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THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ARBITRATORS NIGERIA BRANCH

10^th Anniversary (1998-2008)

Secretariat: Old Niger House, l't Floor, 163/165, Broad Street (Marina View), Adjacent to Elephant House, Lagos Nigeria.

Tel.: 234-1-7739694, 234-1-2640627, 07028191760, 08034644338, Fax: 234-1-2640628

E:mail arbitrators@hyperia.com, info@ciarb.orgWebsite: www.arbitrators.org, www.ciarbnigeria.org

THE FACTS ABOUT THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ARBITRATORS

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) is an international organization operating under a Charter granted by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II as a not-for-profit, UK registered, charity working in the public interest through an international network of more than 30 Branches and Chapters. It was founded in 1915, and presently has over 11,000 members across more than 100 countries. It is an acknowledged centre of excellence for the global promotion, facilitation and development of all forms of dispute resolution, providing users of arbitration and ADR with the confidence that its members have a globally recognized, assured, level of training and experience. Arbitration and ADR practitioners worldwide aspire to achieve the highest attainable CIArb qualifications and users demand that appointees demonstrate a comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the field. CIArb qualifications are earned and are not in the gift of any member of the Institute. The CIArb's fastest growing Branch worldwide, with almost 1,000 members, is the Nigeria Branch.

By contrast, the Association of Arbitrators of Nigeria was formed in 1979 by individuals in Nigeria, many of whom were members of the ClArb. On July 18 1988, it was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. Subsequently, it underwent two changes of name; first to "Chartered Association of Arbitrators", and then to "Chartered Institute of Arbitrators - Nigeria", even though it possesses no Charter. It has adopted the acronyms of the CIArb, and hands out its highest "qualification" to persons who have demonstrated no knowledge of arbitration or alternative dispute resolution, have received no training in, and have no experience of, arbitration or ADR, and continues to act in defiance of a directive from the Corporate Affairs Commission to change its name due to the fact that it is not a "Chartered" body.

Users of arbitration and ADR in Nigeria need to understand that "qualifications" from the body formerly known as the Association of Arbitrators of Nigeria have no recognition beyond that association. Persons with such "qualifications" do not possess the globally recognized, assured, level of training and experience, possessed by those with genuine CIArb qualifications.

We do not suggest that members of the body formerly known as the Association of Arbitrators of Nigeria are not qualified to conduct arbitration or ADR. That judgment is for the appointing parties. However, users must understand that not every person in Nigeria claiming to possess the globally recognized qualifications of the ClArb does indeed possess such qualifications. If in doubt, please contact the Secretariat of the Nigerian Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators at the above address.