Force Majeure Global Online Forum: Legal Experts Meet Industry Leaders

The shutdown of due to the pandemic of the coronavirus has become unprecedented, as the global supply chain become more internalized. Meanwhile, the pandemic impacts employees, supply chains and consumer demand. Companies in the manufacturing, distribution, aviation industry and retail sector are analysing how to best navigate these unprecedented times. Many companies have now turned to the force majeure clauses which presented in their contract. In those jurisdictions where the force majeure clause exists in the contract, it can potentially protect a non-performing party under that contract by suspending or excusing performance based on the unpredictable pandemic. On the other hand, the force majeure doctrine will not automatically apply in civil law countries, therefore, in the civil law countries “pandemic” must be defined to include the event as the COVID-19. The SCLA Force Majeure Global Online Forum- the 6th SCLA Global Forum will be a unique platform to exchange on Force majeure- during which we will have in depth exchange between legal experts and industry leaders. This 150 minute forum will be divided to two sessions, in the first session, legal experts from China, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Peru; In the second session, we will host the expert panel from International Chamber of Commerce(ICC), International Air Transport Association (IATA), The World Free & Special Economic Zones Federation(Femoza), Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre(HKIAC) ect.  The forum will be hosted by Tianze Zhang and Hermann Knott. AGENDA SESSION 1 13.00-13.10 CEST - Welcome Remarks by Swiss Chinese Law Association, Tianze Zhang 13.10-13.30 CEST - Choose of dispute resolution methods in the force majeure claim, Clarisse von Wunschheim, Partner at Altenburger 13.30-13.50 CEST - The Impact of COVID-19 Epidemic as Force Majeure on Chinese Companies under International Trade Contracts, Hui Jia, Partner at Deheng Law Firm 13.50-14.10 CEST - How does the force majeure influence the industry? Peter Ruggle, Partner at Ruggle Partners 14.10-14.30 CEST - Force majeure and frustration of contracts – a common law approach, Hussein Haeri 14.30-14.40 CEST - Break SESSION 2 14.40-14.45 CEST - Introduction of 11 the ICC Perspective on Force Majeure, Angelika Zoder, Head of Legal Affairs at ICC Austria 14.45-14.50 CEST - Force Majeure and Aviation Industry. Yue Huang, Manager at IATA 14.50-14.55 CEST - The Impact of Force Majeure on World Free & Special Economic Zones, Juan Torrents, President of the World Free & Special Economic Zones Federation 14.55-15.00 CEST - Manufacturing Industry and Covid-19, Eduardo Benavides, Managing Partner at Berninzon& Benabides 15.00-15.30 CEST - Discussion (Facilitate by Hermann Knott and Tianze Zhang) PARTICIPATION The participation will be free for the member of SCLA. For invited external participants, please register here: www.cnsla.org/product/sog7 , by 25th June 2020. The registration fee is 40 Euros for professional participants, and 25 for full-time academics. A reduction of 5 Euros for those colleagues registered before 22nd June (use the coupon code: SCLAEARLYBIRD). Please refer to this link to consult the time in different time zones.