TheHong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) announced winners of the 2022 Essay Competition (HK45 2022 Essay Competition) on October 31. STL student Li Manyun from class of 2025 won the Emerging Economies Category of the 2022 Essay Competition (HK45 2022 Essay Competition).
Established in 1985, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) is a private neutral non-profit organization. It was established by a group of leading businesspeople and professionals in an effort to meet the growing need for dispute resolution services in Asia. Today, the HKIAC is financially self-sufficient, and completely free and independent from any type of influence or control. It is one of the world's leading dispute resolution organisations, specialising in arbitration, mediation, adjudication and domain name dispute resolution.
The HK45 essay competition was launched in April this year. It was divided into two categories, including the Global Category and the Emerging Economies Category, with three writing themes. The best essays in both categories might be published in the Asian Dispute Review. This year, the competition elicited participation of law students and practitioners from various countries and regions including China, the UK, Continental Europe and South Asia.
Li Manyun's essayLegal Intervention in the Decentralised Era: A Skeptical Analysis of ADR's Feasibility in Blockchain Disputecritically examines the feasibility of applying Online Dispute Resolution to blockchain technology with Smart Contracts. “I am deeply inspiredby my first-year study of American Contract Law course in STL, where Professor Mark Feldman's patientillustrationin class let me learn about Smart Contracts, which helps me to finish the essay.” When talking about the award, Li Manyun said, “It was a brave and rewarding attempt to take part in this competition. I would also like to thank Professor Jacob Skebba for his valuable advice on the essay.”
Translation: HE Caizhen
Proofreaders: REN Xiaoxiao, CAI Jiachun, LI Jiayu, YE Qiongdan
