EVENT REPORT: TEATIME WITH THE ADR SOCIETY

The second edition of the “Teatime with the ADR society” which kicked off the 2016/2017 academic session held on Wednesday, 1st of February,2017. It is an event organised by the ADR society where we introduce the concept of Alternative Dispute Resolution to prospective members with a strong desire to acquire requisite knowledge in this field, and its mannerisms. Speakers were invited from the Lagos Court of Arbitration, and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria Branch). Miss Onyeka Obidi who was the speaker from the L.C.A talked about arbitration while Miss Eweje Bello, the speaker invited from the Ciarb discussed mediation and concilliation.

Two prospective members of the ADR society were interviewed, here’s what they had to say about their experience at the event;

Hello, tell us about yourselves

Pius: My name is Bankong Pius. I’m a 300 level student of the faculty of law

Emmanuella: I’m Emmanuella Nwosisi . a 200 level student of the faculty of law

How did you get to know about “Teatime with the ADR society”

Pius: I was invited by a friend

Emmanuella: I saw the DP and Bc on my class group chat

Could you give a general overview about what the speakers discussed?

Pius: They spoke about the various types of ADR and their scope in relation to their experience as individuals in practice

Emmanuella: there were two of them. The first speaker, Mrs Eweje Bello spoke generally on Mediation while the second speaker, Miss Onyeka Obidi discussed Arbitration, Negotiation and Concilliation

Do you feel the knowledge gathered from the program …..(something about making you more interested in joining the society)

Pius: Yes, totally

Emmanuella: Yes definitely

What part of the program captivated you the most?

Pius: The discourse on Arbitration

Emmanuella: I loved Mrs Obidi’s session. I was able to connect with her and as such I was even more motivated to become an arbitrator

Okay. Can you shed more light on Arbitration?

Pius: This is where two parties come before a third party (arbitrator) who gives an award (more like a judgement) in the resolution of the dispute. It is typically used in commercial and domestic settings. However, due to increase in cost in recent years, it is more prevalent in commercial disputes than domestic disputes. It is highly favoured in commercial disputes due to its feature of confidentiality and quicker dispensation of decision

Emmanuella: Pius has already given the major points, so I’ll just add that arbtration saves time and the proceedings arvery confidential. It is also cost effective.

So from the preceding questions, what disadvantages can you deduce from the entire scope of ADR?

Pius: The fact that there is a requirement of world experience before one can become an arbitrator, when one actually can’t be an arbitrator, it leaves a lot for consideration. Secondly, arbitration could take many forms and this could cost a lot as opposed to litigation which I basically limited to the court room.The doctrine of Separability could work some hardwork.

Emmanuella: I don’t think decisions from sessions apart from arbitration are strictly enforceable. Arbitration can sometimes be more expensive than litigation.

 Thanks a lot Pius and Emmanuella. It was nice talking to you both. We hope to see you at the meeting!