It is beyond dispute that many African nations have now developed beyond the traditional African Arbitration systems and have enacted contemporary legislation for the operation of Arbitration/ADR. This is in direct response to the realization of the enormous benefits derivable from this process of justice delivery which includes but not limited, to decongestion of the law court; friendly, quicker and inexpensive manner of resolving disputes; transparent and uncomplicated system of settlements, inherent ability to choose Judges [arbitrators], little or no adverse publicity, etc.
Apart from these obvious benefits, Arbitration & ADR are also very important to the African nations because of the lack of confidence or distrust some foreign investors have in the African judicial systems. If the African nations must attract the needed foreign investments, it seems they must, inter-alia, take steps towards creating a conducive legal framework especially in the area of commercial law. They must show that they have contemporary Arbitration/ADR legislation, properly set up and equipped Arbitration/AD centres/institutions, and knowledgeable and competent Arbitration/ADR practitioners, who are capable of arbitrating/mediating/negotiating disputes which are bound to arise in commercial and other transactions.
Published in 2005 by Dr. C. J. Amasike & Associates
About the Author/Executive General Editor
Professor C.J. Amasike, Ph.D; F.DRI; F.CIArb; M.ADRg; FIPA; FCTI, was a British Commonwealth & Chevening Scholar, and the current Chairman of International Dispute Resolution Institute – a Member Institute of the United Nations [UNCITRAL]. He obtained his LL.B [Hons] from University of Jos [Upper Second Class]; LL.M from University of Nigeria [Best Student]; Ph.D from University of Kent-U.K [Best Student]; and Post-Doctoral Diploma from Harvard University USA [Best Student].
He is a Managing Partner of Prof. C.J. Amasike & Associates [an International Corporate & Commercial Law Firm], the President of Arbitration & ADR In Africa, and a Chartered Arbitrator, Mediator & Negotiator. He is a Member/Fellow of many and mega Arbitration & ADR Institutes and a Notary Public. He is extensively involved in international lecturing, global capacity-building programmes and institutional development projects. He is a Consultant to the United Nations.
He was previously a Legal Adviser & Company Secretary in an Investment & Development Bank; Director & Research Fellow in the National Electric Power Authority [NEPA]; Executive Director in a Commercial Bank, Special Adviser in the Federal Ministry of Justice Abuja, Vice-President Abuja Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Head of Dept. of Public and International Law at the University of Abuja, etc. He was also the former Chairman/Chief Judge, Federal Government of Nigeria, Tax Appeal Tribunal/Court, SEZ.
