ICC hires co-chairs of new disability inclusion, international arbitration task force

ICC hires co-chairs of new disability inclusion, international arbitration task force

King & Spalding associate, Simon Maynard and Toronto-based independent arbitrator, Todd Weiler to take the reins on the 'first-of-its-kind' initiative

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to be the first of its kind by an arbitral institution to make dispute resolution more comprehensive for people with disabilities. Established last week in a move, the ICC has appointed a leadership team for its new task force on disability inclusion and international arbitration.

Simon Maynard, a London-based senior associate at King & Spalding and Toronto-based, Todd Weiler, a veteran independent arbitrator and academic are set to co-chair the task strength, according to the announcement of the ICC.

The task force proposes to draw up endorsements for disability inclusion will be inaugurated in 2022. By studying and investigating the ways in which the ICC can meet the requirements of those in the international arbitration community may need accommodations or changes for the way they work.

Maynard said, "The launch of the task force has already contributed in overcoming one of the biggest obstacles to disability inclusion. Through the work of the task force, I hope we can not only formulate practical proposals to make the arbitral process more accessible for practitioners and users alike, but also really can start to place disability on a level playing field with other protected characteristics."

Being with King & Spalding for over two years, Maynard was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2019. He underwent a major surgery to remove his entire colon in early 2020, which resulted in a permanent aperture for which he required an ostomy bag.

Maynard has been trying to raise awareness of disability vigorously over the past year inclusion issues in the legal industry. An issue he described to Law.com in a 2020 interview as "barely on the radar" for certain firms.

"Around 20 percent of the working age population has a disability," he expressed to Law.com. "We're not talking about a minority of people, but about one that isn't very well-represented."

The duo will be reinforced by two task force awareness ambassadors: Yas Banifatemi, a founding partner of Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes in France and Albert Jan van den Berg, a partner at Hanotiau & van den Berg in Belgium.

According to ICC, Squire Patton Boggs partner José Feris will act as a liaison officer between the Commission's steering committee and the task force.

ICC International Court of Arbitration President, Claudia Salomon first suggested the creation of the task force. She issued a call for expressions of interest to lead a task force on disability inclusion and international arbitration just one week in her term early 2021.

Salomon, the court's first elected woman president in June, said, "Through this task force, we will provide pioneering services that address all our clients' needs. It will ultimately legitimise international arbitration as a feasible method of dispute resolution for the entire global business community."