Conferences
2023
Ninth Annual SOAS Arbitration in Africa Conference 2023 11 October 2023 at University of Cape Town
The Ninth SOAS Arbitration in Africa annual conference will hold at the University of Cape Town on 11 October 2023. This conference will focus our engagement on the arbitral procedure. We will examine practices in relation to preliminary meeting/CMC;
effective procedural order no 1, issues around witness examination; deliberation of the tribunal, and drafting the award.
The primary objective will be for participants to share their experiences and learn from each other. We shall produce and critique draft documents for the preliminary meeting; procedural order no 1; identify some dos and don'ts for witness examination and deliberations by the tribunal and headings template for the final award.
Participants: those who already sit as arbitrators either in domestic or cross-border
disputes.
Number of participants: maximum 200 people from across the African continent and
beyond (particularly those who will also attend the AAA annual conference).
Forthcoming speaking engagements:
2022
Past Speaking engagements:
2022
April
5 April: speak on “Modern perspectives on arbitration in Africa” at the Hamburg International Arbitration day conference.
March
23 March: spoke on arbitration in Africa at the launch of the HSF 2022 Guide to Arbitration in Africa event at the London Offices of Herbert Smith Freehills.
15 March: Spoke on a panel discussion on diversity in arbitration at the Tel Aviv Arbitration Week.
8 March: spoke on “African women in legal education and the impact on the attainment of SDGs 4 and 5” at the IWD conference organised by World Association for Sustainable Developments.
February
10 Feb: chaired a panel on the seats and institutions in Middle East Energy arbitration organised by Brandon Marlone at the London offices of HSF.
January
20 Jan: was in conversation with Ambassador Namira Negm, Legal Counsel of the African Union for AFAS.
12 Jan: Participated in ArbinBrief event by interviewing Celine Greenberg on bifurcation of awards.
December
06 December 2021: spoke at APAA conference on SOAS arbitration in Africa projects.
02 December 2021: spoke at Clyde & co webinar on “Opportunities and Challenges for Arbitration in Anglophone Africa”.
November
23-24 Nov: SOAS/CIMAC 7th Arbitration in Africa conference (http://cimac.ma/soas-cimac-
21 Nov: moderate AFAS virtual in Conversation with Njeri Kariuki on African women in arbitration.
18 Nov: speak at Young Arbitral Women event on Intersectionality of race, culture, and gender in international arbitration.
9 Nov: speak at ICSID Roundtable on Building Diversity in International Dispute Settlement.
October
29 Oct: speak on the role of the third party neutral in African traditional dispute resolution processes at webinar for Mediation Week at University of Central Lancashire
28 Oct: speak on AI, ADR, Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity at JAMS event in London
26 Oct: speak on ADR and sustainability at CIArb ADR webinar
21 Oct: moderate AFAS virtual in Conversation with Njeri Kariuki on African women in arbitration.
14 Oct: Moderate GAR arbitration in Africa event.
13 Oct: keynote speech on race and justice for black people.
2021
23 Sept: speak on arbitration in Africa at New York University virtual event.
14 Sept: Spoke on a panel discussion on ‘Necessary reforms for an Effective EFCC in Nigeria’ as part of SOAS Anti-Corruption Evidence Research Project
6 Sept: moderate panel on diversity for GRN virtual event.
1 Sept: speak on GAR diversity virtual event.
12 Aug: speak on arbitration in Africa at Wilmer Hale (virtual) meeting.
5 Aug: interview on the 2020 Arbitration in Africa survey report by the GRN Think Thank (virtual).
27 July: lead speaker at a virtual training workshop on drafting valid and effective arbitration agreements for the NBA, Abuja branch.
22 July: spoke on institutions that administer investment disputes at a virtual meeting of the Young Mute Off Thursdays Group.
