The Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators is a
registered mark of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria. It is the
first body of Professional Arbitrators
Nigeria. It was founded in 1979 under the leadership of His Excellency, Judge
Bola Ajibola, SAN, KBE and duly incorporated in 1988 under the Companies Act as
a legal entity limited by Guarantee. It
is a professional body dedicated to promoting, facilitating and determining of
disputes by arbitration, mediation, conciliation and other forms of Alternative
Dispute Resolution ADR Mechanisms.
Nicarb is in the forefront of the development of
alternatives to litigation in Nigeria. Besides being at the forefront of
promoting the knowledge and practice of arbitration and ADR, NICArb has gained
reputation as the preferred appointing authority and arbitration handling
institution for a broad spectrum of commercial disputants.
The Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators, has over
1,700 members comprising of Associates, Qualified Mediators, Members and
Fellows. These individuals are drawn from diverse professional backgrounds
including the academia, accounting, construction, engineering, judiciary,
legal, public service and a host of others. The Institute has virtually all the
greatest jurists of our time as Associates, Qualified Mediators, Members or
Fellows. These include former Justices and Judges of the Supreme Court of
Nigeria, President Court of Appeal, Chief Judges and Judges of High Courts,
Senior Advocates and Retired Judges.
The Institute has established state branches in Abuja,
Anambra, Akwa Ibom/Cross Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Kano/Kaduna,
and Osun. These state branches are headed by Fellows of the Institute.
There are at present four categories of membership of the
Institute
Fellows
Members
Associates
Qualified Mediators
On the completion of the Institute’s training programme, a
successful participant will be qualified to add the acronym ‘FCArb’ (in case of
a Fellow), ‘MCArb’ (in case of a Member), ‘ACArb’ (in case of an Associate) and
‘Q.Med’ (in case of a Qualified Mediator) after his/her name.
Our Objectives.
The Institute trains and develops arbitrators as well as
promote the use of Arbitration for dispute resolution. Its core objectives are:
Promote and facilitate the settlement of disputes by
arbitration and other methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Provide trainings and continuous professional development to
its members.
Improve the standard of skills and expertise of Arbitrators
and those involved in ADR.
Promote the study of Arbitration Law generally and ADR.
Promote the practice and demostration of arbitration and
other forms of ADR as the first option for dispute resolution.
Benefits of Membership
Admission to the Institute’s Panel of Neutrals for ADRs.
Access to the Institute’s library.
Free attendance to its Annual Conference.
Discounts on arbitration and ADR Seminars ,Workshops and
Conferences.
Distribution of journals to paying members of the Institute.
Inclusion in the Institute’s Faculty database.
Free newsletters and other literature on ADR research to
paying members of the Institute.
Online resource to support arbitration research.
Opportunity for networking with diverse professionals.
Our Activities.
The Institute’s core focus is in the area of professional
training and practical arbitral skills development. This is delivered by means
of seminars and workshops for practicing and potential arbitrators.
Participants benefit from a range of interactive exercises, case study, class
discussions and practical training session of the moot arbitration to get
practical experience on the arbitral procedure.
Some of its offerings include:
The Mediation Training Programme:
The Mediation Training Programme (MEDTP) focuses on the
practicality, processes and principles of negotiating settlements.
This Programme is a two day intensive training designed for
professionals interested in acquiring technical conflict management skills.
At the end of the MEDTP, participants will be expected to
demonstrate an in-depth appreciation of the mediation processes and features as
well as abilities required for effective mediation practice.
Conventional Associates Training Programme:
The Conventional Associate Training Programme – (CATP) is
for all professionals irrespective of their field of discipline, who intend to
practice arbitration as Associates of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered
Arbitrators.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The Conventional Associate Training comprises of 8 modules.
On successful completion and assessment mode of this
Associate Training Programme, the Participant should be able to demonstrate an
understanding / knowledge of the following:
Outline and critically appraise the principal steps in any
ADR mechanism.
Principles of ADRs, discuss their application in the use of
such ADRs to settle disputes.
Demonstrate competence and a deep understanding of all
mechanisms and schemes in the ADR spectrum; including emerging trends in the
ADR Spectrum.
The regulatory Laws as pertaining and governing some ADR
Mechanisms.
A good understanding of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act
2004 vis a vis the The UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial
Arbitration.
The Participant will also add the acronym ‘ACArb’ after his
name.
These modules include – Law of Contract; Nigerian Legal
System; Law of Evidence; Arbitration & Conciliation Laws & Procedures;
Dynamics of Negotiation in the Mediation Process and other forms of ADRs
amongst other Courses.
COURSE EXEMPTIONS
Exemptions will be granted in one or more Modules. These are
in Law of Contract; Nigerian Legal System; and Law of Evidence.
These exemptions are based solely on courses that have been
previously completed in a renowned tertiary Institution, at first degree/higher
national diploma or professional examination level.
Work experience and high school courses are not grounds for
exemption.
Required documentation for an exemption are, “photocopy of
the official transcript/course outlines, diploma and professional certification
with evidence of having undertaken the required course for which exemptions are
sought”.
To apply for an exemption: Kindly complete and send in the
Exemption Application Form.
ASSESSMENT:
Assessment of the modules is by way of written examination.
Fast Track Associate Training Programme:
The Fast Track Associate Training Programme- (FTAP) is a
training programme for very busy executives, entrepreneurs, and top government
officials who intend being part of the arbitration and ADR world, but are not
able to participate in the conventional training and examination programme.
The programme is a two-day intensive practical training
course on arbitration and ADR.
At the end of the programme, assessment of the participants
will be by a Peer review.
This Training Programme comes up thrice a year.
Membership Training Programme:
This Membership Training Programme (MEMTP) is a middle cadre
training open to Associate members of the Institute with 5 years standing and
other qualified professionals with 10 years work experience and knowledge of
Arbitration.
The programme is a two-day intensive practical training
course on arbitration and ADR
This training programme comes up thrice a year.
Course
Pre-qualification:
Must be a Professional of at least 10 years standing or an
Associate member of the Institute with 5 years standing.
There will be a Peer Evaluation Process.
Expected Outcome:
On successful completion of this training course, delegates
should have a deep knowledge and understanding of:
Salient elements of Comparative International Commercial
Arbitration.
The Uncitral Model Law.
A Critical Evaluation of International Centre for Settlement
of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
Arbitral Challenges and Limitations from the perspective of
the Losing Party.
Salient Points in Arbitration award writing.
Arbitration Hearings and Procedures: from Commencement to
Award Writing and Current Issues in International Arbitration.
Upon successful completion of this Membership Course and
induction, the successful particpants can add the acrony”MCArb” after his name.
Fellowship Training Programme:
The ‘Fast Track Fellowship Programme’ – (FTFP) is a training
programme for seasoned professionals who have distinguished themselves in their
respective fields and who are interested in practicing Arbitration as Fellows
of the Institute. They must also have carved a niche for themselves in the
practice of Arbitration and other forms of ADR.
It is a full two-day practical training programme on
Arbitration and other forms of ADR.
The training programme takes participants through the
advance principles of arbitration proceedings and other forms of ADR. It
provides them the opportunity to acquire international best practice mechanism
as it highlights the practice of Arbitration and ADR in other jurisdictions by
giving a comparative study of these practices and procedures.
The programme looks at the intricacies involved in arbitrial
proceedings, writing of awards, directions and orders, including emerging forms
of Alternative Dispute Resolution, such as Negotiation, Mediation, Conciliation
etc. At the end of the programme, participants will be assessed by a peer
review.
Before qualifying to participate in this programme,
candidates are required to submit evidences of having served as an Arbitrator
in at least three arbitration or ADR proceedings and /or have written at least
three article(s) or book(s) on Arbitration and other Forms of ADR.
Conversion Training Courses for Members of other Arbitration
Bodies:
The Conversion training programme is basically for members
of other Arbitration bodies who wish to become members of the Nigerian
Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb). The Institute trains Associates or
those on Membership cadre of other Arbitation bodies who wish to become members
of NICArb.
The Institute trains Members of other Arbitration bodies
interested in becoming Fellows of NICArb.
The Institute also organize training for Fellows of other
Arbitration bodies who wish to Fellows of NICArb.
At the end of the training, the participants are assessed
and inducted as Fellows of NICArb.
Seminars:
The Institute organises seminars, workshops and symposia to
expose practitioners and intending practitioners to the need to promote ADR as
well as highlight its commercial and economic benefits to the development of a
nation. These programmes are held every quarter in the year.
Annual Conference on Arbitration/ADR:
Through its Annual Conference, the Institute brings together
experts in arbitration and ADR to discuss national and global trends with an
aim to proffering solutions to underlying challenges in the field. It is held
once a year and is open to all members and other professionals.
Investiture of New Members/Award Ceremony:
New members that have met and satisfied the requirement for
administration and development of arbitration and ADRs are inducted in a unique
and celebrated event in November, which culminates the Institute’s calendar
year.
For inquiries contact +234 8132993651, +234 817101592
First Floor, International Centre for Arbitration and
ADR.1A, Remi Olowude Street,
Lekki Peninsula, Phase 1, 2nd Roundabout, Lekki-Epe
Expressway,Lagos.
Website:www.nicarb.org
Email: info@nicarb.org
State Branches:
Abuja:
Cs 99/100 Drive 1,
Prince & Princess Estate
FCT- Abuja
Tel: 08036912509
Asaba:
Opposite Legistlative Quaters,
Okpanam Road,
Asaba, Delta State
Tel: 08054923055
Enugu:
23, Umuawulu Street
Independence Layout
Enugu, Enugu State
Tel: 07065128170
Osogbo:
Block J, Plot 9, Oroki Estate,
Osogbo, Osun State
Tel: 08033333811
Yenagoa:
1/3 Collins Daniel Close
Off Samphino Hotel Road, Kpansia,
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
Tel: 08037075805
