KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 3): Arbitration has matured into a distinct judicial process with its own principles, philosophy and industry culture, said former Federal Court judge Tan Sri Zainun Ali.

She made the remark while praising two books by former Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) director Datuk N Sundra Rajoo, which were launched simultaneously by former chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Zainun on Friday afternoon.

"Those of us who imagine ourselves to be men and women of letters might just be content with being able to write and produce even one book. And even then, it would be cathartic, to say the least," she said, describing both books as outstanding.

Zainun recalled that not long ago, a Malaysian practitioner facing a difficult arbitration question would automatically reach for an English textbook, "not so much because the book will give him the answer he needs, but because there was nothing else on the shelf".

She said the two books — The Arbitration Act 2005: UNCITRAL Model Law as Applied in Malaysia and Handbook on Arbitration — would help meet the needs of Malaysian and international arbitrators.

Zainun noted that Sundra Rajoo discusses Malaysian authorities alongside cases from other jurisdictions, including Singapore, India, Hong Kong and the UK. She called the approach ingenious, as it allows readers to quickly find what they are looking for.

"This arrangement may seem obvious. But it is not. A great deal of thought and writing goes into it. The Act begins with the case law and works backwards, which is how doctrinal errors become settled," Zainun said, referring to the foreword in one of the books.

Zainun also credited Sundra Rajoo with transforming the AIAC, putting it "light years ahead" of other Asian international arbitration institutions and thus making Kuala Lumpur one of the strongest candidates in the region as an arbitration seat.

The books are important because they make the subject more accessible, she added.

"The author's candid perspective on where the law stands and where it does not, for instance, is gratifying, especially for those of us who are uninitiated on the complex issues of arbitration," she said.

The two books were published by Thomson Reuters.

Besides Tengku Maimun, the launch at the Royal Lake Club on Friday afternoon was attended by current and former judges of the Federal Court, Court of Appeal and High Court, as well as Thomson Reuters Malaysia country head Girish Kamat.