Moberly Gives Lecture on Mediation at University of Hong Kong

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Robert B. Moberly, dean emeritus and professor of law, at the mediation office of the High Court of Hong Kong

Robert B. Moberly, dean emeritus and professor of the University of Arkansas School of Law, recently delivered a lecture, “Court Mediation Systems and Mediator Ethics,” at the University of Hong Kong, which was ranked this year by QS Quacquarelli Symonds as the top university in Asia. Moberly’s talk was co-hosted by the Center for Comparative and Public Law at the Faculty of Law and the Program of Arbitration and Dispute Resolution of the University of Hong Kong.

Moberly’s lecture examined the rapidly expanding use of court mediation in the last two decades in the U.S. and around the world. With this expansion has come a host of serious questions, such as whether mediation should be voluntary or mandatory, whether mediators should have the same immunity as judges, whether and how ethical standards should be enforced, and if attorneys have an obligation to advise clients of alternative dispute resolution processes before going to court. Moberly addressed these issues and offered insights on other concerns, such as matters of confidentiality, impartiality, self-determination and professional advice.

“I am grateful to Professor Moberly for conducting the type of meaningful outreach that the School of Law espouses,” said Cynthia Nance, dean of the School of Law. “Professor Moberly is an internationally recognized expert in mediation and arbitration, as evidenced by his talk at the University of Hong Kong, one of the world’s most prestigious universities. His great work at the cutting-edge of mediation reflects positively on our School of Law and our university.”

In addition to his lecture, Moberly was invited to visit the mediation office of the Hong Kong High Court. He then took part in a mediation roundtable conference at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center.