Reza Mohtashami QC will be speaking on the “Rethinking the justification for, preparation and presentation of witness testimony” panel at the 23rd Annual IBA Arbitration Day.
Witness testimony now dominates most arbitration hearings. Its preparation and presentation has become a lengthy and expensive exercise, with often extensive and heavily lawyered witness statements that require correspondingly extensive cross-examination in order to assess and (frequently) unpack the evidence being adduced.
International arbitral tribunals have become increasingly sceptical about the value of this process. In many cases, the exercise comprises substantial redundancy, and has little impact on the resolution of the case. Further, as highlighted by a recent ICC Task Force as well as a Practice Direction issued by the English Business & Property Courts, witness recollections are frequently compiled without any regard to the science and workings of human memory, such that the evidence is of little value in any event.
The session, which will take place on Friday 25 March from 2:30 – 3:45pm TRT, will be hosted at Ciragan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul, Turkey.
To find out more and to register, click here.
ABOUT REZA MOHTASHAMI QC
Reza is a partner in the London office. He has represented clients as counsel and advocate in more than 90 arbitrations conducted under a variety of arbitration rules in many different jurisdictions. Reza has particular expertise in disputes arising in emerging markets with a focus on the telecoms, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
Reza is a qualified English Solicitor-Advocate and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in recognition of his advocacy skills in 2018. Reza is a trustee of the Bahrain Chamber of Dispute Resolution, a member of the LCIA Court, and an editorial board member of Global Arbitration Review. He is a past president of the LCIA Arab Users’ Council and trustee of the DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre.