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Vroukje van Oosten Slingeland has worked for global financial institution ING, based in the Netherlands, for almost 15 years. She tells In-house Perspective about legal innovation at ING; reacting to the Covid-19 pandemic and remote working; and what her vision of the lawyer of the future looks like.
• From available data: are we there yet or are African arbitrations still taking place mostly outside the continent? Was it enough to establish new centres in the continent and other initiatives to keep disputes resolution in the continent?
• What are the challenges and opportunities?
• Can the AfCFTA bring international arbitration home - especially investment arbitration?
Biennial IBA African Regional Forum Conference: future-proofing the African legal profession
Speaker
29th Annual Competition Conference
Jul 08, 2025
Mediation is on the rise internationally as a means to settle disputes in a cost-effective manner. Chinese parties appear to be increasingly interested in mediation as an option. This article examines the evolving landscape of mediation in China and internationally. It considers how mediation for Chinese parties is evolving and whether mediation is a good option for Chinese parties in cross-border disputes. Commercial mediation has seen remarkable growth, bolstered by a supportive PRC judicial system and legislative initiatives encouraging parties to find harmonious ways to resolve disputes. The article analyses the three primary types of mediation in China: people’s mediation, administrative mediation, and commercial mediation. It also looks at mediation rules and proceedings in common law jurisdictions, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States. The article anecdotally considers the cultural elements, emphasising the Chinese parties’ preference for evaluative mediation styles as a reflection of civil law. Through case studies of international disputes involving Chinese and US parties, the article illustrates the practical dynamics of mediation involving Chinese parties and underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity in international mediation. As Chinese parties continue to go global, mediation is emerging as an attractive option for efficient and cost-effective dispute resolution. This analysis assesses whether the promotion of mediation is yielding tangible outcomes and explores the future of mediation involving Chinese and foreign parties.
Decarbonising extractive industries operations is a vital component of their fundamental role in the green energy transition, meeting investor and community expectations, and supplying critical minerals and energy fuels to the renewables, automobile, high-tech and other industries. Promising pathways to reducing and ultimately eliminating the carbon footprint of projects or achieving net-zero objectives include:
- the emerging potential to source new energy from hydrogen and scalable modular nuclear technology;
- electrification of equipment and facilities;
- point source carbon capture and sequestration for minerals and gas processing;
- carbon diligence in relation to companies’ upstream supply chains; and
- contemporaneous and post-operations utilisation of disturbed lands for co-siting renewables facilities.
IBA Annual Conference Paris 2023
International arbitration, as an alternative means of settling disputes, can only function and thrive as long as its end users trust the system and its players. One of the main pillars upon which this trust is built is the independence and impartiality of the arbitrators, who are often said to be acting as “private judges”. In recent years, the arbitral community has engaged in a prolific self-regulating exercise to overcome criticisms and reinforce its own legitimacy. In 2024, the IBA revised the Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration, while the UNCITRAL issued its Code of Conduct for Arbitrators in International Investment Dispute Resolution. This panel will examine the new principles for arbitrators’ conflicts of interest and disclosure and share its perspectives on how this will impact the future of international arbitration.
IBA Arb40 Symposium - The continuous pursuit of legitimisation and optimisation of international arbitration
Sep 27, 2023
The rise in popularity of generative artificial intelligence (‘generative AI’) has ignited the discussion on whether junior employees can be replaced by it. Some have gone to the extent of questioning whether professionals, such as lawyers, can also be replaced by generative AI. Is it wise to replace junior employees or lawyers with generative AI? What factors should be considered before deploying generative AI tools in your business? To consider these questions, we first need to understand the basic workings of generative AI and what it can offer. Fundamentally, AI is intelligence that is not biological. The general understanding is that machines will be ascribed with this intelligence. These machines have the ability to interpret, learn from and process external data in a way that is similar to the capabilities of the human mind. Generative AI is a type of AI program that generates content from a data set. It uses deep learning, a type of machine learning system that behaves like a neural network to simulate the functions of a human brain. In other words, it can mimic human intelligence by exhibiting analytical skills to create new content. Not only can generative AI be utilised in chatbot programs to create text, but it can also be used in programs that can create images, sound or videos. This article will consider two major forms of generative AI, in the context of risks to businesses: chatbots using generative pre-trained transformer technology programs; and image generating programs.
Spotlight on the practice of debt enhancement in financial restructuring proceedings
Apr 22, 2022
This article discusses the recent SEC case involving PwC and highlights the wider implications for intermediary institutions providing professional services in a tightened regulatory and enforcement regime in China’s banking and financial sector.
This panel will explore the European competition law aspects of the Illumina/Grail saga, a case that has been hotly debated in the global competition community. Our panel of experts in antitrust law will examine the European Commission's various decisions in the matter (including on jurisdiction and the prohibition of the acquisition of Grail by Illumina) as well as the various challenges to these decisions in front of European courts. This panel will be adversarial in style, looking at the case from all sides to provide a 360-degree perspective for the audience.
