ACI has formed a unique association with IMAC (International Mediation and Arbitration Center) California, to create the first cross-Atlantic arbitration/mediation service with complimentary panels of lawyer mediators and lawyer arbitrators. The launch took place at a reception held at the St Regus Hotel, Los Angeles on 9 April 2003, when the transatlantic association was announced by Paul Wright, the founder of IMAC, and Elizabeth Birch, the founder of ACI. The London launch of the association took place on 10th July 2003 when the keynote speaker, Kenneth Feinberg, Special Master for the September 11 Claims, spoke of his experiences in administering the claims in the Old Hall Lincoln's Inn. ACI took the opportunity to make two further important announcements at the London Launch of the Association, namely: US mediator, Mr. Kenneth Feinberg, Special Master for the September 11 Claims, will now be available to mediate substantial commercial disputes in Europe through ACI. Mr. Feinberg's speciality is insurance law. Mr. Rod Margo, air law specialist, based in Los Angeles will be available to mediate air law disputes in Europe through ACI. Mr. Margo will complement the existing expertise on the ACI panel in the air law field.

Particular areas of expertise in both jurisdictions include air law, banking and financial services, distributorship and franchising, entertainment and media, information technology (IT), insurance and reinsurance, intellectual property (IP) including copyright and trademarks, international sale of goods and services, joint ventures and partnership disputes, shipping and transportation law and sports law. 

Many of the panellists of ACI and IMAC are amongst the most experienced in their respective countries (and internationally) and have expertise in similar fields of commercial mediation and arbitration. The panels on each side of the Atlantic can support each other when sitting as co-mediators or co-arbitrators, while the administrative support services of ACI and IMAC will complement each other in setting up international ADR and arbitration processes.  The new association is particularly designed to provide the widest range of dispute resolution options for the benefit of commercial parties with business interests in both jurisdictions.

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This association of ACI and IMAC is the first of its kind and enables them to provide a joint panel of lawyer mediators or arbitrators, available to sit as co-mediators and co-arbitrators where required, with expertise in specific areas of commercial law and practice in both the United States and the UK.  ACI and IMAC share the same philosophy of lawyer-based panels and the appointment in both arbitration and mediation of a specialist in the field of the dispute as the most successful method of resolving commercial disputes. Hearings may be held on either side of the Atlantic at a venue chosen for the convenience of the parties.

Contact ACI for assistance in putting together co-mediation or co-arbitration teams.

For more information about IMAC, visit its website at http://www.imac-adr.com.

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