation, while the Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre (‘BIAC’) has pioneered institutional practice without the support of a national accreditation system or binding ethical code.[1] This limited architecture contrasts sharply [...]

The Australian Disputes Centre (ADC) recognises National NAIDOC Week (5–12 July 2026). This year marks the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC, celebrated under the theme 50 Years of Deadly - representing excellence, power, and inspiration. It is a fitting theme for recognising the enduring strength and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all sectors, including dispute resolution, where their knowledge and cultural authority continue to shape more inclusive pathways to resolution. The NAIDOC celebration coincides with two important milestones for ADC: our 40th Anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the Australian ADR Awards. Since [...]

ADC has successfully wrapped up an intensive, international engagement. This initiative has significantly expanded Australia’s footprint across major dispute resolution hubs in the Asia-Pacific and Europe. Leading the charge, ADC Chairman John Wakefield spearheaded institutional diplomacy in Singapore. Concurrently, ADC CEO Deborah Lockhart represented the centre at peak global ADR forums in London and Athens. Together, these executive engagements have deepened strategic ties, enriched the cross-border legal ecosystem, and reinforced the ADC’s role as a premier institution for [...]

Professor Doug Jones AO, RFD, IJ, BA, LLM, CCIArb, FRI Arb 1 Keynote Address to: Australian Disputes Centre International ADR Conference 2026 27 March 2026, Sydney To mark the Australian Disputes Centre’s 40th Anniversary, Professor Doug Jones AO shared his reflections on the evolution of dispute resolution and the road ahead at ADC's recent 'Reaching for the Stars' conference. In this insightful keynote, Professor Jones examines the  ADC’s role in shaping the Australian legal landscape and discusses the emerging trends - from [...]

Jessie Xie by Jessie Xie ADC Intern, Student – University of Sydney, Bachelor of Commerce (Finance)/LLB Introduction Development in outer space has truly taken off, with nations across the globe both metaphorically and physically reaching for the stars. As demonstrated by the recent Artemis II mission around the Moon, the global space industry presents a compelling investment opportunity, with market valuations projected to exceed 1 trillion USD by 2030.[1] Due to the rise of outer space developments, [...]

The Hon Robert French AC Keynote Address to: Australian Disputes Centre International ADR Conference 2026 27 March 2026, Sydney We were honoured to have The Hon Robert French AC, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia and ADC Patron, deliver the opening keynote at the ADC 40th Anniversary Conference on 27 March 2026. Mr French shared insights into the human dimension of dispute resolution, reflecting on the spectrum of ADR mechanisms - from mediation to arbitration - and their [...]

In this edition of the Bulletin’s series celebrating Australian ADR Award recipients and their critical work, we spoke with Damien Barnes, who was honoured with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander ADR Practitioner of the Year award in 2025. Damien Barnes is Managing Director at YIMBA and an experienced ADR practitioner with a strong focus on the resolution of complex and sensitive disputes involving Indigenous communities, government agencies, and commercial stakeholders. Damien has extensive experience designing and facilitating ADR processes [...]

by Saif Ur Rehman, Islamabad University The ongoing debate about the regulation of mediation represents a significant dilemma for dispute resolution jurisprudence. Mediation was originally conceived as a party-centered and flexibility-based alternative to the more formal rigidity of the courts. Today, mediation finds itself at a threshold moment. The debate has developed into a polarized ideological debate between minimalists, who advocate for minimal state interference in mediation, and maximalists, who call for strong regulatory protection. There are two competing [...]