Mr Baba Lawal Aliyu

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Professional Summary:
With over 30 years of legal experience, I am a distinguished International Commercial Arbitrator specializing in resolving complex commercial disputes, in the oil and gas sector, construction, energy, ICT, finance, joint ventures, international trade, and banking sectors. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and bring extensive experience in both domestic and international arbitration, handling high-value, multi-party disputes across jurisdictions.
My broad expertise and deep understanding of international commercial arbitration principles, coupled with my specialized knowledge of oil and gas law, enable me to offer fair, impartial, and commercially viable resolutions for a wide range of industries. I am committed to providing efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions that protect the interests of all parties involved, ensuring that arbitration remains an effective tool for dispute resolution.
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Personal Philosophy:
I am passionate about delivering impartial, just, and commercially viable solutions through arbitration. My approach is focused on reducing both the time and cost of proceedings while ensuring equitable and practical outcomes that support long-term business relationships and commercial stability.
Arbitration Methodology:
My arbitration methodology is rooted in a commitment to efficiency, fairness, and clarity, ensuring that disputes are resolved in a manner that is both timely and commercially effective for all parties. Key aspects of my methodology include:
• Early Case Management: I focus on early identification of key issues in a dispute, ensuring that both parties engage in efficient case management. This involves agreeing on timelines, procedural steps, and methods to streamline the arbitration process, reducing delays and costs.
• Transparency and Fairness: As an arbitrator, I prioritize the impartiality of the proceedings. I ensure that both parties have an equal opportunity to present their case, and I commit to fair decision-making by adhering to established legal principles and international arbitration standards.
• Encouraging Settlement: I actively encourage settlement before or during arbitration by facilitating mediation or negotiation sessions where appropriate. I believe in fostering collaborative solutions that preserve business relationships and minimize the need for a final award.
• Tailored Procedural Flexibility: Recognizing that each dispute is unique, I tailor the arbitration procedure to the specific circumstances of the case, incorporating aspects such as the complexity of issues, number of parties, and the relevant legal and commercial context.
• Use of Technology and Innovation: I utilize modern technology, including virtual hearings and digital evidence management, to improve the efficiency and accessibility of arbitration proceedings. This approach ensures that complex international disputes are resolved smoothly, even when parties are located across different jurisdictions.
• Focus on Cost-Effectiveness: One of my key priorities is to minimize costs while maintaining fairness and quality in the proceedings. By promoting the use of streamlined processes and encouraging early resolution through settlement discussions, I ensure that the dispute resolution process remains commercially viable.
• Clear and Enforceable Awards: In rendering awards, I ensure they are clear, comprehensive, and enforceable, providing the parties with a concrete resolution that can be implemented efficiently, reducing the risk of further disputes or delays.
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Education & Professional Development:
• LLB, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1992)
• BL, Nigerian Law School, Lagos (1993)
• Oxford Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), Keble College, University of Oxford (2013)
• Specialized Training: Ongoing participation in international arbitration courses and seminars, focused on cross-border disputes, commercial contracts, and energy-related arbitrations.
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Professional Affiliations:
• Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), UK
• Notary Public, Supreme Court of Nigeria
• Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
• Member, NBA Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL)
• Member, NBA Section on Legal Practice
• Member, Kaduna State High Court of Justice ADR Committee
• Member, Nigeria Bar Association National Dispute Resolution Committee (2021-2023)
• Associate Member, BRIPAN
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Core Competencies & Expertise:
As an International Commercial Arbitrator, I have experience in the following areas:
• International Arbitration: Expertise in both domestic and international commercial arbitration, in sectors such as oil and gas, construction, banking, finance, and international trade.
• Oil and Gas Law:
o Petroleum Contracts: In-depth experience in contractual disputes, joint ventures, and production-sharing agreements in the oil and gas sector.
o Regulatory Compliance: Knowledgeable in energy sector regulations and compliance, including the Nigerian Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and international standards.
• Complex Commercial Disputes:
o Construction & Engineering: Experience in disputes related to contract performance, project financing, and construction delays.
o Banking & Finance: Handling arbitration involving financial agreements, loan defaults, and investment disputes.
o International Trade: Expertise in resolving disputes involving cross-border trade, sales agreements, and commercial contracts across multiple jurisdictions.
• Dispute Resolution Mechanisms: Skilled in arbitration, mediation, and conciliation, providing effective and fair resolutions to complex commercial disputes in diverse sectors.
• Contractual Disputes: Expertise in handling disputes related to breaches of contract, force majeure, contract interpretation, and performance failures.
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Notable Experience as an Arbitrator:
• Appointed as an Arbitrator in various commercial disputes, adjudicating matters involving oil and gas, construction, banking, IT/Tech and finance sectors.
• Successfully managed multi-party arbitrations involving complex contractual issues, joint ventures, and disputes.
• Involvement in oil and gas arbitrations, including disputes related to regulatory frameworks, petroleum agreements, production sharing, and environmental compliance.
• Acted as presiding arbitrator, sole arbitrator, and panel member in several commercial arbitrations, delivering timely and impartial resolutions.
• Participated in international arbitration forums, gaining critical insights into global arbitration rules (e.g., ICC, LCIA, ICSID, UNCITRAL) and evolving commercial arbitration trends.
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Unique Value Proposition for Complex Commercial Disputes:
As an International Commercial Arbitrator with a diverse background in both oil and gas and other complex commercial disputes, I am well-equipped to handle a wide array of arbitral disputes in various sectors, including construction, finance, banking, and international trade. My experience spans multi-jurisdictional disputes, where I ensure that all parties receive fair, impartial, and effective dispute resolution, helping them navigate the intricacies of complex commercial relationships.
I am committed to delivering cost-effective, efficient, and practical solutions that meet the specific needs of the parties involved, regardless of the sector. My deep understanding of both the legal and commercial aspects of international arbitration ensures that I can provide insightful, fair, and commercially sound resolutions.
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Personal Qualities as an International Commercial Arbitrator for Complex Commercial Disputes:
• Impartial Expertise: A solid reputation for providing neutral, fair, and balanced arbitration across various sectors, with a particular focus on cross-border commercial disputes.
• Sector-Spanning Experience: Proven ability to handle complex commercial disputes not only in the oil and gas sector but also in industries such as construction, banking, finance, and international trade.
• International Arbitration Insight: Knowledge and experience with leading arbitration institutions and global best practices, ensuring timely and effective dispute resolution.
• Multi-Jurisdictional Expertise: Expertise in handling multi-party and multi-jurisdictional disputes, which require careful navigation of cross-border legal frameworks and cultural considerations.
• Cost and Time Efficiency: Focused on minimizing the time and costs of arbitration proceedings, ensuring that complex commercial disputes are resolved in an effective and commercially viable manner.
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