CIArb Trains Members on Ethics in International Arbitration
The Nigeria Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK (CIArb), the internationally recognised home of arbitrators and alternative dispute resolvers, held its 4th Workshop series on February 21st, 2018.
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) is the leading international professional membership organisation, renowned for its qualitative educational/ training programmes and its emphasis on compliance with the highest standards of ethical conduct. The CIArb is a
not-for-profit charitable organisation, which works in the public interest through an international network of 39 branches with over 15,000 members based in more than 130 countries. The CIArb has supported the global promotion, facilitation and development of private dispute resolution for the past 100 years, while representing the interests of alternative dispute resolution practitioners, the world over.
The CIArb Arbitration Workshop Series, is in line with the Institute’s commitment to the delivery of quality education and training, aimed at the development of a learned society in the field of dispute resolution and building capacity in the field within our shores. The Workshop Series, is sponsored by members of the Institute, and Speakers are drawn from the wide pool of the Institute’s highly trained Arbitrators and alternative dispute resolvers. Attendance is free to members of the Institute, whilst non-members who wish to attend, pay a nominal fee.
The 4th in the Series was sponsored by the Law Firm of Akinwumi & Busari, with the theme “Ethics in International Arbitration”. Participants were exposed to the peculiarities of international arbitration proceedings, the various instruments drawn up in the field, including those on ethical codes and taking of evidence, common pitfalls to avoid and strategies to improve case preparation. Two speakers, Mr. Tunde Ogunseitan, Counsel, International Court of Arbitration, Paris France and Dr. Bayo Adaralegbe, Partner, Babalakin & Co., dealt extensively on the very important topic of Ethics.
The event commenced with Mrs. Rhodes-Vivour, the Chairman of the Institute, delivering her opening remarks. She welcomed participants to the CIArb workshop. She said that “indeed the vision of the Institute’s founding fathers, to raise the practice of arbitration to a distinct and learned profession, has been actualised, and that the Institute remains focused on retaining its leadership edge, with utmost emphasis on not compromising on its values (dignity and respect, professionalism, loyalty and trust, ownership and accountability)”. She stated that, the Institute is passionate about promoting arbitration and ADR, and helping people and organisations resolve their conflicts through their global network. She further stated that, the event of the day was focused on discussing the very important topic of ethics, a bedrock of the continuing efficacy of the arbitral system.
Mr. Tunde Busari, SAN, representing the host organisation, stated in his opening remarks that the training seeks to explore the professional conduct and obligations of participants in international arbitration, including arbitrators, counsel, arbitral institutions, and third-party funders. He went on to say that, regardless of the obvious and appreciable growth of international arbitration in recent years, the need to ensure that high ethical standards continue to be maintained, is essential in the arbitral process.