The President of the Supreme Court of the Amhara Region emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation with international legal and judicial institutions as a fundamental pillar for strengthening the ongoing reforms in the Ethiopian judicial system.
This came following the conclusion of a working visit to a number of judicial and legal institutions in Europe and Asia, aimed at supporting reform efforts and broadening the horizons of international cooperation.
It was explained that the visit focused on gaining practical experience and promoting judicial transformation at the national and regional levels, alongside building partnerships in areas of mutual interest, describing the discussions that took place as fruitful and constructive.
During the visit, consultations were held with leading institutions in Singapore, Hong Kong, France, and the Netherlands. The meetings in Singapore included the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, Maxwell Chambers, and the Supreme Court of Singapore.
Meetings in Hong Kong were held with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, the International Mediation Organization, the International Legal Competency Training Office, and the Ministry of Justice.
In Europe, visits were made to a number of prominent bodies, including the International Chamber of Commerce and the Paris Arbitration Centre in France, as well as the Permanent Court of Arbitration and The Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands.
On the sidelines of the visit, the ongoing judicial reforms in Ethiopia were presented, pointing to comprehensive reviews of the legal framework, strengthening of institutions, and modernization of court systems.
Initiatives aimed at improving access to justice and enhancing the effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms were also reviewed.
It was noted that Ethiopia’s hosting of the African Union headquarters and a number of international institutions, alongside the growth of its economy and the expansion of its global connectivity through Ethiopian Airlines, provides a favorable environment for developing the country as a regional arbitration hub.
Achieving this goal would bring mutual benefits at both the local and international levels.
International partners praised the reform efforts being implemented by Ethiopia, expressing appreciation for the progress made in the judicial sector.
They expressed readiness to enhance cooperation through capacity building, providing technical support, and continuing the exchange of expertise.
The visit concluded and the delegation returned to the country, after a tour described as an important step towards supporting the judicial reform path and strengthening international partnerships.
Singapore International Arbitration Centre
The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) is a leading global arbitration institution established in 1991 to provide neutral, efficient dispute resolution services for international commercial parties. It was founded as part of Singapore’s strategic development into a major hub for international law and business, gaining a strong reputation for its modern rules and expedited procedures. Today, SIAC is consistently ranked among the world’s top arbitration centers, handling a high volume of cross-border cases from its headquarters in Singapore.
Maxwell Chambers
Maxwell Chambers is a historic commercial building in Charlotte, North Carolina, originally constructed in 1907. It is named for Maxwell Chambers, a prominent 19th-century cotton merchant and enslaver whose estate helped fund the founding of Davidson College. Today, the meticulously restored building serves as a premier location for law firms and professional offices.
Supreme Court of Singapore
The Supreme Court of Singapore is the nation’s highest judicial body and final court of appeal, established in its current form in 1969 after Singapore’s separation from Malaysia. It operates from a grand neoclassical building completed in 1939, which was historically the site of the former Grand Hotel de l’Europe. The court upholds the rule of law and is a key institution in Singapore’s modern legal system.
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Singapore International Arbitration Centre
The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) is a leading global arbitration institution established in 1991 to provide neutral and efficient dispute resolution services. It was founded as part of Singapore’s strategic push to become a major international hub for legal and financial services, gaining a strong reputation for its modern rules and efficient case management. Today, SIAC is consistently ranked among the world’s top arbitration centers, handling a high volume of complex international commercial disputes.
Maxwell Chambers
Maxwell Chambers is a historic commercial building located in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Originally constructed in 1907, it was named for a prominent local merchant and served as a key textile and cotton brokerage hub in the early 20th century. Today, it has been adaptively reused as a modern office and retail space, preserving its iconic early skyscraper architecture in the city’s central business district.
Supreme Court of Singapore
The Supreme Court of Singapore is the nation’s highest judicial body and final court of appeal, established in its current form in 1969 after Singapore’s separation from Malaysia. It operates from a grand Neoclassical building completed in 1939, which was historically the site of the former Grand Hotel de l’Europe. The court upholds the rule of law and is a key institution in Singapore’s legal and constitutional framework.
Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) is a leading independent dispute resolution institution established in 1985. It was founded to support Hong Kong’s role as a major international commercial hub, providing arbitration, mediation, and adjudication services. Governed by a council of international professionals, it is renowned for its efficiency and is a preferred venue for resolving cross-border commercial disputes in Asia.
International Chamber of Commerce
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the world’s largest business organization, founded in 1919 in Paris to promote international trade and investment. It is best known for establishing globally recognized rules and standards for cross-border commerce, such as the Incoterms® rules for trade contracts and the ICC Court of Arbitration for resolving international business disputes.
Paris Arbitration Centre
The Paris Arbitration Centre, also known as the Centre d’arbitrage de Paris (CAP), is a major French institution for alternative dispute resolution, founded in 1995 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Paris Île-de-France). It provides a framework for administering domestic and international commercial arbitrations, leveraging Paris’s long-standing reputation as a global hub for arbitration law. Its establishment reinforced the city’s position as a leading seat for resolving cross-border disputes efficiently and confidentially outside of traditional court systems.
Permanent Court of Arbitration
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is an intergovernmental organization established in 1899 by the First Hague Peace Conference to facilitate arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states. While not a court in the traditional sense, it provides a framework for appointing arbitrators and has administered cases ranging from territorial disputes to international investment conflicts. Its founding marked an early milestone in the development of modern international law and peaceful settlement mechanisms.
The Hague Academy of International Law
The Hague Academy of International Law is a prestigious center for the study of international law, founded in 1923 in The Hague, Netherlands—the “city of peace and justice.” It was established to promote the scientific examination of the legal principles governing international relations and offers high-level summer courses attended by scholars and practitioners from around the world.
