Seminar on ‘The First 100 Days After a Dispute Arises: Settlement, Evidence, Forums, and Strategy’

On 27 October 2025, Lee & Ko successfully hosted a seminar titled ‘The First 100 Days After A Dispute Arises: Settlement, Evidence, Forums, and Strategy’ during the Seoul ADR Festival 2025. Recognizing that early moves during the first 100 days of a cross-border dispute can determine the trajectory of the entire case, the seminar brought together seasoned dispute resolution specialists to share tactical insights on how parties can put their case on the strongest footing and seize the initiative before momentum is lost.

The seminar commenced with Opening Remarks and an Introduction by Dr. Eun Young Park, Head of the Global Disputes Group at Lee & Ko. The program featured two insightful panel discussions that explored key issues arising in the early stages of cross-border disputes.

In the first session, a panel discussion was held under the theme “Early Leverage: Emergency Relief and Settlement Strategies.”  The discussion was moderated by Zac Sharpe (Lee & Ko) and featured a panel consisting of Julian Bailey (Jones Day), Nakul Dewan KC (Twenty Essex),  and Young Shin Um (KCAB). The panel shared meaningful insights on the practical viability of seeking early emergency relief in arbitral proceedings through courts and emergency arbitrators, the use of various methods of dispute resolution including consultations and mediation, as well as early settlement tactics taking into consideration factors such as the possibility of adverse cost awards and differing positions on without-prejudice privilege between jurisdictions. 

The second session, titled “Laying the Groundwork: Evidence, Strategy, and Tribunal Formation,” was moderated by Dr. Eun Young Park (Lee & Ko), and featured a panel consisting of Elodie Dulac (King & Spalding), Peter Turner KC (39 Essex Chambers), Han-Earl Woo (Lee & Ko), and Bami Yoo (Lee & Ko). This session addressed the necessary qualities of an arbitrator and the relationship between an arbitrator’s legal background and legal reasoning from the perspective of both counsel and arbitrator. The panelists also discussed practical tips and protocols for document retention, evidence gathering and the application of privilege with particular emphasis on the Korean context. 

The seminar was well received by in-house counsel and foreign law firm practitioners, as it offered practical perspectives on various early-stage strategies that parties can effectively utilize when a dispute arises.