SBL Seeks Ways for Arbitration/ADR Development

Participants at a two-day workshop on 'ADR as an Expenditious and Effective Means of Dispute Resolution' have urged the Federal Government to put in place initiatives through effective planning and strategy, with a view to ensuring that Nigeria becomes a regional hub for international arbitration. This would aid Nigeria in becoming a major regional centre for Arbitration/ADR.

A communiqué issued at the end of the workshop organised by the Arbitration/ADR Committee of Section on Business Law of Nigerian Bar Association and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators stated the need for government to place priority on the improvement of infrastructure, enhanced security and a favourable regulatory environment for the practice of ADR.

Mr. George Etomi, Chairman, Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association (SBL) whilst declaring open the workshop which was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites emphasied the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a cost effective means of dispute resolution. This view was also supported by Mr. Babajide Ogundipe, chairman, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria Branch) in his own welcome address.

Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, the Chairman, Committee on Arbitration/ADR of the Section on Business Law noted that the workshop was aimed at giving participants a deeper understanding of the arbitration and ADR process and would no doubt, raise the standard for Nigerian Arbitrators to conform with international best practices with a view to gaining and maintaining recognition and respect. "It is expected that by the end we would have been more knowledgeable of procedures, readily identifying the procedure that best suits the particular dispute at hand and the common pitfalls to avoid. For those of us already familiar with ADR the workshop will provide an opportunity to discuss and exchange view points. Knowledge is not golden, but power." Vivour said.

Papers in various aspects of ADR were presented by founder Nigerian Conflict Management Group (NCMG) and Director, Multi-Door Court House Mr. Kehinde Aina, Past President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) Mr. Tony Canham, Mr. Babajide Ogundipe, Director Training Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria Branch) Mr. Dele Belgore, SAN, Chief Tony Idigbe, SAN and a host of other top quality speakers.

It was generally agreed by speakers that Nigeria stands uniquely poised to become the major regional centre for dispute resolution on the continent. To realise this, participants were enjoined to work very hard to understand and get into this field so that the huge costs and time wasting associated with traditional litigation can be avoided by clients and in order that business can benefit from quick and cost effective ADR mechanisms.

The workshop which is the first SBL outing on ADR was sponsored by Intercontinental Bank, Inducon Nig Ltd, Multi-links, Babalakin & Co, Ajumogobia & Okeke, Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe, Belgore and Punuka Chambers. Other sponsors were Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria, F.O. Fagbohungbe & Co, Layi Babatunde & Co and Ayanlaja & Adesanya.
According to the communiqué jointly signed by Etomi and Ogundipe, there is need for an interactive role in ensuring that Nigerian ADR practitioners conform with the highest ethical standards and internationally acceptable best practices while applying sanctions when necessary. It was also resolved that government should put in place and ensure compliance with local content policy in all sectors of the Nigerian economy including the appointment of arbitrators.

The well attended workshop was not exclusive to lawyers as it had in attendance non-law professionals such as engineers, doctors, corporate counsels and other persons interested in gaining knowledge in the field of ADR. One of the participants, Mrs. Hajara Pitan of Babalakin & Co, told THISDAY LAW, that the workshop being SBL’s first outing on ADR was very successful, were organised and educative. She however urged that organisers of such workshops in future invite other professional bodies since arbitration cuts across all professions.

Legal personalities in attendance, included retired Supreme Court Justice Akintola Ejiwunmi, Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN, immediate past Chairman of the CIA (Nigeria Branch) Chief (Mrs.) Tinuade Oyekunle, Mr. Joe Kyari Gadzama, SAN and many others.

By Akinwale Akintunde