Challenges of Nigeria as a Preferable Seat of International Commercial Arbitration

• Authors: Olufunke Aje-Famuyide , Nimisore Akano

Abstracts

EN

Arbitration has over the years gained prominence as a preferred method for dispute resolution especially for cross-border commercial disputes. One of the reasons is that the parties want to resolve their dispute in privacy and obtain an enforceable award as soon as possible. The choice of the arbitral seat during the negotiation of any international commercial arbitration agreement is perhaps one of the most overlooked influential aspects over the course of the arbitral procedures. The importance of a wise choice of an arbitral seat generally has two aspects, one of logistical convenience and the other is of a legal effect. For reason of the crucial legal effects of the place of arbitration, the parties have to be sure that they have chosen the best suitable jurisdiction as the seat of arbitration. The article will further analyse the concept of the seat of arbitration, its role, and importance in international commercial arbitration. It will also examine by reviewing the drawbacks of Nigeria as a preferred seat of international arbitration, particularly on the arbitration legislation and the respective judicial supervision and support in effectively conducting arbitration within the jurisdiction.

Keywords

EN

Arbitration; Seats; International; Commercial; Challenges

• Publisher: Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek
• Journal: Reality of Politics
• Year: 2021
• Issue: 18
• Pages: 11-32

Dates

published

2021

Contributors

author

Olufunke Aje-Famuyide

• National Open University of Nigeria

author

Nimisore Akano

• University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK

References

• Akanbi, M. (2012). Challenges of Arbitration Practice under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1988: Some Practical Considerations’ The international Journal of Arbitration, Mediation and Dispute Management, No. 4.
• Alain, H. (1979). The Place of Arbitration And The Lex Arbitri Arbitration Journal, No. 34.
• Amazu, A. (1994). Developing and Using Commercial Arbitration and Conciliation In Nigeria Lawyer Bi- Annual, No. 1.
• Bamodu, G. (2018). Judicial Support for Arbitration in Nigeria: On Interpretation of Aspects of Nigeran’s Arbitration and Conciliation Act’ Journal of African Law, No. 62.
• Bernardini, P. (2008) The Problem of Arbitrability in General [In] Enforcement Of Arbitration Agreements and International Arbitral Awards: The New York Convention in Practice, E Gailard and D Di Pietro (ed) United Kingdom.
• Born, G. (2015). International Arbitration: Cases and Materials United Kingdom.
• Ezike, O. (2002). The Validity Of Section 34 Of The Nigerian Arbitration And Conciliation Act 2000-2001, The Nigeria Juridical Review, No. 8.
• Hakeem, S. (2015). Injunctive Relief and International Arbitration New York.
• Kaufmann-Kohler, G. (1999). Identifying and Applying The Law Governing The Arbitration Procedure- The Role of The Law of The Place of Procedure, [in] Improving The Efficiency of Arbitration Agreements and Awards: 40 Years of The Application of The New Year Convention AJ van den Berg (ed), Netherlands.
• Idornigie, P. (2015). Commercial Arbitration Law and Practice in Nigeria.
• Idornigie, P. (2015). Nigeria’s Appellate Courts, Arbitration and Extra-Legal Jurisdiction-Facts, Problems, and Solutions: A Rejoinder’, Arbitration International, No. 31.
• Jonathan H. (2014). Determining The Seat of An International Arbitration: Party Autonom and The Interpretation of Arbitration Agreements, International & Comparative Law Quarterly, No. 63.
• Loukas, M. and Brekoulakis, S. (2008). Arbitrability, International & Comparative Perspectives, Boston.
