Ciarb has successfully secured the second extension to its contract as the sole provider of Arbitration Referral Services to the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA).

Ciarb became the provider to administer the arbitration service in December 2021. Since then, it has continued to manage the arbitration service, including recommending arbitrators to the PCA, and undertaking case management, thereby supporting the PCA’s regulatory obligations.

Under the contract, the following arbitrators on Ciarb’s Pubs Code Panel are all fully trained on the Pubs Code:

· Bernadette Barker C.Arb FCIArb, DiplCArb, BA (Hons), DipArch, RIBA MSc (Construction Law and Arbitration), MIFire MAE

· Jonathan Bellamy C.Arb FCIArb

· Charles Brown LLB, C.Arb FCIArb

· Peter Collie LLB (Hons), LL.M, C.Arb FCIArb

· Michael Cover C.Arb FCIArb

· Nigel Davies BSc (Hons), FRICS, FCIOB, FCInstCES, C.Arb FCIArb

· Susan Lindsay C.Arb FCIArb

· Matthew Martin PGD Arb, Dip Urb Val, C.Arb FCIArb

· Andrew Noble LLB (Hons), FRICS, FCIArb, Barrister at Law, Chartered Surveyor and C.Arb FCIArb

· Robert Pratt BSc FRICS, FCIArb

· Nigel Puddicombe C.Arb FCIArb

· Paul Rose LLM DipArb, FRICS, C.Arb FCIArb

· Robert Sliwinski BSc LLB (Hons), DipIntArb, C.Arb FCIArb, FRSA

· Siamak Soudagar DipSurv, PGDipArb, FRICS, C.Arb FCIArb, MCIOB

Nina Fletcher, Acting CEO of Ciarb, says, “We look forward to another successful year working with the PCA team and our Pubs Code Arbitrators. The extension of our contract with the Pubs Code Adjudicator is a testament to the high quality of our case management service and the dedication of our Dispute Appointment Service team.”

Fiona Dickie, PCA says, “I am pleased Ciarb is continuing to work with the PCA in the provision of the arbitration service for tied tenants for another year. If a tenant is in dispute with their pub-owning business about their Pubs Code rights, that dispute can be referred to the Pubs Code Adjudicator to be decided by an arbitrator. Arbitration gives tenants an independent decision on a dispute and is a crucial element of tenant rights under the Pubs Code. The contract with Ciarb is an important support to the provision of a quality arbitration service.

Tenants are encouraged to read the PCA’s factsheet, which explains what arbitration is, what disputes may be referred, the strict time limits involved and the costs rules that apply”.

The Pubs Code came into effect in 2016 and regulates the relationship between all pub companies owning 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales and their tied tenants. The PCA is responsible for enforcing the Code and providing an arbitration service for disputes between pub companies and tied tenants about Pubs Code compliance. The PCA can either arbitrate the dispute or appoint another arbitrator to do so.

To make a referral for arbitration under the Pubs Code, please complete the Referral Form and email it to the Ciarb Dispute Appointment Service (DAS) team at pca@ciarb.org.

Read more about Ciarb’s PCA Arbitration Referral Service.