Inaugural Africa Arbitration Day

Event Details:

The British Institute of International and Comparative Law in cooperation with the School of International Arbitration at Queen Mary University of London and Babcock University are organising the first African Arbitration Day, an authoritative conference on recent developments and topics of interest in international arbitration in Africa. Given COVID-19, this year's event is being presented as two half day webinars.

The speakers will discuss the following topics:

• The challenges of having Africa as a preferred seat of arbitration
• Inclusiveness: choice of Africans as arbitrators
• Dealing with investment treaty challenges
• Court support for arbitration: interim orders
• The relevance of economic crimes and Illegality
• State immunity and other topics

  
Why Arbitration in Africa:

Today, Africa is arguably the most magnetic of the world's emerging economies with a fast-rising youthful population and enormous opportunities for international trade and investments. Disputes arising in Africa have increased more than disputes from other parts of the world in all major arbitration institutes. This conference will address the most significant challenges and offer deep insights into issues that will affect strategy in dealing with disputes in future.

Who Should Attend:

In-house counsel and consultants and others responsible for international arbitration and litigation of companies and organisations, partners and head of litigation in international and domestic law firms who must not miss out on their share of dispute resolution work arising in or from Africa.

Programme

3 September 2020, 10.00 - 13.50 (UK time)

10:00-10:10 | Welcome and Introduction
Prof. Yarik Kryvoi, Investment Treaty Forum, BIICL, London

10:10-10:55 | Keynote address & Q/A
Abubakar Malami, SAN, the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation of Nigeria, Abuja
Chair: Prof. Julian Lew, Queen Mary University of London

10.55-11.10 | Stretch Break

11.10-12:20 | Panel 1: Inclusiveness of Arbitrators & Q/A
Chair: Sir Bernard Rix, BIICL, London

•   Amb. Namira Negm, African Union, Addis Ababa
•   Tafadzwa Pasipanodya, Foley Hoag, Washington, DC
•   Prof. Makane Mbengue, University of Geneva

12:20-12:30 | Stretch Break

12:30-13:40 | Panel 2: Dealing with investment treaty challenges & Q/A
Chair: Sylvia Noury, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, London

 •  Doyin Rhodes Vivour, SAN, Doyin Rhodes-Vivour & Co, Lagos
 •  Matthew Weiniger QC, Linklaters, London
 •  Ndanga Kamau, Ndanga Kamau Law, Hague

13.45-13.50 | Closing remarks
Prof. Bankole Sodipo, Babcock University, Ilishan

4 September 2020, 10.00 - 13.50 (UK time)

10:00-10:10 | Welcome and Introduction
Prof. Stavros Brekoulakis, Director School of International Arbitration, Queen Mary University of London

10:10-10:55 | Keynote address & Q/A
Hon. Mr. Justice Mike Chibita, Justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda, Kampala
Chair: Charles Nairac, White & Case, President, Arbitration committee, Lagos Court of Arbitration, Paris

10.55-11.10 Stretch Break

11.10-12:20 | Panel 3: Africa as a seat of arbitration & local court support & Q/A
Chair: Prof. Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Zulficar Partners & Cairo University

 •  Ike Ehiribe, 7 Stones Chambers, London
 •  Narcisse Aka, Secretary General, OHADA's Common Court of Justice and Arbitration, Abidjan
 •  Paula Hodges QC, Herbert Smith Freehills, London, President of the LCIA 

12:20-12:30 | Stretch Break

 12:30-13:40 | Panel 4: African Courts and the Enforcement of Arbitral Awards & Q/A
Chair: Dr Remy Gerbay, Queen Mary University of London

• Lady Justice Abha N. Patel, SC, High Court of Zambia, Kitwe
• Sarah McKenzie, Webber Wentzel, Joburg 
• Tunde Ogunseitan, International lawyer, Former Counsel ICC, London

13.45-13.50 | Closing remarks
Prof. Bankole Sodipo, Babcock University, Ilishan

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