Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The International Arbitration Seminar organized by the ICC Turkey National Committee took place in TOBB ETU with the attendances of Justice Minister Sadullah Ergün and ICC Arbitration Council President John Beechey.

In his speech, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the seminars have now become a tradition with this one being the tenth. Expressing pride in being one of the few ICC national committees able to hold such seminar on such a level on the matter of arbitration for so long, Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“The main goal of this seminar is to inform the Turkish business world and our practitioners of law regarding contemporary arbitration issues. Our goal is to offer the works of the ICC regarding arbitration continuously to our business world.

When we look at the recent past we see that international arbitration was a mechanism used more often by the elite. However, as our companies started venturing into global markets, be it large or small, all traders and law practitioners have come to make use of the arbitration mechanism.

Along with globalized trade, the process of arbitration has been carried to everywhere trade takes place. Many countries have signed international arbitration agreements and set up their internal legislations to correspond accordingly in order to come to an understanding with arbitration.

Significant progress has been made to this end in the recent years in Turkey, as well.

Arbitration applications have been facilitated and have been made widespread, our businessmen using more and more use of them.

When we analyze the petitions made to the ICC Arbitration Council it is evident that the use of the council by Turks have increased dramatically in recent years. Since its establishment, the number of times the ICC Arbitration mechanism has been used by our businessmen has reached 50.”

- The success of law practitioners is reflected directly on applications

Stating that his request as the chairman of the Turkish business world and a businessman is the furtherance of the arbitration application in our country, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the efforts and success of law practitioners in this field is reflected directly on arbitration applications. Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The number of Turkish arbiters assigned to ICC Arbitration cases has increased dramatically in recent years. Just 2-3 years ago only a few of our arbiters were assigned to these cases while the number has increased to 14 in 2011. I am of the opinion that this increase will give you greater enthusiasm.

The most important factor for our law practitioners here is following the developments regarding arbitration closely and being ready to perform at short notice.

We will provide any and all support to this end. We are ready to increase this support in accordance with how you respond.

Don’t forget that Arbitration is invaluable in that it helps solve conflict and PR; for businessmen, practitioners of law and countries specializing in arbitration. Arbitration is a win-win mechanism for all involved.”

Stating that cities like London, Paris and Geneva have become brand names in arbitration, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This has aided in those countries becoming centers of trade and their lawmakers have become renowned throughout international markets.

For this reason, the number of cities and countries investing in arbitration has increased significantly recently. With its development in recent years, Turkey has started to be counted among ‘arbitration friendly’ countries. There are great opportunities present, both for our country and our law practitioners wishing to specialize in arbitration.”

- Turkey is a brand name

Stating that Turkey is geographically, politically and economically the bridge between Asia and Europe, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Turkey has become a brand name with its political neutrality from Central Asia to the Middle East, From Eastern Europe to Africa.”

- Information regarding ICC

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the only global organization representing over 8,000 members with its 90 national committees operating in 124 countries. Headquartered in Paris, the Turkey National Committee of the organization provides its services under TOBB’s umbrella.

The ICC International Arbitration Council established under the ICC has since resolved over 16,000 cases in over 170 countries acted as one of the prominent arbitration centers in the world. The Council has members from 88 countries. According to ICC statistics every year approximately 50 Turkish parties apply for ICC Arbitration.
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