17 June: moderated AFAS virtual in Conversation event with Charles Nairac with focus on African arbitral institutions.
I June: spoke on becoming a successful academic and arbitrator at the ICC Africa virtual conference
17 May: moderated AFAS virtual in Conversation event with Kamal Shah with focus on mentoring.
10 May: spoke on a panel on corruption in arbitration organised by Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP for the LIDW Week
5 May: gave keynote on the role of arbitration institutions in developing international arbitration at the Top Arbitral Centres virtual conference organised by Centre for International Legal Affairs of Iran.
5 May: spoke on a panel on Phase II of the AFCFTA Negotiations (Investment, Competition and IP Protocols) at a virtual conference organised by the University of Bocconi, Italy.
12 March: was interviewed on ADR by Chinwe Umegbolu for her podcast show.
11 March: moderated AFAS virtual in Conversation with Prof P.O. Idornigie.
8 March: Keynote paper to the Africa Interest Group of the American Society of International Law on International Women’s Day on the Theme, “Let’s Choose to Challenge”.
9 March: participated in RPC LLP webinar on arbitration in Africa.
5 March: spoke on CIArb Oxford Diploma Panel on arbitrator appointments.25 Feb: moderated SOAS arbitration webinar on virtual arbitration and the effect of covid-16 on international arbitration.
18 Jan: spoke on my experience of diversity in international arbitration at the launch webinar for REAL
2020
18 Dec: moderated webinar ICSID Reforms by Meg Kinnear to our SOAS community.
16 Dec: gave a research webinar on international investment law and development to the faculty at the School of Law, University of Aberdeen.
9 Dec: debated African seats for African arbitrations organised by GAR.
8 Dec: radio interview on my research with Hussain Ayed of the knowshow.net
26 Nov: spoke on a panel that discussed promoting a pro-enforcement culture in Africa: new measures in arbitration and mediation, at the CIArb Nigerian Branch virtual conference.
30 Oct: was interviewed by Alice Gyamfi of Arbitrator Intelligence on my career in arbitration.
16 Oct: moderated a webinar on the review of Nigerian arbitration law organised by Olisa Agbakoba and Co.
15 Oct: moderated a panel on Furthering black Women in HE and Careers webinar for Black History month at SOAS.
27 Aug: spoke on diversity for Africans in arbitration with focus on the African Promise at the EAIAC virtual conference
26 Aug: spoke on careers in arbitration at the East Africa International Arbitration (virtual) Conference.
14 Aug: spoke on panel on researching and writing good opinion and award: a comparative approach at a webinar organised by KIAC, Kigali.
6 Aug: launch of the 2020 Arbitration in Africa survey report webinar organised by ALSF.
29 July: spoke on the African Promise at the ICC Costa Rica webinar.
17 July: spoke on a panel on racial and ethnic diversity in international arbitration webinar organised by the Asia International Arbitration Centre.
7 July: spoke on arbitration in Africa webinar organised by DLA Piper as part of the Paris Arbitration Week.
2 July: spoke on …at the NCIA conference/webinar
29 May: spoke on research for lawyers in arbitration at a webinar organised by Sola Ajijola & Co, Lagos.
11-12 March: Organised and spoke at the 6th SOAS Arbitration in Africa on Legal Cultures and their impact on arbitration in Africa, co-hosted by CMAG, Douala, Cameroon.
9 March: spoke on a panel that discussed Entry into arbitration at the ICC/YAF event in Douala.
6 Feb: spoke on a panel that discussed “Diversity and Digitalisation: the future of the workplace” at the LSE German Symposium Beyond Borders 2020 at LSE, London.
2019
25-26 September 2019: spoke at the UNCITRAL Intersessional Meeting on ISDS Reforms for African States, Conakry, Guinea.
22-24 August 2019: spoke at the 18th CBAr International Arbitration Conference in Brasilia on ‘Arbitration and interpretation of contracts involving state institutions.
