Alternative Dispute Resolution in Nigeria is not a new field. Without doubt, disputes are invariable and recurring decimal in human, social and commercial interactions. Thus, the need for effective dispute resolution mechanisms to be adequately put in place arises.
Traditionally, Litigation and Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms have been identified as the major means of resolving disputes.
While Litigation, involves recourse to a structured court system which allows for adversarial discourse and analysis of the dispute followed by a judgment which traditionally takes the form of a win-lose situation. On the other hand, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) includes a non-adversarial method of resolving disputes by intercession and assistance of a neutral and impartial third party.
Commercial disputes occur on a daily and hourly basis, and Nigeria being a highly litigious society is not left out with loads of cases filed in various Courts of the Country. In Lagos State alone, over 30,000 new civil cases are filed each year.
With the introduction of the various ADR Mechanisms, this ugly trend has been reversed as parties can get a final determination of their disputes within days and still maintain a cordial relationship, a possibility which is alien to litigation.
It is worthy to note that the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb) has its focus on the resolution of disputes using arbitration and other ADR mechanisms, with well-equipped facilities for resolution of disputes through Arbitration and other ADR mechanisms. The panelists who are members of NICArb, from different professions undergo continual training in the Institute, to ensure that the standard practice of our panelists consistently meets the expectations of citizens and global standards.
Also, at NICArb, doors are open for those who desire to be trained as either an Arbitrator or Mediator, irrespective of your professional background.
