Panellists and Discussion Highlights

The session featured panellists from firms across Asia and North America, including Elizabeth Chan of Stevenson, Wong & Co., Grant Kim of LimNexus LLP, Sunyoung Kim of Baker McKenzie, David McArthur of Yulchon, and Lexi Takamatsu of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto.

They engaged the audience on some of the most pressing issues involving AI-assisted work product in arbitration, examining AI’s potential to assist in the arbitration process while highlighting the essential safeguards needed to maintain fairness, transparency, and procedural integrity. The panel also discussed the practical application of the SVAMC Guidelines on Using AI in Arbitration (SVAMC Guidelines), which are the only comprehensive set of guidelines on using AI in arbitration generally as at the time of this article.

AI Assistance in Drafting Arbitral Awards

Opening with a discussion on AI’s role in assisting with arbitral awards, the panel emphasised that while AI can enhance efficiency, human tribunal members should not delegate decision-making authority to AI tools. Under the SVAMC Guidelines, arbitrators should ensure that AI complements rather than replaces their independent judgement.

The panellists debated the merits of transparency, noting that although the guidelines do not mandate a universal duty to disclose AI use to participants in an arbitration proceeding, arbitrators might consider proactive disclosure in certain cases to maintain trust in the arbitration process.

A parallel was drawn between controversial issues surrounding human tribunal secretaries’ assistance in drafting awards and similar concerns raised by generative AI tools. For example, panellists explored whether it could constitute improper delegation if an arbitrator used an AI tool to identify the top three pieces of evidence from a hearing transcript on a particular issue, even while maintaining overall authorship of the award.

AI Assistance in Expert Work Product

The panel then addressed the use of AI in preparing expert reports. Discussion centred on the role of cross-examination as an additional safeguard, with panellists noting that if an expert disclosed AI assistance in their report, it could prompt tactical questioning about the AI’s specific use and the extent of human verification of the work product.

AI in Document Production

The conversation moved to AI’s application in document production, with panellists noting that several existing tools, such as Relativity and Sightline, are widely used in e-discovery, and newer tools like Lawdify or Co-Counsel are being developed specifically for legal use.

The panel explored potential challenges if a party questions the completeness or sufficiency of a document production where AI tools were used.

While complete accuracy in document production is rarely achievable, panellists noted the risk of guerrilla tactics, where parties might make tactical challenges based on allegations of algorithmic bias and other issues.

The panel emphasised the need for arbitrators to have the technical competence to manage these situations effectively, ensuring both efficiency and the legitimacy of the process.

Confidentiality and Data Security

Confidentiality and data security emerged as central concerns, especially given AI’s potential use to handle vast amounts of sensitive information in arbitration. The SVAMC Guidelines underscore that all participants must ensure AI tools meet appropriate confidentiality requirements, favouring privacy-appropriate solutions whenever possible.

The panellists discussed practical actions to secure confidential information, including anonymising data, using AI tools with robust security protocols, and avoiding tools that cannot guarantee confidentiality.

This approach aligns with the SVAMC Guidelines’ broader emphasis on data protection, offering parties a framework for addressing security concerns in the event of a data breach. Where confidentiality lapses occur, steps such as audits or remedial assessments of AI tools may be warranted.

Conclusion

In closing, the panel reinforced the SVAMC Guidelines as a progressive framework for addressing the complex and evolving risks associated with AI in arbitration. These Guidelines represent a vital resource for the arbitration community, enabling practitioners to harness AI’s benefits responsibly while preserving core principles of fairness and procedural integrity.

Stevenson, Wong & Co. was delighted to be part of the 2024 Seoul ADR Festival, especially given the close trading ties between Korea and Hong Kong.

If you have any questions about this event or our firm’s arbitration practice, please contact Partner Heidi Chui.

Our firm has five practice areas featured in the rankings:

• Commercial and Transactions
• Family and Matrimonial
• Bankruptcy
• White-Collar Crime
• Private Client

Additionally, our Senior Consultant, Catherine Por, has been recognized as a “Litigation Star” in the Family and Matrimonial category.

About Benchmark Litigation
Benchmark Litigation identifies leading law firms and lawyers through in-depth market analysis, client feedback, and peer reviews. This honor reflects our team’s professional capabilities and outstanding performance in the market.

Please contact our Partners Willy Cheng, Heidi Chui, Osbert Hui, or Dominic Lau for any enquiries or further information.

To view the full list of rankings, please click here.

Interlaw organizes regular meetings to promote professional development and strengthen relationships among other law firms. This year, the AGM focused on the theme “Sea Change: Strategies for a Sustainable Future.” During the conference, Mr. Cheng and Ms. Lam engaged in a series of thoughtfully curated sessions addressing the unprecedented challenges posed by environmental issues, geopolitical uncertainties, and the rapidly evolving landscape influenced by generative AI.

Our Partner Willy Cheng, one of the panel speakers at the Tax and High Net Worth Forum (the fourth from the left)

Our Partner Lai Lam, former Vice Chair for the Interlaw Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Special Business Team for Asia Pacific

Please contact our Partner Lai Lam for further enquiries about this event.

此次大会汇聚了众多业界专家，嘉宾包括香港高等法院特委法官及全国人大常委会香港特别行政区基本法委员会委员王鸣峰资深大律师、上海国际仲裁中心副主任马屹﹑以及上海国际仲裁中心秘书长王唯骏等。会上，徐律师与上海市律师协会副会长黄宁宁﹑香港中文大学法学院讲席教授，商学院名誉兼任教授黄辉及其他来自日本、越南等地的嘉宾，共同探讨了国际仲裁中仲裁员利益冲突及披露制度的演进趋势。 

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本届香港仲裁周获得中国国际经济贸易仲裁委员会（CIETAC）、香港律政司、香港贸发局和香港大律师公会等近45间国内外知名机构的大力支持，并吸引了来自44个司法管辖区超过900名代表参加。

本次亚洲ADR大会在2024年10月23日于香港万豪酒店举行，主题为“打破常规，开拓创新 (Defying Convention & Breaking New Ground) ”。大会邀请了来自金融与投资、制药、运输和人工智能等多个行业的高级管理人员和法律总监，共同探讨他们所面临的主要挑战以及对亚洲争议格局发展的看法。同时，来自全球的仲裁专家也就多个主题进行了深入的分析与讨论。

本所合伙人、诉讼及争议解决部主管﹑HKIAC理事徐凯怡律师﹑陈晓彤顾问律师﹑金相烨律师和市场及传讯主管杨诗雅共同参与了亚洲ADR大会。

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本次研讨会邀请了上海国际仲裁中心副主任马屹﹑上海国际仲裁中心秘书长王唯骏及上海国际仲裁（香港）中心秘书长韩刚等嘉宾发言。徐律师以“海外风险应对策略 ——中国企业国际投资争端解决的案例及启示”为主题，对中国企业作为申请人参与的投资者与国家争议解决机制（ISDS）争议案件进行了深入探讨，并通过多个案例分析，提示了中国企业在“走出去”时可能面临的常见问题及应留意的重要事项。

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在随后的圆桌讨论环节，徐律师与上海国际仲裁中心研究部部长徐之和、FTI Consulting董事总经理陈嘉大律师、海普洛斯集团副总裁兼海普国际CEO赵永刚等嘉宾共同就国际投资协定及ICSID仲裁等议题展开深入交流。

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