ICC brings Advanced Arbitration Academy programme to Africa and Middle East 

Tailored for seasoned arbitration practitioners aspiring to become arbitrators, the one-year programme covers key stages of arbitration proceedings from an arbitrator’s perspective. Taking place in four cities across two continents, the programme delves into issues relating to arbitration under ICC Arbitration Rules. This includes arbitrator appointment, tribunal jurisdiction, case management, provisional remedies, security for costs, evidence, hearing, award and scrutiny and notification of the award. Limited to 40 participants, the exclusive programme includes assignments, group work and eight in-person, mandatory workshops.  

Ruslan Mirzayev, Head of Education and Training at ICC Dispute Resolution Services, said: 

“The launch of the Advanced Arbitration Academies in Africa and Middle East serves the commitment to the ICC Court’s purpose to enable access to justice across the globe. We aim to build the capacity of arbitrators throughout the world, thus contribute to the geographical, national, cultural and gender diversity and availability of professional arbitrators ready to render justice in different languages, in different regions and globally.” 

Upon conclusion of the programme, graduates will have acquired a strong command of arbitration procedures and techniques, and will be capable of acting as arbitrators in international arbitration cases, with a particular focus on ICC Arbitration Rules. Graduates receive a certificate in recognition of the level of expertise gained. In addition, the programme is a unique opportunity for participants to exchange and network with leading professionals in the field. 

The Advanced Arbitration Academy for Africa is co-chaired by Funke Adekoya (Arbitrator, Funke Adekoya Arbitration Practice) and Jacob Grierson (Founding Partner, Anima Dispute Resolution), with sessions scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya in May 2024; Dakar, Senegal in September 2024; Casablanca, Marocco in December 2024; and Accra, Ghana in March 2025.  

Diamana Diawara, ICC Director of Arbitration and ADR for Africa, said: 

“The ICC Advanced Arbitration Academy for Africa marks a crucial step in the ICC Court’s efforts over the past three years to effectively contribute to diversity and inclusion in line with its Centenary Declaration. This programme will undoubtedly shape a whole new generation of highly qualified arbitrators from Africa. I can only state how excited I am to meet the first African class of the ICC Advanced Arbitration Academy for Africa in a few months.” 

The Advanced Arbitration Academy for the Middle East is co-chaired by Nadine Debbas Achkar (Independent Arbitrator), Alain Farhad (Partner, Head of International Arbitration, Mayer Brown LLP), and Roland Ziadé (Partner, Global Co-Head of International Arbitration, Linklaters), with sessions scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar in September 2024; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in November 2024; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in February 2025; and Cairo, Egypt in May 2025. 

Deadline for applications: 18 February 2024 for Africa and 17 March 2024 for Middle East