Yearly Archives: 2022

Today, Kazakhstan-based Astana International Financial Centre Court (the AIFC Court) and International Arbitration Centre (IAC) and Uzbekistan-based Westminster International University Tashkent (WIUT) signed a framework agreement of cooperation and launched the use of a new hearing room in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The Agreement was signed by Mr. Christopher Campbell-Holt, Registrar and Chief Executive of the AIFC Court and IAC, and Mr. Bakhrom Mirkasimov, WIUT Rector. The agreement creates opportunities for commercial parties in disputes to participate in AIFC Court and IAC hearings from an international standard hearing room at WIUT in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The cooperation also enables students of WIUT to participate in internships at the AIFC Court and IAC, with the possibility of further employment at AIFC resident companies. In addition, students will participate in the AIFC Court and IAC legal education programmes and compete in the international standard Moot competitions organised annually in March and October.

In the framework of the visit to Tashkent, the AIFC Court and IAC met with the Uzbekistani legal and business communities and presented an introduction to commercial dispute resolution in the wider Eurasia region, services offered by the AIFC Court and IAC, and further opportunities for businesses in Uzbekistan seeking to invest in Kazakhstan.

Christopher Campbell-Holt, Registrar and Chief Executive of the AIFC Court and IAC commented:

“We are excited to develop our cooperation with Westminster International University Tashkent (WIUT) and to broaden our presence in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, through this cooperation. WIUT is one of the leading universities in Eurasia and we look forward to welcoming its students to our international standard internship programme which has previously been experienced by more than 80 students from other universities. We also look forward to offering occasional case hearings from the international standard WIUT premises in Tashkent as we continue to further expand our dispute resolution services to a broad spectrum of businesses and investors beyond Astana”.

Bakhrom Mirkasimov, WIUT Rector commented:

“We are happy to sign this agreement, which advanced our student participation in moot competitions at the AIFC. It provides students and graduates opportunities of involvement in the work at the AIFC Court and International Arbitration Centre at the AIFC with further legal assistance to the companies operating within the AIFC, where English common law applies. WIUT also raises awareness of the work of the AIFC among students, the academic community and legal professionals and will be hosting activities of the AIFC at WIUT. We appreciate our further cooperation”.

References:

About WIUT:

Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) is the first international university located in the heart of Central Asia to offer a Western-style education with UK qualifications. WIUT offers a wide range of programmes, all in English, academic and research activities, as well as social events. Independent learning is an essential part of the UK education system, and WIUT is no exception. WIUT students can often be found in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC), computer rooms and innovation labs, working on projects and discussing course content with their peers. Other times, students may be found making the most of the University’s exceptional sports facilities or engaging in the many social and cultural events organized by the Students’ Union.

About the AIFC, the AIFC Court and the IAC

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is an independent jurisdiction that started operations in 2018. In accordance with the Development Strategy until 2025, the key focus of the AIFC is to consolidate as a universal platform connecting the countries of the EAEU, Central Asia and the Caucasus. aifc.kz

The AIFC Court is an independent legal entity. It has its own procedural rules modelled on English common law procedures and leading international practice. The AIFC Court is separate and independent from the courts of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It consists of two tiers: a Court of First Instance, which includes a specialist division known as the Small Claims Court; and a Court of Appeal. It has exclusive jurisdiction over disputes arising out of the activities and operations of the AIFC and jurisdiction in the case of other disputes in which all parties agree in writing to give the AIFC Court jurisdiction. It does not have jurisdiction in relation to disputes that are of a criminal or administrative nature. It applies the most up to date and efficient case management practices. https://court.aifc.kz/

The International Arbitration Centre (IAC) is an independent legal entity. It has its own procedural rules modelled on best international practice. It has its own panel of leading international arbitrators and mediators having many years of arbitration and mediation experience in commercial law, including oil and gas, trade, construction, energy, financial services, banking, Islamic finance, insurance, and intellectual property. IAC arbitration awards are recognised and enforceable in Kazakhstan and internationally. https://iac.aifc.kz/

The agreement will provide AUCA students internship opportunities at the AIFC Court and IAC

