Dr. Ismail Selim

The CISG provides a common framework for international sales contracts, but its interpretation and application can vary across jurisdictions and arbitral forums. At the same time, wars, sanctions, border closures and disruptions to shipping and supply chains are placing traditional contractual risk allocation under increasing pressure. These events may make performance impossible, or simply far more difficult and expensive. When does geopolitical disruption constitute force majeure, and when does it amount to hardship? How should tribunals assess forseeability without the benefit of hindsight? And where the CISG does not provide a clear answer, what role can the UNIDROIT Principles play? Bringing together perspectives from private practice, arbitration institutions, academia and industry across Egypt and Germany, the panel will examine how courts, arbitral tribunals and commercial parties approach these questions - and whether the CISG, the UNIDROIT Principles and arbitral practice can provide predictable solutions when geopolitics disrupts contractual performance.

The event will be divided into two parts. The first will address the practical considerations and strategies involved in cross-examination, with a particular focus on the intricacies of its preparation and execution. The second will address risk management in arbitration relating to mega-projects, potentially covering the pre-dispute phase leading up to arbitration and strategies for mitigating risks throughout this process.

Panel 1: The Art of Cross-Examination

Moderator: Maha Zain, Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy

Speakers:

• Amr Omran, Freshfields

• Yahia Boussabaine, WilmerHale

• Dr Ahmed Abdelhakeem, Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy

Panel 2: From Mega-Projects to Mega-Disputes: Managing Arbitration Risk in the Middle East's Transformation

Moderator: Aly Maged, Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy

Speakers:

• Dr Amr A Abbas, Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy

• Prof Dr Ismail Selim, Independent Arbitrator

• Maged Abdelsayed, HKA

• Amr Mostafa, Hassam Allam Construction

• Abdallah Hosny, London Court of Arbitration (LCIA)

Alors que Paris s’impose traditionnellement pour les arbitrages en langue française, cette rencontre interroge la place du Caire dans l’arbitrage francophone. Réunissant perspectives européennes, africaines et moyen-orientales, les échanges examineront les atouts institutionnels, juridiques et professionnels de l’Égypte, ainsi que les conditions permettant au Caire de devenir un choix de premier plan.

While Paris has traditionally been a natural choice for French-language arbitration, this meeting examines the role Cairo could play in francophone arbitration. Bringing together European, African and Middle Eastern perspectives, the discussions will explore Egypt’s institutional, legal and professional strengths, as well as the conditions enabling Cairo to become a leading choice.

Programme de l'événement:

• 15h30–16h00 : Accueil et enregistrement ;

• 16h00–16h05 : Mot d’ouverture ;

• 16h05–16h20 : Discours inaugural ;

• 16h20–17h05 : Premier panel et Q&R ;

• 17h05–17h50 : Second panel et Q&R ;

• 17h50–18h00 : Discours de clôture.

Event program:

• 03:30 pm-04:00 pm: Registration;

• 04:00 pm-04:05 pm: Opening remarks;

• 04:05 pm-04:20 pm: Keynote speech;

• 04:20 pm-05:05 pm: First panel and Q&As;

• 05:05 pm-05:50 pm: Second panel and Q&As;

• 05:50 pm-06:00 pm: Closing remarks.

N.B.: The event will be conducted in French. Non-French-speaking attendees are kindly requested to download a live translation app on their phones (e.g. Google Translate) and bring earphones to access live translation during the event.

The event will be followed by a cocktail reception. Please note that separate registration is required to attend the reception.