On 27 March 2019, CRCICA organized the Young CRCICA Forum Launch Event: “The New frontiers of Arbitrability: Expansion and Diversity”. The event was sponsored exclusively by Shahid Law Firm. The Young CRCICA Forum’s Chairperson is Ms. Amani Khalifa, Principal, Khalifa Associates Law Firm, its Vice Chairperson is Dr. Mohamed Hafez, Counsel and Legal Advisor to the Director, CRCICA, and Vice Chairperson Mr. Abdallah El Shehaby, Partner, Rizkana & Partners (Egypt), and Vice-Chairman, Young CRCICA. Similar to youth forums of other international arbitral institutions, Young CRCICA aims to aid the younger generations the chance to develop their skills, gain knowledge, network with experienced practitioners, and understand arbitral procedure and other dispute resolution services.

The Forum witnessed CRCICA’s singing of two cooperation agreements with the Faculty of Law, British University in Egypt (“BUE”) and the Faculty of Law, Cairo University. Dr. Ismail Selim signed the agreements on behalf of CRCICA, Prof. Hassan Abdel Hamid, Dean of BUE, and Prof. Sabry El Senousy, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Cairo University signed it on behalf of their respective faculties. The agreements provide for cooperation in the field of arbitration, holding training programs, and exchanging experience and research.

Dr. Ismail Selim delivered the keynote speech, focusing on CRCICA’s role in supporting and training young arbitration practitioners. He also addressed the topic of the Seminar, highlighting the importance of arbitrability and public policy and the debates surrounding these two notions.

The event was divided into two sessions: “Arbitrability” moderated by Mr. Abdallah El Shehaby and “Public Policy” moderated by Dr. Mohamed Hafez. Both moderators addressed a series of questions whereby the panelists of each session provided their answers. Participants were also invited to interact and provide questions and comments.

The Forum was followed by a cocktail dinner where the participants were invited to join for social networking. The event was well attended by about 115 attendees from Egypt, France, Syria, Ethiopia and KSA. They were young legal practitioners, judges, academics, university students, engineers as well as representatives of the banking and insurance sectors.