The Society was honoured by the company of Antonio Sanchez Pedreño, President of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce Business Mediation Centre and President of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Court. Sr Sanchez, under the topic “España” spoke to delegates about the effects of the recent economic turbulence and recovery in the Spanish construction industry, and of the growing importance of arbitration in dispute resolution.
This year’s conference theme was “Process”. It attracted the following contributions from members:
Melanie Willems – Before we start
Christopher Dancaster – On being first appointed
His Honour Peter Bowsher QC – Inequality of arms
John Tackaberry QC – Porkies and Dunlops
Paul Gélinas – The dead winger
Kim Franklin – Dealing with aggression
Rosemary Jackson QC – Goodbye to confrontation
On the Friday evening after sampling some local wines, conference delegates and their guests dined in the City Centre at Restaurante Adolfo. On Saturday, after the conference session, the party visited the Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada. A drinks reception for Sr and Sra Sanchez was then held at The Toledo Parador, followed by a private dinner. On Sunday afternoon, delegates and their guests were taken on a walking tour of the old Jewish Quarter, taking in works of art by the C.16 master El Greco and visiting the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes. Our evening meal on that day was taken at the former Cardinal’s Palace, under the City Walls.