Experts in commercial arbitration call for integrity, mentorship of next generation

Admin l Monday, December 5, 2022

 

LAGOS, Nigeria – Experts and stakeholders in international commercial arbitration have insisted on greater devotion to independence, integrity as well as the need to mentor the next generation to sustain legitimacy of the practice of arbitration in Nigeria..

The experts spoke at the International Arbitration Conference organized by the Committee on International Commercial Arbitration and ADR of the International Law Association, Nigerian Branch (ILA Nigeria).

The event which held at the Lagos Arbitration Court and had in attendance more than 200 participants both in person and online.

Tagged “Recent Trends and Opportunities in International Commercial Arbitration, the pioneer and immediate past Chairperson of the Committee, Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour in her presentation titled “Recent Trends and Opportunities in International Commercial Arbitration”, highlighted a wide range of issues that still need to be addressed if Nigeria and other African countries are to become preferred arbitration seats.

According to her, there is the need to dismantle barriers such as undue delays in the arbitration process, financial hurdles, as well as technology and infrastructure challenges that limit virtual hearings.

She alluded to the progress made in international commercial arbitration which has increased the role for African arbitrators and women in arbitration across the world.

The new Chairman of the committee, Mr. Tolulope Aderemi, a partner in Perchstone & Graeys LP which has been involved in several high profile domestic and international energy and construction arbitration matters promised that  the new executive members will do all within its power to advance the course for improved administration of justice and advocacy for change.

“ With the continuing growth of electronic commerce, increase in low volume high value claims, our focus will be to train lawyers to unlearn skills antithetical to the interest of parties and the overall practice or arbitration.

“It is time to work with businesses and move from dispute resolution to conflict avoidance/management.” he said.

Aderemi commended the former chairperson, Mrs Rhodes-Vivour, for her tireless sacrifice and dedication to the development of the ILA.

The highpoint of the conference was the swearing in of the new executives of the Arbitration Committee, under the leadership of Aderemi.

Other members of the executive committee include Vice Chairperson, Ofonime Enoh, Foluke Akinmoladun (Secretary), Deinma Dibi (Programs Officer), Mobolaji Oriola (Treasurer) and Shola Soyele (Media and Publicity Officer).

Other dignitaries and leading arbitrators present at the event included the President of ILA Nigeria, Prof. Fidelis Oditah, (KC), (SAN), President of the Mauritius Branch of the ILA, Steven Sengayen, Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Isa Hayatu Chiroma, (SAN), Tunde Bosere (SAN), Clement Ighodarho Osuya, Nadia Ameh, Ignacio Dais amongst others,