The Bahamas Branch of The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) will mark its parent associations’ centenary with a conference and dinner at the Melia Hotel on November 13th.
Honourary Secretary General, Tony S Joudi said the conference theme, “The Bahamas as a Leading Commercial Arbitration Seat and Centre” underlines the ongoing work by the Bahamas Branch and Minister Hope Strachan toward establishing itself as one of the world’s leading centers for arbitration.
“More and more disputes today look toward alternative dispute resolution before heading to the courts,” said Tony S Joudi. “The members of the Bahamas Branch of CIArb, and the Minister of Financial Services, Hope Strachan and her ministry recognize the potential and possibilities, and are working diligently toward the national objective to establish ourselves as a major, expedient arbitration centre.”
Following Opening Remarks from CIArb Chairman Dr. Richard Demeritte, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Honorable Perry G.Christie, will bring the Opening Address: “Arbitration and Alternative Resolution: The Bahamian Agenda.” Hubert Edwards, CIArb Honorary Treasurer, Bahamas Branch will give the Closing Remarks.
Session Moderators are Peter Maynard, CIArb 1st Vice Chair Bahamas Branch, Damani Horton, CIArb Chair Young Arbitrators, Bahamas Branch, Caryl Lasley, Senior Partner Dupuch & Turnquest & Co, Cherise Cox-Nottage Executive Director - Head of Legal and Compliance Departments, UBS Trustees (Bahamas) Ltd.
Conference attendees are local and regional professionals from varied disciplines. There are currently five CIArb branches in the America region: Canada, USA, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The Bahamas Branch is the Institute’s third largest branch in the Americas region.
Attending delegates for their respective countries include the Hon. Sir Dennis Byron, CCJ President - St Kitts & Nevis; Professor Datuk Sundra Rajoo, CIArb President Elect 2016 – Malaysia; Marek Krasula Deputy Counsel, International Court of Arbitration – New York City, USA; John Bassie, Jamaica, for IMPACT Justice, UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados; Ike Ehiribe Visiting Professor Centre for International Legal Studies, QDR Barrister, Chartered Arbitrator London; Tony Dymond Partner at Debevoise & Plimpton in London, UK; Natalie Reid, Partner at Debevoise & Plimpton, New York City, USA; Magaly McLean, Organization of American States Senior Legal Officer – Washington DC, USA; and from The Bahamas Larry Treco, CEO, Treco Construction, Nassau, Peter Whitehead, Gunite Pools of Nassau, Foster Hill Marina Development, Osprey Construction Bahamas, Tony S. Joudi of Fast Track Construction.
Recently, at the CIArb installation of officers the Minister of Financial Services, Hope Strachan, informed attendees that her Ministry is mandated to create The Bahamas as an international arbitration hub, and that over the next four months, whilst continuing to work with local key stakeholders, would conduct a pertinent survey of international arbitrators and transactional lawyers in selected geographic areas, leading to a related National Development Plan.
For more information on upcoming CIArb Bahamas and its activities, e mail ciarbbahamas@ciarbbahamas.com
Tony S. Joudi, Civil Engineer and CIArb Honorary Secretary General will moderate a conference session entitled: “Construction Disputes: A Case for Adjudication” at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Centenary Celebrations: “The Bahamas as a Leading Commercial Arbitration Seat and Centre.”