Today Kyrgyzstan-based American University of Central Asia (hereinafter – AUCA), and Kazakhstan-based the Astana International Financial Centre Court (hereinafter – the AIFC Court) and International Arbitration Centre (hereinafter – IAC) signed a framework agreement to expand their scope of cooperation and launch use of a new hearing room in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The Agreement was signed by Mr. Christopher Campbell-Holt, Registrar and Chief Executive of the AIFC Court and IAC, and Ms. Elida Nogoibaeva, Head of Law Division, Associate Professor of AUCA. The agreement creates opportunities for commercial parties in disputes to participate in AIFC Court and IAC hearings from an international standard hearing room at AUCA in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The cooperation also enables students of AUCA to participate in internships at the AIFC Court and IAC, with the possibility of further employment at AIFC resident companies. In addition, students will participate in the AIFC Court and IAC legal education programmes and compete in the international standard Moot competitions organised annually in March and October.

In the framework of the visit to Bishkek, the AIFC Court and IAC met with the Kyrgyzstan legal and business communities and presented an introduction to commercial dispute resolution in the wider Eurasia region, services offered by the AIFC Court and IAC and further opportunities for businesses in the Kyrgyzstan seeking to invest in Kazakhstan.

Christopher Campbell-Holt, Registrar and Chief Executive of the AIFC Court and IAC commented:

“We are excited to develop our cooperation with American University of Central Asia (“AUCA”) and to broaden our presence in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, through this partnership. AUCA is one of the leading universities in Eurasia and we look forward to welcoming its students to our international standard internship programme which has previously been experienced by more than 70 students from other universities. We also look forward to offering occasional case hearings from the excellent AUCA premises in Bishkek as we continue to further expand our dispute resolution services to a broad spectrum of businesses and investors beyond Astana”.

References:

About AUCA:

AUCA is the first university in Central Asia to teach in the American liberal arts education system. It is ranked among the top ten universities in Central Asia according to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings. The study programs are accredited in the USA in partnership with Bard College.

About the AIFC, the AIFC Court and the IAC:

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is an independent jurisdiction that started operations in 2018. In accordance with the Development Strategy until 2025, the key focus of the AIFC is to consolidate as a universal platform connecting the countries of the EAEU, Central Asia and the Caucasus. aifc.kz

The AIFC Court is an independent legal entity. It has its own procedural rules modelled on English common law procedures and leading international practice. The AIFC Court is separate and independent from the courts of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It consists of two tiers: a Court of First Instance, which includes a specialist division known as the Small Claims Court; and a Court of Appeal. It has exclusive jurisdiction over disputes arising out of the activities and operations of the AIFC and jurisdiction in the case of other disputes in which all parties agree in writing to give the AIFC Court jurisdiction. It does not have jurisdiction in relation to disputes that are of a criminal or administrative nature. It applies the most up to date and efficient case management practices. https://court.aifc.kz/

The International Arbitration Centre (IAC) is an independent legal entity. It has its own procedural rules modelled on best international practice. It has its own panel of leading international arbitrators and mediators having many years of arbitration and mediation experience in commercial law, including oil and gas, trade, construction, energy, financial services, banking, Islamic finance, insurance, and intellectual property. IAC arbitration awards are recognised and enforceable in Kazakhstan and internationally. https://iac.aifc.kz/

A new Centre for English Language Learning (CELL) was launched at the AIFC Court and International Arbitration Centre (IAC) today. This Centre of De Montfort University Kazakhstan signifies an exciting new partnership between DMUK and the AIFC Court and IAC. The Centre will provide high quality English language support for the legal and financial sector, primarily focused on business English and ESP courses (English for law and English for finance) as well as IELTS preparation courses. The Centre will have its own dedicated English language trainer from the UK, and continuing the British theme, also partners with the British Council to provide English language assessment services, including IELTS and Aptis.

This initiative and partnership demonstrate the important contribution of UK education institutions in supporting the AIFC Court and IAC to ensure the highest quality international standards in law, business, and finance.

