Noppramart Thammateeradaycho, a counsel in Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution practice, was chosen to serve on the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Court of Arbitration. She was elected to the court by the ICC World Council, the organization’s governing body, for a three-year term starting on July 1, 2021. The ICC International Arbitration Court is the world’s leading arbitration body. While the court does not itself issue judgments on disputed matters, the body provides judicial supervision of arbitral proceedings around the world. The court’s key activities include overseeing the appointment and replacement of arbitrators, as well as deciding on challenges against arbitrators; monitoring the speed, efficiency, and proper conduct of arbitration proceedings; considering and approving arbitral awards; setting and managing fees; and overseeing pre-arbitration emergency proceedings. Noppramart joins the ICC International Court of Arbitration in a cohort that is one of the court’s most representative ever, in terms of both gender and geographical diversity. The newly seated body will continue focusing on carrying out the court’s main aims, bolster the effectiveness of arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, and ensure that the ICC International Arbitration Court maintains its high regard as the world’s preferred arbitration body. To read more about the court and to see a full list of new members and executives, please see the ICC’s official announcement.

On July 7, Tilleke & Gibbins’ administrative law group, in conjunction with the Thammasat University Faculty of Law, delivered the first webinar of a two-part Thai-language series on business interruptions caused by COVID-19. This first session focused on government liability and damage claims caused by related emergency decrees. The webinar began with an introduction by Suruswadee Jaimsuwan, counsel in Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution department, before Dr. Munin Pongsapan, dean of the Thammasat University’s Faculty of Law, welcomed attendees and addressed the main topic of the webinar. Thawat Damsa-ard, partner and chief litigator in Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group, then gave an overview of administrative law and court prosecution procedures in Thailand. Dutsadee Dutsadeepanich, associate at Tilleke & Gibbins, then gave a presentation that addressed the regulatory measures related to managing the COVID-19 outbreak, discussed government liability for failure to manage the COVID-19 outbreak by reference to the emergency decree and other related legislation, and explained the process of prosecution for a wrongful act by officials—which falls under the jurisdiction of the Administrative Court. Speakers also provided an overview of public law, the Constitutional Court, and the prosecution of issues related to constitutional legitimacy and emergency decrees. A full video recording of the session (in Thai) is available on the Tilleke & Gibbins YouTube channel.

An article in Global Restructuring Review on the Thai court’s approval of Thai Airways’ business rehabilitation plan features insights from John Frangos, partner and deputy director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution department. The article reports that the airline’s rehabilitation plan has received court approval, over objections from two of the creditors. This step will now allow the airline—which has received over 13,000 debt repayment claims—to implement plan under the control of five administrators. John, who co-leads the firm’s regional aviation practice, explained a number of issues to the article’s author, including the Thai government’s unwillingness to bail out the financially troubled company, the challenges facing Thai Airways (and the Thai aviation industry as a whole) during the pandemic, and the historic nature of this bankruptcy case. John is representing many creditors of Thai Airways, and he shared their general reaction to the rehabilitation plan, noting that most were not necessary happy with it but did not object because they figured it was “the best deal they are going to get.” The full article is available on the Global Restructuring Review website.

On July 13, 2021, John Frangos, partner and deputy director of Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group, will speak at an anti-corruption workshop jointly organized by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and the Sanya Darmasakti Anti-Corruption Institute of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) of Thailand. The Workshop on the Prevention of Corruption Best Practices and Innovative Tools aims to give Thai authorities and business executives in the country a better understanding of the UN Convention Against Corruption and some of the best practices to prevent corruption and its damaging effects, based on the experience of governments and private-sector organizations around the world. John’s presentation is part of a session on private sector initiatives against corruption, and he will specifically focus on his work advising companies and other clients on anti-corruption compliance issues in the region. As the workshop’s only presenter from a law firm, John’s discussion will provide important perspective on anti-corruption challenges, concerns, and successes in private enterprise across a wide range of industries. The other speakers featured in the two-day workshop include personnel from UNODC and NACC, representatives from civil society organizations, researchers, and individuals from the private sector. The workshop is closed to the public, but more information about the work of the UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific is available on the UNODC website. For answers on anti-corruption measures and compliance in jurisdictions throughout Southeast Asia, please contact Tilleke & Gibbins at [email protected].