The newest executives of The Bahamas branch of the Charter Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) gathered recently with Chairman Dr. Richard Demeritte to discuss their plans.
“The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators celebrated 100 years in 2015 and this past November we marked the occasion with an educational conference that included an address by International CIArb President, Professor Sundra Rajoo,” said Demeritte. “This year, we will hold a gala event, a media project of our branch’s history, install a new patron and honour several distinguished members of the branch.”
The Chairman also highlighted that the legislative framework being developed for The Bahamas to have a local seat in international arbitration is still in progress and that the organization continues to work with the Government and other stakeholders to establish a state of the art arbitration center locally.
“This development could prove to be a game-changer in the field of international dispute resolution in our region,” said Demeritte.
The Charter Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Bahamas has a new executive for 2016 to 2017. Shown in the photo, seated left to right is Dr. Richard C. Demeritte, Chairman and Peter Maynard, First Vice-Chair. Standing in the back row are: Phylicia Woods, Honorary Secretary, His Excellency, Tony Joudi, Third Vice-Chair, Cherise Cox-Nottage, Second Vice-Chair, and Reverend Collin Higgs, Chairman, Education Committee. (Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry)
CIArb is passionate about education and they will continue to develop the nation’s professionals with skills necessary for arbitration and mediation. Since 2014, there were 45 successful candidates who qualified in arbitration and mediation courses.
Demeritte explains, “Arbitration provides an effective means to resolve the disputes that inevitably arise. This is an exciting time for dispute resolution in the Bahamas and with strong support from government, the courts, business and legal communities, the opportunities for our membership have never been more promising.”
CIArb Bahamas is one of 37 branches of professional arbitrators and mediators with a community of 14,000 members in 130 countries. CIArb Bahamas remains committed to: promoting intelligent debate regarding arbitration; developing international arbitration as a core competency of the Bahamian legal profession; and building a critical mass of properly trained, accredited and experienced Bahamian arbitrators. It is governed by a Council of 15 members, coming from all Sectors of the country including Freeport, Grand Bahama.
CIArb is a not-for-profit, U.K. registered charity. More information can be found at www.ciarb.org.
By Azaleta Ishmael-Newry
