John Wasty, partner and head of Appleby Bermuda’s dispute resolution practice, will speak at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators’ first Americas Conference on Friday in Miami, Florida.

CIArb is an international centre of excellence for the practice and profession of alternative dispute resolution.

Mr Wasty chairs the CIArb Bermuda branch and will lead a round-table discussion on Counsels’ Criteria for Selecting Dispute Resolution Providers and Arbitrators.

Pre-eminent in-house counsel from a range of industries will examine the criteria governing important arbitration decisions, including when to litigate, arbitrate and mediate, and determine priorities when selecting arbitrators.

The conference will gather leading arbitrators, institutions and corporate counsel to highlight the unique importance of alternative dispute resolution within the Americas, particularly during times of great economic uncertainty.

CIArb has a growing membership of more than 17,000 across 149 countries. It is supported by an international network of 42 branches, of which seven will participate in the event, including Bermuda, the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, the Caribbean, New York and North America.

In addition to moderating the round table, Mr Wasty will participate in a session titled “A Conversation with the Americas Chairs”, with fellow branch leaders from the Bahamas, Brazil, the Caribbean and North America to discuss branch priorities, and members’ roles and involvement.

He commented: “I urge all CIArb Bermuda branch and Bermuda Bar Council members to attend this important event. Arbitration and mediation are vital, and perhaps more so during today’s economic climate, as an alternative to traditional litigation for resolving disputes.”

Mr Wasty leads Appleby’s Bermuda insolvency and restructuring team and the regulatory disputes team, as well as the insurance and reinsurance disputes practice globally.