HK45 is delighted to announce that together with PwC we will be hosting the Expert Witness Cross-Examination training for the sixth year in a row! In this programme participants will be able to practice cross-examination on a mock international arbitration case before a panel of distinguished arbitrators. Our experienced tribunal members will provide feedback on the counsels' performance at the end of the session.

This year the training will be using a new case involving cyber forensics expert evidence, allowing participants to practice cross examining experts on various cyber & technology concepts. 

Sessions will be run both in-person for counsels wishing to participate in Hong Kong as well as virtual sessions for counsels abroad who still wish to participate. 

The mock hearing dates are scheduled for 8-9 September 2022 (3:00pm - 5:30pm, Hong Kong time). Preparation is required prior to the hearing.

• Law firms will be invited to nominate a team of two representatives to take part in this programme (up to c. 7 years PQE).
• Successful participants will be allocated to Claimant and Respondent teams, each consisting of lawyers and experts.
• Around early August, participants will be issued with a briefing pack and detailed guidelines on how to prepare for the hearing. A planning and tips sharing workshop will be held in late August.
• On the day of the hearing, panels will be held simultaneously with teams going head-to-head. Each team will have the opportunity to spend 40 minutes cross-examining the opposing expert whilst appointed arbitrators will observe and provide feedback. 

In this year's version, an interactive Zoom session will be hosted on 8 September, there will be several virtual hearings with the legal seat or place of arbitration being Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore or Seoul. In person sessions will take place on 9 September at HKIAC.

More details will be provided in due course. Meanwhile, you may refer to the HKIAC Guidelines For Virtual Hearings​​​ which may assist your preparation.

Applications will be accepted upon approval. Please note that applications should be made by pre-constituted teams of two lawyers from the same law firm or Chamber. This event is aimed at APAC qualified lawyers who have less than 7 years post-qualification experience.

Given that places are limited for this event, applicants are therefore requested to ensure that they are able to attend the event itself on 8-9 September and to commit sufficient time for the preparation for the event (approx. 10 to 15 hours over a four to five week period prior to the event, including reading-in, discussions with the PwC expert assigned to each legal team, and preparation for the cross-examination itself).

If you are interested in participating in this unique event, please fill in the registration form by clicking "Register". Successful applicants for the event will be notified by email after the close of the application. The application process will close at 6:00pm on 5 August 2022.

Events Date:

Date: 8 September (3:00pm - 5:30pm HKT) - Virtually

Date: 9 September (3:00pm - 5:30pm HKT) - In-person

HK45 is a group for young arbitration practitioners in Hong Kong and beyond formed under the auspices of the HKIAC. Our aims are to promote interest in and knowledge of issues relating to arbitration, and to provide opportunities for both professional development and social interaction.  

Membership of HK45 is free. To join HK45, please subscribe here​​​​​​​​​.