28th Annual Competition Conference
By Yi-An (Ann) Lai. Alipay and the impact of e-payment systems resulting in new regulations in China and other jurisdictions.
Electronic bills of lading are increasingly in demand. With several new products being launched over the past two years, the number in use is rising quickly. Although electronic bills of lading have been available for many years, developments with blockchain technology and its recent uptake in the container industry have created new opportunities, which are perhaps long overdue. This session will look at the legal principles behind electronic bills of lading, how they work in practice and the impact of existing and proposed new legislation on this rapidly developing area of law.
IBA Maritime and Transport Law Committee Mid-Year Conference: The new world of shipping post-Covid
A conference report of the IBA-ICC Annual Pre-ICN Forum 2023, held on 17 October 2023 in Torre Glories, Barcelona.
In this session we will explore the standards and practical examples of dos and don’ts in international maritime arbitration with a focus on conflicts of interest in maritime arbitration following recent international decisions.
IBA Annual Conference Miami 2022
Aug 05, 2024
In this article, the authors trace the history, evolution and latest developments of the antitrust laws’ application to labour markets in the United States. Then, they describe common types of claims in labour markets cases, before analysing recent criminal and civil wage-fixing, no poach, and merger challenges. The authors conclude by providing actions companies should consider taking, as they seek to avoid finding themselves as a defendant in an antitrust–labour markets case.
IBA European Fashion and Luxury Law Conference
The European Commission has stepped up its efforts to crack down on money laundering across Europe, following a number of banking scandals that have undermined the stability and reputation of the bloc’s financial sector.
The rise of digital nomads, satellite employees and Employers of Record (EORs) are reshaping the employment landscape. How can global employers best deal with the legal and managerial challenges related to people working from various jurisdictions? In this session we will consider the contractual solutions, employment rights, social security, immigration and tax implications that employers need to be aware of.
Annual IBA Employment and Diversity Law Conference 2024
Jul 18, 2022
A Congressional House Select Committee is investigating the attack on the US Capitol last January. Global Insight assesses what these hearings mean for the legacy of former President Donald Trump – and for the future of US democracy.
Why biodiversity matters for lawyers: understanding links between biodiversity risk disclosure frameworks and business human rights
Aug 12, 2020
The need to rebuild and renew economies after the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic ought to accelerate the finance sector’s attempts to rediscover a sense of purpose.
The panel will discuss the topics raised during the conference from their perspective as General Counsels in the industry. How do they view the developments in the market, technological advances the shifts in market domination?
4th European Automotive and Mobility Services Conference
New York State’s anti-surrogacy statute passed in 1992 was, until recently, one of the most restrictive surrogacy laws in the United States. This article discusses the changes to the law.
With an increasing focus on national and regional competitiveness and industrial policy agendas aimed at removing regulatory barriers to economic growth and innovation, are the rules of the game changing for merger control? The panel will discuss the impact of Europe’s Draghi report, the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) ‘political reset’ , the new US administration and other international developments and how these are playing out in merger enforcement.
29th Annual Competition Conference
Nov 27, 2024
The IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration of 2024 update – without overhauling – the 2014 version by fine-tuning drafting, clarifying ambiguities, incorporating established arbitral practice, and reinforcing various fundamental principles. The 2024 Guidelines were the result of work by a taskforce composed of over 60 individuals involved in the field of international arbitration with diverse backgrounds. Their work was informed by comments received from the international arbitration community during a consultation phase. The 2024 Guidelines include eight key updates that: (1) clarify their scope of application; (2) clarify that Part I of the 2024 Guidelines (General Standards) prevails over Part II (Application Lists); (3) clarify the role of the subjective versus objective standards in evaluating conflicts of interest and disclosure; (4) reinforce the arbitrator’s disclosure obligations; (5) broaden and clarify the definition of ‘relationships’ for the purposes of evaluating conflicts of interest and disclosures; (6) reiterate the arbitrator’s duty to investigate; (7) reiterate the parties’ duty to investigate and inform; and (8) update the ‘traffic light system’ of Red, Orange and Green Lists to reflect current international arbitral practice.
Are we seeing a resurgence of unions and worker cooperation? This session will explore the evolving landscape and global trends in collective bargaining. We will consider real-world examples and the challenges faced by employees in this new era, as well as how the judiciary plays a role in recognising and shaping trade union rights.
Annual IBA Employment and Diversity Law Conference 2024
Mar 04, 2022
Seeking to facilitate the conduct of arbitral proceedings, tribunals have increasingly resorted to the assistance of ‘tribunal’ or ‘administrative’ secretaries (“Secretaries”). Although reliance on Secretary support is not novel, their engagement in arbitrations has sparked considerable debate over the potential for misuse.
Marine insurance: new developments.
IBA Maritime and Transport Law Committee Conference
Aug 12, 2020
As an emerging economic superpower, China has, over the past 20 years, become increasingly outward looking and ever more assertive. As the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbates existing concerns over human rights, security and foreign policy, Global Insight assesses what the future holds for China and its place in the world.
