Amanda Lee FCIArb, Arbitrator and Consultant at Costigan King, London, shares her thoughts on how practising and aspiring arbitrators can hone their case management skills. 

Ciarb’s The Learning Lab: Arbitrator Skills Development Series comprises six workshops designed to develop your arbitration case management skills. They will equip you with the knowledge and confidence required to handle every stage of arbitral proceedings robustly. 

Skills for Success 

Ciarb’s coat of arms features the motto “Celeriter ac diligenter”, literally “swiftly and diligently”, to remind us that an arbitrator is expected to act quickly and carefully in fulfilling their role. 

A sharp analytical mind, strong listening skills, sound judgment, exemplary time management, and project management prowess are just some of the key skills that an arbitrator is expected to possess. However, these skills cannot be acquired by reading a textbook. 

So how do you develop the sound decision-making skills required to confidently fulfil your mandate with the necessary speed and care in the face of tricky ethical conundrums, case management challenges, and complex evidential issues? 

The Learning Lab: Arbitrator Skills Development Series has the answers. 

Questions, Questions, Questions 

Whether you have just received your first appointment, are a seasoned professional, or are taking your first steps towards building a practice as an arbitrator, you need to be able to answer many questions with confidence: 

• When is it appropriate for me to participate in an arbitrator interview? 
• What do I need to disclose to the parties? 
• How do I identify potential conflicts of interest? 
• How do I respond robustly if I am challenged? 
• How proactive can I be when managing proceedings? 
• How do I tell the difference between zealous advocacy and guerrilla tactics? 

Whatever their professional background, arbitrators face a steep learning curve as they seek to transition to the tribunal bench. Gaining a proper appreciation of the many ethical, procedural, and professional nuances is the key to success in practice. 

The Learning Lab: Arbitrator Skills Development Series will take you through the life cycle of an arbitration, from the preliminary stages of appointment to the preparation of procedural orders and the management of document production, evidence, and hearings. 

Are you ready to take your arbitrator practice to the next level? 

What are the Benefits? 

In an increasingly competitive market, the practical insights and soft skills you will gain by participating in The Learning Lab: Arbitrator Skills Development Series will help you stand out from the crowd and enable you to approach any appointment with greater confidence. 

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from global leaders in international arbitration, develop your professional network, and share your experiences and insights with like-minded peers. 

Parties, arbitral institutions, co-arbitrators, and counsel appearing before you will reap the benefits! 

Case Management in Practice 

In practice, arbitrators must be capable of effectively managing arbitral proceedings while ensuring procedural fairness. Ciarb’s Guideline on Managing Arbitrations and Procedural Orders and Protocol for E-disclosure in Arbitration makes this clear. 

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has also acknowledged the importance of effective case management to parties, having published a guide for in-house counsel and other party representatives to ‘Effective Management of Arbitration’. 

This course will provide you with the tools to become an effective (or better!) case manager and inspire party confidence from the outset, enabling you to recognise how to manage proceedings effectively and when to be firm in order to safeguard procedural fairness. 

Ready to take your case management skills to the next level? With Ciarb’s new course, The Learning Lab: Arbitrator Skills Development Series, you’ll gain insights from leading professionals before applying your new knowledge and developing your practical skills in small group sessions led by experienced dispute resolution experts. 

The Learning Lab: Arbitrator Skills Development Series costs £300 for Ciarb members and £400 for non-members. This series will be hosted as six separate sessions on consecutive Wednesdays from 10 May to 14 June 2023, between 12:30 – 14:00 GMT + 1.