Conference Programme

Time
Activity

9.00am – 10.00am

Conference Registration/Networking

10.00am – 10.15am

YMG Conference Opening Ceremony
Welcome Address by Branch Chair – Olusola Adegbonmire CArb.
Opening Remarks by YMG Chair – Emuobo Majemite

10.15am – 11.20am

Mastering Cross-Examination in Arbitration
This session aims to equip participants with essential skills for successful cross-examination, applicable to both fact and expert witnesses. We will guide young practitioners on the behaviours to avoid and those to develop for effective performance. The format will include theoretical discussions and hands-on exercises. Participants will receive case scenarios before the conference to better prepare for interactive elements of the session.

Speakers:
Daniel Wilmot
Patrick Turinawe
Lauraine Darkwah (Moderator)

11.20am – 11.30am

Gift presentations and photographs

11.45am – 12.50pm

Building a Personal Brand in ADR

Sponsored by:

ADR practitioners must prioritise personal branding to stand out in a crowded market, build trust with potential clients and peers, and establish credibility. This session will examine how personal branding can improve a practitioner’s visibility, reputation, and prospects of being chosen by clients to manage their disputes.

Speakers:

Marilyn Eze
Duncan Bagshaw
Eunice Lumallas, FCIArb
Omoruyi Edoigiawerie (Moderator)

12.50pm – 13.00pm

Gift presentations and photographs

13.00 – 13:50
Career Advancement Symposium
Sponsored by:
This symposium is designed for young Ciarb members eager to develop their careers in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). It will cover critical topics such as mentorship, networking, and enhancing negotiation and arbitration skills. Participants will benefit from interactive discussions aimed at providing practical advice and insights into ADR trends. Discussions will focus on overcoming common professional obstacles, strategies for continuous career improvement, and maintaining ethical practices.

Speakers:
Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour SAN, C.Arb
Funmi Roberts, C.Arb
Soibi Ovia
Daniel Ihueze
Efemena Iluezi-Ogbaudu
Naa Amorkor Amarteifio (Moderator)

13:50 – 14:00

Gift presentations and photographs

14.00 – 14.10

Conference Wrap Up.

14.00 – 14.30

Networking Lunch

16.00 – 19.00

Conference Opening Ceremony
Opening Remarks by the CPC Co-Chair
Welcome Address by Branch Chair
Goodwill Remarks
Keynote Address

19.00 – 21.00

Opening Cocktail
Time
Activity

9.00 – 10.50
Conference Panel Discussion 1
Arbitration's Identity Crisis: What? So What? What Now?

Sponsored by:

Arbitration in Nigeria faces an identity crisis with a recent surge in anti-arbitration injunctions and courts increasingly inclined to interfere. Also, data from arbitration-related court decisions uncover a worrying trend: significantly long durations for resolving challenge and enforcement proceedings and a reluctance to uphold arbitration agreements. The panellists and participants will scrutinise these findings to pinpoint the disconnect between arbitration principle and practice and devise pragmatic, actionable solutions. This candid, no-hold-bars discussion aims to reinvigorate arbitration's foundational promises, ensuring it remains a viable and preferred method for resolving commercial disputes.

Speakers:
Charles Adeyemi Candide-Johnson SAN
Olufunke Adekoya SAN
Olasupo Shasore SAN
Prof Emilia Onyema (Moderator)

10.50 – 11.00

Gift presentations and photographs

11.00 – 11.15

Morning Tea

11.15 – 12.50

Conference Panel Discussion 2
Strategic Responses: Countering Guerrilla Tactics in ADR

Sponsored by:

This session addresses the increasing use of 'guerrilla' tactics in ADR, disruptive strategies aimed at derailing proceedings. Understanding and tackling these tactics is essential because they threaten the core values of ADR: efficiency, fairness, and integrity. Through this interactive session, attendees will engage with experienced panellists to uncover effective strategies for identifying and countering these challenges. The discussion aims to equip professionals with the tools and understanding needed to maintain a constructive and efficient environment for dispute resolution.

