Catherine Dixon: An Update from the Director General

It is so important that we stay connected during this testing time. Whether it's working from home, hosting adjudications, arbitrations, mediations or meetings online - it has been inspiring to see CIArb members’ rise to the challenge, operating flexibly and responsively to support their clients.

CIArb is rising to the challenge too. All our training and assessments are available online, and we are offering discounts on a number of our courses - including an offer on our introductory course which has resulted in many Associate members joining us. Welcome to all our new members.

Our Publications are also now available online and we have produced a series of thought leading podcasts.

Thousands have attended our recent online events hosted by Cherie Blair CBE QC MCIArb on 11 June 2020, delivering the Roebuck lecture 2020, and Jane Gunn FCIArb, on Mediation. We also will shortly be launching virtual mediation training and other training programmes aimed at supporting our members whatever their stage of career.

We recognise the impact the pandemic is having on the courts and business and have launched the Pandemic Business Dispute Resolution Service in England and Wales to support businesses - and have invited our branches around the world to launch similar services.

With change come opportunities as well as challenges and we are committed to working with our branches around the world to bring together our community of diverse expert dispute resolvers. It has been my privilege to meet with so many of you, albeit virtually for now. We will be hosting a Meet the CIArb Leaders Event on 3 September at 11:30 BST and there will be an opportunity to ask questions and hear about the exciting future of CIArb and how it will support you as members.

Finally, I take this opportunity to restate CIArb’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our goal is to bring our global community of members closer together making everyone’s experience richer as peoples with different backgrounds and experiences work to promote and embed effective dispute resolution around the world.

Thank you to all our members, branches, faculty, Board and Committee members and staff for your continued commitment and support for each other each- it is inspiring to see and it’s great to be part of the CIArb family.

We always welcome your feedback on our eSolver monthly newsletter - please email info@ciarb.org

Catherine Dixon CIArb Director General