Australian Rules First in Global Arbitration Competition

VIENNA, March 28, 2010 - In a global first, the Australian Centre for International Commercial
Arbitration (ACICA) Rules has been selected as the model guide governing the
world's biggest international commercial arbitration competition.

The prestigious annual Willem C Vis International Commercial Arbitration
Moot (Vienna) encourages the resolution of business disputes by arbitration.
The global financial crisis has seen an increase of commercial disputes but
because investors want to avoid the uncertainty of litigation in a foreign
court system, arbitration has become the preferred dispute resolution
mechanism.

ACICA President Professor Doug Jones AM says: "The nomination of the
ACICA Arbitration Rules signals acceptance from the global arbitration
community that Australia meets world's best practice. The rules provide an
advanced, efficient and flexible framework for the conduct of international
arbitrations."

Today at a reception held at the Borsensale, Vienna's former Stock
Exchange, the Australian Ambassador to Austria and the United Nations, his
Excellency, Mr Michael Potts said: "The Australian Embassy in Vienna is a
proud supporter of Australian participation at the moot and our nation's
valued contribution to international commercial arbitration is recognised by
the use of ACICA's Arbitration Rules."

This year's moot has attracted 270 university teams from 65 countries
including Australia, bringing together future and current leaders of
international arbitration.

German-born Bjorn Gehle, a Sydney-based lawyer who was a member of the
1998 winning team from the University of Munster, is now Special Counsel in
the International Arbitration Group at Australian law firm, Clayton Utz. He
said: "The moot offers so many opportunities for aspiring arbitrators and
advocates who have ambitions to practice in the global business arena. It is
here you learn from the best."

Recognising the economic benefits of this multi-billion dollar global
industry, the Australian government announced the establishment of the
Australian International Disputes Centre in Sydney.

An industry partner of the Centre and a designated appointing authority
for various Australian legislation, ACICA has also played a leadership role
in the Australian federal and state governments' review of the international
and domestic arbitration acts.

Australian Attorney General, the Hon Robert t McClelland said: "These
reforms provide the local framework for our highly skilled and
internationally experienced Australian arbitrators to resolve disputes on
Australian territory, under Australian arbitration law.

"Australia will be the place to come to when businesses want their
problems fixed, and fixed fast and fairly."

    Media Contact:
    Gianna Totaro
    +61-438-337-328
    gtotaro@acica.org.au

Gianna Totaro, +61-438-337-328, gtotaro at acica.org.au