Speakers:
Patrick I.N. Ikwueto SAN
Babatunde Fagbohunlu SAN
Leyou Tameru
Hamid Abdulkareem
Hon. Justice Lemea Ngbor, MCIArb (Moderator)

12.50 – 13.00

Gift presentations and photographs

13.00 – 14.00

Networking Lunch

14.00 – 15.20

Conference Panel Discussion 3
Judging Arbitration: A Judicial Perspective

Sponsored by:

This session offers a fresh perspective on the critical relationship between Nigerian courts and arbitration, highlighting the gap between judicial expectations and the current arbitration practices. This mismatch can significantly affect the outcome and acceptance of arbitration decisions, making it imperative for practitioners to understand and address these judicial perspectives. Judges and legal experts will discuss their experiences and offer practical advice, enabling attendees to better align their arbitration approaches with court expectations, enhancing both the effectiveness and recognition of arbitration outcomes.

Speakers:
Hon. Justice Amina Augie (Rtd.)
Hon. Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie (Rtd.)
Hon. Justice Olayinka Faji
Chief Christopher Adebayo Ojo SAN
Seyilayo Ojo SAN (Moderator)

15.20 – 15.30

Gift presentations and photographs

15.30 – 15.45

Afternoon Tea

15.45 – 16.50

Conference Panel Discussion 4
From Text to Test: Assessing the Impact of the Arbitration and Mediation Act

Sponsored by

Conference Panel Discussion 4
From Text to Test: Assessing the Impact of the Arbitration and Mediation Act
Sponsored by:

This session explores how the new Arbitration and Mediation Act is reshaping dispute resolution practices in Nigeria, aiming to uncover its practical impacts. Understanding these changes is crucial, as they directly affect how professionals navigate legal frameworks and resolve disputes, impacting the broader legal landscape and professional practices. Panellists will decode the Act, providing participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to adapt effectively. The discussion includes interpreting and applying new legal standards in real-world scenarios to ensure legal compliance and optimal dispute resolution outcomes.

Speakers:
Dr Babatunde Ajibade SAN
Miannaya Essien SAN
Godwin Omoaka SAN
Laura Alakija (Moderator)

16.50 – 17.00

Gift presentations and photographs

17.30 – 20.00

YMG Games Night
Time
Activity

09.00 – 10.00

Conference Panel Discussion 5
Arbitrator Immunity: Assessing its Protection & Challenges
Sponsored by:

This session will examine arbitrator immunity in light of the increasing trend of arbitrators being joined as parties in court cases. Experts will discuss the scope and effectiveness of immunity provisions designed to protect arbitrators from legal actions resulting from their decisions. The session will address whether the arbitrator immunity provisions of the Arbitration and Mediation Act (AMA) can withstand a fundamental rights enforcement suit under Section 46 of the Constitution. Attendees will gain insights into the impact on arbitration practice and the broader dispute resolution field, along with practical strategies to address these challenges.

Speakers:
Daniel Wilmot
Sola Ephraim-Oluwanuga mni
Perenami Momodu
Aisha Abdallah (Moderator)

10.00 – 10.10

Gift presentations and photographs

10.10 – 11.40
Mediation Skills Masterclass
Sponsored by:

This session addresses the need for professionals to enhance their mediation abilities, focusing on resolving increasingly complex disputes. Upgrading these skills is essential for mediators to maintain effectiveness in a changing landscape, impacting outcomes and the efficiency of conflict resolution processes. Participants will gain insights from seasoned mediators, learning advanced strategies and practical solutions to improve their skill sets. The masterclass is designed to deepen understanding and application of mediation principles, leading to professional growth and more successful outcomes in dispute resolution.

Speakers:
Franca Ciambella
Agada Elachi SAN, Ph.D
Chioma S. Jack (Moderator)

11.40 – 11.50

Gift presentations and photographs

11.50 – 12.15

Conference Wrap Up by CPC Co-Chair

12.15 – 13.00

Networking Lunch

14.00 – 17.00

Networking Events (Golf Tournament, Wine Tasting and Art Gallery)

19.00 – 22.00

Gala Night Dinner
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