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Australia and Africa
Editor’s Note: Despite being barbeque season in Australia, the Australians have been active in the promotion of the arbitration service, embodying the efficiency of ADR. Meanwhile, it is encouraging to know that the counterparts from Africa have established their regional arbitration center.
Australia and NZ sign ADR agreement
On 5 August 2009, the peak bodies for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Australia and New Zealand have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote the use of ADR methods in the region. The agreement has been struck between the Institute of Arbitrators & Mediators Australia (IAMA) and the Arbitrators and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ)
http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/blogs/top_stories/archive/2009/08/05/australia-and-new-zealand-sign-ADR-agreement.aspx
Federal Court given jurisdiction for international commercial arbitrations
Australia is responding to increasing demand to resolve cross-border commercial disputes by arbitration with amendments to the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth.) and the International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth.) (“Act”) on 7 December 2009 to give the Federal Court jurisdiction to enforce foreign awards. In addition, the International Arbitration Amendment Bill 2009 received its second reading on 25 November 2009 and will be debated further in 2010. The proposed amendments are aimed at providing a “clear framework governing international arbitration in Australia” and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the international arbitration process. The Attorney General said that it would improve both the support for international arbitration and the “important protective functions” of its courts.
http://www.sparke.com.au/public/redirect.jsp?id=12227
Kirby signs ADR agreement for construction sector
Australia's top alternative dispute resolution (ADR) organization signed an agreement with a UK-based global construction group to promote the use of ADR in the building and construction sector. The agreement, struck between the Institute of Arbitrators & Mediators Australia (IAMA) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), was signed on 10 August 2009 by IAMA president Michael Kirby and CIOB president Li Shirong at a ceremony held at the IAMA Dispute Resolution Centre in Sydney.
http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/blogs/top_stories/archive/2009/08/09/kirby-signs-ADR-agreement-for-construction-sector.aspx
Mauritius hopes to become a regional arbitration center
Mauritius hopes to become a regional arbitration center with the passage of a new international arbitration law in 2008. Given the law’s favorable features and the island nation’s strategic location between East Africa and the Indian Subcontinent combined with the modernization of its legislative and the neutrality and stabilization of its politics, Mauritius is likely to be successful in both its endeavors. The new law called the International Arbitration Act 2009 is based on the UNCITRAL model law and the subsequent amendments thereto
http://www.dlapiper.com/mauritius-passes-new-iaa/
Rwanda pushes for arbitration center
On 12 October 2009, nine months after the New York Convention entered into force in Rwanda, legislators have taken steps towards establishing a new regional arbitration center in Kigali.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200910260480.html
African group launches regional institution
The spread of regional arbitration continues, with October 2009 seeing the launch of a new body to handle disputes across Africa.
http://www.ashurst.com/doc.aspx?id_Content=4867
Dong HaiZhou Wang QianLing Lin Qi Michael Dunmore
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