BECOMING A CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ARBITRATOR
An arbitrator is one who serves as a neutral body or the arbitral tribunal in an alternative dispute resolution process.
On the other hand, Arbitration is a private dispute resolution mechanism established to settle disputes by a neutral third party known as the “the Arbitrator” or panel of Neutrals referred to as the Arbitral Tribunal or better still can be referred to as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process outside the walls of the court i.e. going through the litigation process. For more details as to what arbitration process entails and its advantages.
WHO IS A CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ARBITRATOR?
A construction Industry Arbitrator is an arbitrator who has been through trainings, specializes and is licensed in the profession of arbitrating matters pertaining to the construction industry.
In order for one to become a recognized and licensed construction industry arbitrator, registering with the Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators and undergoing the outlined trainings is very important.
The Institute of Construction Industry arbitrators established in 1993 is the leading arbitration institution in Nigeria. It is a notable body specialized in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the construction industry. Asides being a leading Institution for dispute resolutions, it boasts to have produced professional arbitrators. ICIArb is still in the business of grooming members to become seasoned arbitrators in the construction industry in Nigeria and beyond the borders.
It would interest you to note that you do not have to necessarily be a lawyer or have an affiliation with a legal service provider to become a licensed construction industry arbitrator.
The training programs set for this purpose by ICIArb will take from zero knowledge of arbitration to being a qualified construction industry arbitrator; regardless of your profession.
STEPS TO BECOMING A CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ARBITRATOR IN NIGERIA
The first step in becoming a licensed and qualified construction industry arbitrator is getting to register as a member of the Institute.
Membership of the Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators (ICIArb) is by participation in any of the specialist training courses on offer and the status is of two cadres:
- MICIARB
- FICIARB
Find below the various routes to qualifying as a Member or Fellow of the Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators:
A. MEMBER (MICIARB); Becoming a member of the Institute
Admission to Member Grade is by way of Membership Entry Training (MET). MET, the primary entry level training of ICIARB is essentially for persons who have little or no knowledge of arbitration. It is an introductory course to construction arbitration. The training combines basic arbitration and construction contract skills as a preparatory course to joining the intermediate training of regular Construction Arbitration Clinics.
Successful completion of the construction arbitration clinic modules will qualify participants to apply for the Fellow Upgrade Course. This Fellow Upgrade Course in turn leads to the award of ICIArb Fellow.
B. FELLOWSHIP (FICIARB); Attaining Fellowship Status at the Institute
(i) Fast track through MET Arbitration Clinics to Fellow Upgrade
(ii) Direct Membership
Successful completion of Part I qualify participants to apply for Part II
NB: The EPF is strictly for those who have already attained Fellowship Status of other Arbitration institutions.
(iii) Golden track for construction professionals experienced in arbitration through Accumulation of CPD points prior to the Upgrade Course.
(iv) Accelerated MET for basic construction courses. Persons with middle level training in arbitration or persons who have attained member grade in other arbitration professional bodies. The training combines high skill arbitration and construction training, leading to the award of Fellow of ICIARB.