The AIFC Court and IAC commenced operations on 1 January 2018 and have successfully resolved 1099 commercial disputes involving businesses and investors from 20 countries including from Russia and the wider Eurasia region, India, China, the UK, and the EU. Within the first six months of 2022 the AIFC Court and IAC resolved 152 cases. In this time the AIFC Court resolved more cases than the total number of cases it had resolved in 2021. The AIFC Court and IAC continue to manage considerable case load.

The disputes involved a wide range of commercial and investment related matters, including finance, construction, sales and services contracts, and employment. All Court judgments and arbitration awards have been enforced within the Republic of Kazakhstan to 100% satisfaction of the parties using the AIFC Court’s special step by step enforcement procedure that operates directly between the AIFC Court and the enforcement authorities without involvement of the national courts.

International recognition has been achieved by the agreement of the AIFC Court and IAC to cooperation agreements with more than 40 international dispute resolution partners. The AIFC Court and IAC have been included in the dispute resolution clauses of more than 6000 business contracts by Tengizchevroil, Chevron, NCOC, Shell, and many other corporations, with contract values in excess of US $2 billion. They have become the most trusted international standard institutions for commercial dispute resolution in Eurasia.

Mr. Christopher Campbell-Holt, the Registrar and Chief Executive of the AIFC Court and IAC, commented:

“We are delighted to partner with DMUK, the first British university in Kazakhstan, and the British Council, to provide world class English language training and testing at CELL at the AIFC Court and IAC premises in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Parties in disputes at the AIFC Court and IAC can speak any language, but it is anticipated that English language will increasingly be applied as international dispute resolution case numbers increase. The new English Language Learning Centre with DMUK at the AIFC Court and IAC is expected to become the leader in English language training in Eurasia and we expect the centre to significantly contribute to the development of English language skills in dispute resolution and business practices at the AIFC and generally in Kazakhstan.”

Mr. Simon Etherton, Director, Centre for English Language Learning, De Montfort University Kazakhstan, stated:

“De Montfort University Kazakhstan is excited to establish this new Centre for English Language Learning in the heart of the AIFC Court and IAC in Nur-Sultan, and enthusiastic about all the possibilities this initiative offers in supporting and promoting English language in business, finance, and law. We are also very pleased to be continuing our valued partnership with the British Council, ensuring highest quality English language assessment for all our courses and clients taught at the Centre.”

Eric Lawrie, Country Director, British Council Kazakhstan, commented:

“The British Council looks forward to providing all the English assessment services for the courses and clients at the CELL and further strengthening our partnership for quality UK education with DMU Kazakhstan and the AIFC Court and IAC.”

Reference:

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is an independent jurisdiction that started operations in 2018. In accordance with the Development Strategy until 2025, the key focus of the AIFC is to consolidate as a universal platform connecting the countries of the EAEU, Central Asia and the Caucasus. aifc.kz

The AIFC Court is an independent legal entity. It has its own procedural rules modelled on English common law procedures and leading international practice. The AIFC Court is separate and independent from the courts of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It consists of two tiers: a Court of First Instance, which includes a specialist division known as the Small Claims Court; and a Court of Appeal. It has exclusive jurisdiction over disputes arising out of the activities and operations of the AIFC and jurisdiction in the case of other disputes in which all parties agree in writing to give the AIFC Court jurisdiction. It does not have jurisdiction in relation to disputes that are of a criminal or administrative nature. It applies the most up to date and efficient case management practices. https://court.aifc.kz/

The International Arbitration Centre (IAC) is an independent legal entity. It has its own procedural rules modelled on best international practice. It has its own panel of leading international arbitrators and mediators having many years of arbitration and mediation experience in commercial law, including oil and gas, trade, construction, energy, financial services, banking, Islamic finance, insurance, and intellectual property. IAC arbitration awards are recognised and enforceable in Kazakhstan and internationally. https://iac.aifc.kz/

De Montfort University Kazakhstan (DMU) is a partnership between EdPeritus UK and De Montfort University (Leicester, UK). All academic courses at DMU Kazakhstan have been developed by De Montfort University who will assure the quality and rigour of these programmes, the quality of teaching and the parity of the student experience. Upon successful completion of a DMU Kazakhstan programme graduates will receive their degree from De Montfort University. https://dmuk.edu.kz/