Stakeholders Seek Sustenance Of Arbitration Practice Via Mentorship
27 December 2022
By Yetunde Ayobami Ojo
Experts and other stakeholders in international commercial
arbitration have called for greater devotion to independence, impartiality,
integrity, as well as mentoring of the next generation to sustain legitimacy of
the practice of arbitration in Nigeria.
This was part of a recommendation made at the
International Arbitration Conference organised by the Committee on
International Commercial Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
of the International Law Association, Nigerian Branch (ILA Nigeria).
The event was held at the Lagos Arbitration Court
with the theme ‘Recent Trends and Opportunities in International Commercial
Arbitration, and had in attendance more than 200 participants.
The pioneer and immediate past chairperson of the
Committee, Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, in her presentation, titled, ‘Recent Trends
and Opportunities in International Commercial Arbitration,’ highlighted gaps
that needed to be addressed if Nigeria and other African countries would become
preferred arbitration seats.
She listed these to include, dismantling barriers
such as, undue delays in the arbitration process, financial hurdles, as well as
technology and infrastructure challenges that limit virtual hearings.
Rhodes-Vivour also emphasised the progress made in
international commercial arbitration, which has increased role for African
arbitrators and women in arbitration matters across the world.
However, the new Chairman of the committee,
Tolulope Aderemi, who has been involved in several high profile domestic and
international energy and construction arbitration matters promised that new
executive members would do all within its power to advance the course for
improved administration of justice and advocacy for change.
He said: “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.”
Aderemi commended the former chairperson,
Rhodes-Vivour, for her tireless sacrifice and dedication to the development of
the ILA.
Source: The Guardian
