EACJ Judges’ Training on Emerging Trends in Arbitration Sets Off

Judges in training session with Prof. Markham Ball.

Group picture for the Judges with Prof. Markham Ball and Ag. Registrar. 

 

East African Court of Justice Arusha 17 April 2015:  A two day training for Judges of the EACJ on emerging trends in arbitration set off yesterday  in Arusha. The training is organized by the International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP) in collaboration with the East African Court of Justice.

In his opening remarks, EACJ Judge President Hon. Justice Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja commended the support of the ISLP in strengthening the Court’s capacity in handling arbitration issues through training of the Judges.

He added that the program has come at a time when the Court is in need of more skills and knowledge in arbitration and that this will benefit East Africans willing to bring matters before the EACJ for Arbitration rather than taking them outside the region.

His Lordship further said that the public is not fully aware of the Court’s jurisdiction on arbitration and this was the right time for the litigants to approach the Court for arbitration. He noted the Court had so far received one (1) arbitration matter but expects more to be filed with the Court in the future as people realize the opportunities available.

The facilitator of the training, Professor Markham Ball, an Arbitrator and Mediator, told the Judges that the purpose of the training was to transform the Court’s ability in handling arbitration matters; where the Court may want to be in future and that arbitration is popular in the business community as well as with investors.

He also emphasized that arbitration is efficient particularly in addressing business matters and the Court plays a big role in enforcing arbitration awards. He said the training will look into modernizing the Court’s existing rules of Arbitration in order to optimize the Court’s efficiency as an arbitration Institution.

The EACJ, ISLP and Professor Ball signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 5th April 2015 with the goal to; assist the Court in its efforts to build the capacity of the Court to further promote the knowledge and practice of arbitration in East Africa as well as become a prominent arbitration center; assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Court and provide guidance on possible modifications of EACJ Rules of Arbitration 2012

In attendance were all Judges of the EAC Appellate and First Instance Divisions accompanied by the Ag. Registrar Ms. Geraldine Umugwaneza.

 

 

source: michuzi blog