Speeches to note: address by Spigelman CJ to the Commonwealth Law Conference in Hong Kong

21/04/2009

Chief Justice Spigelman AC delivered a speech entitled "The Hague Choice of Court Convention and International Commercial Litigation" at the Commonwealth Law Conference in Hong Kong on 7 April. The chief justice noted that "the efficacy of The Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements depends upon its widespread ratification".

He urged his audience and all lawyers who are involved in international commercial transactions to bring the convention to the attention of domestic decision-makers.

"Law reform, particularly of a long-term structural nature, is often overwhelmed by the transient enthusiasms and necessities of the political process. I commend this Convention to delegates as a matter worth pursuing in each of the nations from which we come. Unless the commercial legal communities promote this reform, it is unlikely to be given priority", he said.

View the chief justice's speech>

21 April 2009