#10QuestionswithMaxwell Interview Series: Dr. Julian Brown, Julian Brown Limited

Interviews

Interview Series - Dr Julian Brown

#10QuestionswithMaxwell Interview Series: Dr. Julian Brown, Julian Brown Limited

This week’s #10QuestionsWithMaxwell features Dr. Julian Brown, a maritime Arbitrator & Mediator at Julian Brown Limited, and Founder & Chairman of JCP Marine.

Dr. Julian Brown founded the marine consultancy JCP Marine in 1992 and has been arbitrating since 2011, principally under LMAA, SCMA, SIAC and FOSFA Rules. Disputes he has covered include ship building and yacht delivery contracts; oil and chemical cargo contaminations/off specification; cargo conversion and shortage; demurrage; liquefaction of solid bulk cargoes; salvage; various voyage and time charter party disputes.

In this interview, he shared one thing he would change about the arbitral system, the proudest achievement in his career, what qualities clients look for when selecting an arbitrator, and more.

Read his full interview below:

Q: When did you realise your passion for maritime law?

A: When I started studying Business and Law as part of my Master’s Certificate of Competency at Warsash.

Q: What has been the biggest change you have seen in the ADR space?

A: Virtual hearings in mediation and arbitration.  

Q: If you could change one thing about the arbitral system, what would it be?

A: In my PhD thesis entitled “The Protection of Confidentiality in Arbitration: Balancing the Tensions Between Commerce and Public Policy”, I argued that confidentiality should be codified with respect to the arbitral process. That those involved – the parties, institutions, arbitrators, solicitors and witnesses – should be bound by its provisions. It argued that there is a pressing need to address the gaps in the current [English] law such as the consolidation of proceedings and the use of materials generated during the course of an arbitration.

Equally important is the need to create a framework that determines how awards are used in related arbitrations and litigation, whilst meeting the societal expectations of judicial transparency. The potential stunting of commercial law and the hindering of its development due to the dearth of published awards was addressed threefold: by making award publication the default rule; requiring copies of all arbitral awards to be deposited with the courts; and enabling redacted awards to be published. The modernisation proposals continue by addressing and requiring transparency when third party funding is utilised; by defining and addressing exceptions including those in the interests of justice and what constitutes in the public interest.

The ethics, transparency and disclosure obligations of every arbitrator is core to ensuring the integrity and continued success of commercial arbitration. The arguments that excessive intervention, whether judicially or by statute, are a potential threat to a seat’s place in the world of arbitration are in my view misguided.

The thesis concluded by proposing amendments that codify privacy and confidentiality in the Arbitration Act 1996.

Q: Looking back in your career, what has been your proudest achievement?

A: Successfully transitioning into a third career: from ship’s master to maritime surveyor to arbitrator and mediator.

Q: You have successfully established JCP Marine in 1992 and Julian Brown Limited in 2014, what advice would you give to practitioners looking to set up their own firm?  

A: Find a niche. Specialise. Love what you do.

Q: What qualities do you think clients look for when selecting an arbitrator? 

A: Numerous studies have been conducted over the past 40 odd years. The results haven’t varied significantly since Professor Tore Sandvik’s 1979 survey of [20] Norwegian users. Competence, fairness and expertise probably still rank amongst the top qualities sought in an arbitrator.

Q: What steps can younger arbitration practitioners take to improve their chances of getting an appointment?

A: Is perhaps the wrong approach. Or the wrong question. Or both. From what I have observed, some of the best arbitrators are the ones who have excelled in a particular legal or technical field, and bring those skill sets and that experience to the arbitration table. The best approach for a younger arbitrator is probably to focus on their primary career and acquire experience in their respective legal and/or technical fields. The arbitration work will follow.

Q: What is the best work-related advice you have received?

A: Same advice for practitioners looking to set up their own firm – Find a niche. Specialise. Love what you do.

Q: To get to know you more on a personal level, tell us 3 fun facts about yourself.

A: There is never enough time for trail running, week-long hikes on national trails and exploring the mountain ranges of Peninsular Malaysia.

Q: Lastly, share with us your fondest memories of Maxwell Chambers / Maxwell Chambers Suites.

A: Too new and too soon perhaps for fondest memories, but the staff are adorable and friendly: you couldn’t ask for a nicer place to work.

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Cassandra Anthonisz

Deputy Manager of Legal & Business Service

Cassandra Gayle Anthonisz is the Deputy Manager of Legal and Business Services at Maxwell Chambers. Her multifaceted experience spans across legal, business development, and communications sectors, offering a distinctive combination of legal acumen, strategic insight, and cross-sector versatility.

Her professional background encompasses legal affairs, compliance, business development, and legal technology. She has held in-house positions across sectors, where she gained extensive experience navigating complex legal and regulatory environments. Her experience spans the implementation of strategic legal frameworks in sectors such as maritime, commodities, and fintech, with a focus on client-facing legal operations; contractual negotiations; contentious and non-contentious work.

Prior to joining Maxwell Chambers, Cassandra led legal technology start-ups through the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. In these capacities, she integrated legal innovation with corporate strategy, while spearheading business development initiatives and cross-border legal solutions.

Cassandra has a passion for advancing access to justice and to promoting forward-thinking and progressive business-aligned legal practices. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Birmingham City University in the United Kingdom, and is currently pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM).

Ban Jiun Ean

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Ban Jiun Ean read law at the National University of Singapore before joining the Ministry of Law. He spent nine years doing legal policy work, with a focus on the development of Singapore’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) industry. 

Jiun Ean spearheaded the development of the world’s first integrated dispute resolution centre, Maxwell Chambers, which brought together arbitral institutions, service providers and legal practitioners under the same roof in a facility equipped with bespoke dispute resolution rooms and state-of-the-art supporting technology. In 2010, he was appointed Chief Executive of Maxwell Chambers, helming the company for five years and establishing it as the foremost dispute resolution centre of its kind in the world. In 2016, he left Maxwell to pursue several other projects, including the development of an arts centre and to write several novels. In 2019, Jiun Ean was appointed as the Executive Director of Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC), working to strengthen the mediation industry in Singapore and globally. 

Jiun Ean returns to Maxwell Chambers as Chief Executive, to augment the team as it continues to build on Maxwell’s position as the premier ADR facility in the world.

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