On Wednesday 27 March 2024, Dr Karel Osiris Coffi DOGUE, Director General of the Higher Regional School of Magistracy (ERSUMA) and his technical staff received at the Institution’s Headquarters in Porto-Novo (Benin) an important delegation from the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb), led by its Registrar and CEO, Ms Shola OSHODI-JOHN.
After a warm welcome of NICArb delegation in ERSUMA, the two delegations embarked on a productive working session in one of training rooms of the institution. Discussions focused on a number of issues of common interest. Both parties discussed NICArb’s participation in the training session on the theme: “Practice of CCJA Arbitration and OHADA Mediation” which will take place at the CCJA Headquarters in Abidjan from 15 to 19 April 2024. NICArb was invited to attend this event and it pledged to pass on the information to its network to increase the turn out.
Prospects for partnership between the two institutions were scrutinized, with a view to enabling prospective participants in Nigeria and within OHADA region to take part in each other’s activities. This initiative will enhance OHADA and international arbitration, while showcasing the specific features of Common Law and Civil Law. It will also encourage arbitrators to work together across legal cultures and transcend language barriers.
ERSUMA has also invited NICArb to support the implementation of the OHADA Arbitration Certificate (CAO), which will be effective during the academic year 2024-2025, and to participate as an institutional partner in the 3rd Edition of the International Forum of Legal and Figures Professionals (FIPROD) to be held in Yaoundé from 22 to 25 May 2024.
NICArb also expressed particular interest in participating very actively in the 3rd edition of the African Arbitration and Mediation Days (JAAM) scheduled to take place in Libreville on 25 and 26 July 2024. Both parties also discussed the forthcoming introduction of OHADA training for Common Law practitioners.
At the end of discussions, the two institutions agreed on the need to strengthen South-South cooperation and to popularize OHADA business law in Common Law countries in general and in Nigeria in particular.
The working session ended with a family photo and a guided tour of the ERSUMA premises. The two delegations then proceeded to Cotonou to visit the Arbitration, Mediation and Conciliation Centre of Benin (CAMeC-Benin).