• Loukas M. (2016). Seat of Arbitration and Indian Arbitration Law Indian Journal of Arbitration Law, No. 4.
• Olatawura, O. (2012). Nigeria’s Appellate Courts, Arbitration and Extra-Legal Jurisdiction: Facts, Problems and Solutions’ Arbitration International, No. 28.
• Olatawura O. (2012). Stay of Proceedings in Nigerian Law of Arbitration-An Analysis of Its Functions and Problems’ Arbitration International, No. 28.
• Olawoyin A. O. (2009). Charting New Waters with Familiar Landmarks The Changing Face of Arbitration Law and Practice in Nigeria Journal of International Arbitration, No 26.
• Redfern, A, and Hunter, M. (2004). Law and Practice of International Commercial Arbitration, London.
• Russell, (2015). ARBITRATION. United Kingdom,
• Umeche, C. (2017). Arbitrability of Tax Disputes in Nigeria Arbitration International, No. 33.
• William, W. P. (2012). Arbitration of International Business Disputes: Studies in Law and Practice, Oxford.
• Arbitration and Conciliation Act (1990) Cap 19 (Nigeria) now in Arbitration and Conciliation Act, (2004) Cap 18A (Nigeria).
• ACA, 2004 Model 1985 (as amended in 2006) English Arbitration Act 1996.
• Arbitration and Conciliation Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2017 (‘Bill’).
• English Arbitration Act 1996.
• High Court Civil Procedure Rules see High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.
• Lagos State Arbitration Law No. 18, Chapter A342.
• New York Convention 1958.
• Nigerian Minerals & Mining Act Cap N167 LFN 2010.
• Nigeria LNG (Fiscal Incentives, Guarantees and Assurances) Act Cap N87 LFN 2010 Petroleum Act Cap P10 LFN 2010, ss, 11, 42.
• Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act Cap P38 LFN 2010.
• UNCITRAL Arbitral Rules (2013).
• UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, LCIA.
• UNCITRAL Model Law 1985.
• https://data.worldbank.org
• LCIA 2018 Annual Casework Report. Retrieved from: https://www.lcia.org/2018-annualcasework-report
• www.bbc.couk/news/world-africa.
• Anniversary Conference, Melborne. Retrieved from: http://www.ausilli.edu.au/au/journals (last accessed 8 September 2018.
• Atlas Power v National Transmission, [2018] EWHC 1052.
• Baker Marine Nigeria Ltd v Chevron Nigeria Limited [2003]13 NWLR (Pt. 997)276.
• Braes of Doune Wind Farm (Scotland) Ltd v Alfred MacAlpine Business Services Ltd [2008] EWHC 426 (TCC).
• C v D [2008]1 All E.R (Comm) 1001.
• Charles Mekwunye V Christian Imoukhuede, (unreported) [2019] No. SC/851/2014.
• Chevron Nigeria Limited [2003]13 NWLR (Pt. 997)276.
• Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC v Paymentech Merchants Sers. Inc.[2001]1All E.R (Comm)514.
• Enercon GmbH v Enercon (India) Ltd [2012] EWHC 689 (COMM.)
• Guinness Nigeria Plc. v. NIBOL Properties Ltd (2015) 5 CLRN 65.
• Baker Marine Nigeria Ltd IPCO v NNPC [2017] UKSC 16.
• Murmansk State Steamship Line v Kano Oil Mills Ltd [1974]2 SC 1.
• MV Panoromos Bay & Ors. V Olam (Nig.) PLC [2004] 5 NWLR (part 865) 1.
• NNPC v. LUTIN INV LTD (2006) 2 NWLR (PT. 965) 506.
• Shagang South -Asia (Hong Kong) Trading Co Ltd v Daewoo Logistics [2015] EWHC
• Shashoua v Sharma [2009] EWHC 957 (Comm), [2009] 2 All E.R. (Comm) 477.
• Sonovia Ltd Ltd v A.O Sonubi [200] 12 N.W.W.L.R (Pt.682) 539.
• Sino - Afric Agriculture & Industrial Co. Ltd v Ministry of Finance Incorporation & Anor [2013]10 NWLR (Pt. 1183) 135.
• Statoil (Nigeria) Limited v Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation [2013]14 NWLR (Pt.1373) 1.
• Tulip (Nig.) Ltd v N.T.M.A.S.A.S (2011)4 NWLR (1237) 254.
• Union of India v McDonnell Douglas Corp. [1993] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 48.

Identifiers

DOI

10.15804/rop2021401

Biblioteka Nauki

1933792