In 2017 the late Stephen Hawking, English theoretical physicist and cosmologist, said: ‘Unless we learn how to prepare for, and avoid, the potential risks, AI [artificial intelligence] could be the worst event in the history of our civilisation. It brings dangers and new ways for the few to oppress the many.’ The rise and rise of AI has been breathtaking – while it took the telephone 75 years to reach 100 million users, it took only two months for ChatGPT to reach 100 million users. Are we bringing everyone along on the AI journey or are some sectors of the workforce being left behind? This session will explore the effect of AI and its impact on the workforce from a diversity and equality perspective.
IBA Annual Conference Mexico City 2024
A webinar presented by the IBA Immigration and Nationality Law Committee. 10 September 2020, 1700 – 1800 BST
This panel will discuss low carbon and energy transition projects in the oil and gas industry acorss the globe.
IBA Annual Conference Toronto 2025
Jun 27, 2022
A new report from the International Bar Association’s (IBA) War Crimes Committee and the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) has found there is reasonable basis to conclude that Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, and other North Korean officials, should be investigated for crimes against humanity committed in the country’s detention centres.
The impact algorisms and other forms of Artificial Intelligence in the workplace is significantly increasing. From hiring to termination, the employment relationship is bound by the potential directions given by Artificial Intelligence. New developments on AI in the workplace face a number of legal uncertainties that will be explained as part of this session.
IBA Annual Conference Miami 2022
Apr 13, 2022
Report on the 25th Annual Competition Conference
This session will take the form of an interactive workshop, with moderators facilitating round table discussions on some of the legal hot topics stemming from the automotive and mobility services industry, including:
Topic one: electrification
- Transformation of the value chain of automotive production.
- Battery production and software as the core components?
- Level playing field in a global market?
- New global players – state support – EU protective measures.
- The challenges of building a dense EV charging station network. Regulatory restraints – financing – access.
Topic two: new mobility
- Trends and legal issues related to the new mobility platforms – data protection, liability issues, regulatory requirements, consumer protection.
4th European Automotive and Mobility Services Conference
Covid-19 has had a dramatic impact on immigration processing in Canada in general but it has also given rise to a new practice area: the quarantine plan. Family members, workers, students and virtually all entrants to Canada need to demonstrate that they have both the awareness and capability to self-isolate for 14 days in accordance with Canada’s Quarantine Act.
- Topic 1: The (European) automotive industry crisis
- Topic 2: AI in the automotive industry
The conference participants will discuss in small break-out groups two very relevant automotive topics from different perspectives.
The first topic deals with the current crisis of the European automotive industry and the challenges (and opportunities) this offers. Break-out groups will deal with the industrial transformation, restructuring measures and regulatory challenges imposed by the EU.
The second topic will deal with the use of AI in the automotive industry, whether this concerns the manufacturing process, the sale and distribution or the use vehicles by customers.
5th European Automotive and Mobility Services Conference
Canada is still welcoming temporary foreign workers (TFWs) notwithstanding Covid-19 travel restrictions. Employers have responsibility to ensure that TFWs comply with all Covid-19 related measures.
On 23 April 2019 the UN Security Council adopted a Resolution calling for the ‘complete cessation with immediate effect by all parties to armed conflict of all acts of sexual violence’.
However, language on reproductive health services and specific LGBTIQ+ protections included in Germany’s original draft was removed after a United States veto threat – a move that was widely criticised and described by the French Ambassador to the UN, Francois Delattre, as ‘intolerable and incomprehensible’.
Mar 05, 2020
Germany is the latest European country to push for greater corporate accountability for human rights and environmental violations.
At the end of 2019, 42 German businesses issued a joint statement calling on the country’s government to introduce mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence to ensure that ‘no company is allowed to escape its responsibility without consequences or to make profits at the expense of people and nature.’
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, in an opinion published in May, has declared that states must take ‘all necessary measures’ to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, has opened a preliminary examination of Myanmar’s forced displacement of Rohingya Muslims after the Court announced there is sufficient jurisdiction.
The United States Supreme Court has dismissed two of the major legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban.
Mar 25, 2024
In January, Taiwan went to the polls to elect a new president. With the world watching closely and amid threats from China – which seeks reunification with Taiwan – the island’s voters elected pro-sovereignty candidate Lai as the next president.
Feb 04, 2021
UK government ministers face increasing condemnation for verbal attacks on the legal profession in the aftermath of an alleged terrorism incident at a London firm.
Jun 30, 2020
In late June the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress imposed a new national security law in Hong Kong, to penalise among other things acts of secession, subverting state power, and organising and carrying out ‘terrorist’ activities. The new law has given rise to widespread concern.
The article analyses the recent SEBI Circulars which have provided a one of its kind regulatory framework for proxy advisors and discusses the rights of listed companies arising from the Circulars.
Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, suspended the controversial extradition bill which many feared would give Beijing undue influence over the city’s judiciary on 15 June and has since described it as ‘dead’. However, the bill has not been withdrawn and tensions remain high - demonstrators stormed Hong Kong’s Legislative Council building at the beginning of July in protest
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