The Young Lawyers Forum, YLF, of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has said that it would soon announce the names of successful teams that participated in the 2021 Arbitration challenge

In a statement made available to newsmen signed by both its Chairman, Tobi Adebowale and Secretary, Chairman of Steering Committee on Arbitration, Adetola Adebisin, the Forum said the list will be released on 26th April, 2021

The Forum recalls that it “officially announced the maiden edition of on August 5, 2020. The Arbitration Challenge, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, provides an opportunity for young lawyers to learn and apply key principles in international commercial arbitration, interpret the various texts of international commercial law found in various foreign investment agreements, and consequently, hone their writing and oral advocacy skills.

“Registration of NBA branch teams for the Arbitration Challenge commenced on August 5, 2020, and officially closed on September 15, 2020. The Dispute Scenario Problem…and the Rules…for the Arbitration Challenge were published to the participating teams on November 23, 2020.

The participating teams’ memoranda in support of both the Claimant and Respondent’s position were received by the Arbitration Challenge Committee on January 25, 2021, and assessment of their entries is currently being finalized by leading arbitration practitioners.

“The NBA – YLF Steering Committee on Arbitration is pleased to announce that the list of successful participating teams to proceed to the oral rounds will be announced on April 26, 2021.”

As to what will happen next after the announcement, the Forum said the successful teams will participate in the next phase of the challenge – virtual regional rounds, and thereafter, semi final rounds scheduled to hold on April 29 and 30, 2021 respectively, where participants will be tested on their oral advocacy skills by leading arbitration experts.

They added that “The Oral finals of the Arbitration Challenge shall be held on the 15th of May 2021.

“Our heartfelt appreciation goes to our esteemend partners and sponsors and we look forward to an exciting oral rounds of the YLF Arbitration Challenge.”

For further enquiries about participation and support, kindly send an email to [email protected]t and copy [email protected]