10 June 2019: spoke at the Mauritius Arbitration Week in Port Louis on ‘Mauritius as a dispute resolution seat for African investment disputes”.
7 May 2019: panel presentation on London as a dispute resolution hub for international parties, Norton Rose Fulbright Offices part of the first London International Disputes Week events.
3 April 2019: presented the SOAS Arbitration in Africa Survey at the first African Arbitration Association (AFAA) Arbitration conference at Radisson Blu, Kigali.
8 March 2019: gave the Keynote speech on the SOAS Arbitration in Africa Survey 2018 at the fourth annual conference on Energy Arbitration and ADR in MENA and Africa Regions; CMS Law Offices, London.
2018
9-11 December 2018: spoke on the attitude of English courts towards enforcement of arbitral awards under the New York Convention, Sharm El Sheikh CRCICA conference.
29 November 2018: spoke on the interpretation of force majeure and hardship clauses in contracts by courts in English speaking African countries at the 38th Annual Conference of the ICC Institute of World Business in Paris.
22-23 November 2018: spoke on the role of arbitrators and arbitral institutions in promoting arbitration in Africa, at the Libya CICA conference in Tunis.
25 October 2018: spoke on inclusive representation of Africans in International Arbitration: findings from our SOAS Arbitration survey 2018 at the CIArb Annual conference 2018, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
6 September 2018: spoke at the China-AALCO Exchange and Research Program on International Law on the topic, “Effective Dispute Settlement Mechanisms as a driver for achieving common prosperity” in Beijing.
02 July 2018: chaired a panel discussion on “The Global South in an Era of Shifting Geopolitics” hosted in the London offices of Wilmer Hale LLP.
26-29 June 2018: gave the lead paper, “Establishing a framework for Resolving Intra-African Commercial Disputes” at the 12th annual Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law conference, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Nigeria.
14 June 2018: spoke on “Actors of arbitration systems in Africa: focus on legal profession” at the first conference of AfricArb titled Arbitration in Africa: quo vadis? State of play, trends and perspectives” at Universitie Paris II, Sorbonne.
2 May 2018: launched the SOAS Arbitration in Africa Survey Report at Radisson Blu, Kigali.
2-4 May 2018: organised the fourth SOAS Arbitration in Africa Conference on the role of arbitration practitioners in the development of arbitration in Africa. This conference was co-hosted by the Kigali International Arbitration Centre in Kigali.
6-7 March 2018: chaired the panel on “Energy poverty in energy rich countries: a drive for disputes? At the 3rd annual conference on Energy Arbitration and Dispute Resolution in the Middle East and Africa, at the offices of Herbert Smith Freehills in London.
2017
3-4 November 2017: 3rd Casablanca Arbitration Days in Casablanca: chaired the panel on “The Recent Developments in African Arbitration Law and Practice”.
1-2 November 2017: 5th ICC Maghreb Arbitration Days in Tunis: spoke on “The Role of the Judiciary in the Supervision of Arbitration”.
26-27 October 2017: LCIA Africa Users’ Council Symposium on International Arbitration in Abuja: chaired the panel on the “Proliferation of Arbitration Centres in Africa: a gift or a curse?”
24 October 2017: 2nd ICAMA Arbitration Roundtable on “Growing and Sustaining Domestic Arbitration and ADR in Africa” at Abuja: spoke on the panel on “Growing and sustaining arbitration and ADR in Africa: historical background, policy objectives and issues”.
19-20 July 2017: CIArb Africa Regional Conference, Johannesburg, spoke on fees and cost on the panel discussing arbitral practice in civil and common law styles.
4-6 July 2017: participated in UNCITRAL 50th Anniversary conference in Vienna.
22 June 2017: Africa Research Institute launch of their counterpoint on How ADR made a comeback in Nigeria’s court: Justice without lawyers: how Lagos fashioned an alternative to litigation. I spoke on the MDC scheme in Nigeria and access to justice.
9 June 2017: spoke on the panel that discussed, ‘Are arbitrators’ bringers of justice or dispute resolution service providers, and does it matter?’ in the 3rd SIA Alumni Conference on “Due Process Paranoia and Justice … Fairy tales or reality in international arbitration?” at Clyde & co LLP, London 2015 offices.
25 May 2017: spoke on my views of arbitration in Africa at the UNCITRAL/APAA Arbitration conference in Yaounde, Cameroon.
27 April 2017: moderated a panel discussion on the education of the girl child in Nigeria at the SOAS Centenary celebration, Civic Centre, Lagos.
4-5 April 2017: Organised and gave a welcome address at the SOAS/CRCICA 2017 Arbitration in Africa Conference on “The Role of African States and Governments in the Development of Arbitration in Africa”.
2016
4-6 Dec 2016: Nairobi International Arbitration Centre Conference, Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi. Spoke on the New York Convention and African states.
23 Nov 2016: Law & Development in Africa annual seminar at Hunton & Williams LLP. Spoke on state immunity.
19-20 Nov 2016: Cairo International Arbitration Conference, Sharm El Sheikh. Spoke on attitude of African courts towards arbitration.
8 Nov 2016: delivered a guest lecture at the Anglia Ruskin University School of Law (Cambridge) on the continued relevance of the state in arbitration.
2 Nov 2016: BIICL Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law & White & Case Rule of Law Seminar on Arbitration & the Rule of Law: Challenges, changes and contradictions. Spoke on Arbitration in Africa in the last 20 years. The event was chaired by Sir William Blair of the Commercial Court.
10-12 August 2016: Lead facilitator in arbitration training at the Ghana Arbitration Centre, Accra.
14-15 July 2016: African Commercial Law Foundation Inaugural Conference at Murray College, Cambridge University – participated as a panellist.
22-24 June 2016: SOAS/LCA Arbitration in Africa conference in Lagos, “Rethinking the role of courts and judges in supporting arbitration in Africa”. Spoke on the symbiotic relationship between judges and arbitrators. I co-organised this conference.
19-21 June: 1st ICC Africa Regional Arbitration Conference, Lagos: spoke and moderated the panel: “Abuse of process in International Arbitration: role of Counsel”.
8-11 May: ICCA Mauritius conference: spoke on the panel: “The interface between domestic courts and arbitral tribunals”.
13 April 2016: delivered the Transnational Justice Lecture for the Transnational Justice Lecture Series by Georgetown University at Gray’s Inn, London. Spoke on OHADA Commercial law harmonisation tool and its impact on Africa.
31 March 2016: moderated a half-day conference on “The urgency of Greater Participation by African Stakeholders in Arbitrations involving African Interests” hosted and co–organised by Shearman & Sterling LLP, London Offices, and ICC YAF.
2015
9 December 2015: member of a panel discussion on investment arbitration in Africa; organised by Queen Mary, SciencePo Law School; ICDR Y&I, in Paris.
2-4 November 2015: spoke on “Appointment of African arbitrators in ISDS: case study of ICSID at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) Nigerian branch 2015 annual conference at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.
3 October 2015: gave a keynote speech on educating the girl child at a charity event organised by The Girl Effect at Holiday Inn, Brent Cross, London.
02 September 2015: chaired a panel discussion on “Dispute Resolution in Africa” in honour of Judge Abdulqawi Yusuf, Vice President, ICJ at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, LLP, London.
23 July 2015: organised and presented a paper at the conference on “The role of arbitration institutions in the development of arbitration in Africa”, Africa Union Commission, Addis Ababa.
24 June 2015: spoke on the Panel, “Doing Business in Africa” organised by the Eversheds Africa Law Institute at the London offices of Eversheds LLP.
22 April 2015: spoke on the Panel, “Influences of local habits: what works and what doesn’t”, at the 30th Anniversary of the School of International Arbitration, QMUL in the London offices of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP.