The world’s renowned institution for the resolution of international disputes on businesses- International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – has finalised plans to formally launch its new rules of arbitration in Nigeria.

ICC, which provides a system of resolving international disputes under the auspices of an international body, allows business disputes to be conducted in different jurisdictions with the resulting positive impact on national economies.

A statement issued in Lagos by the organisers, said the new rules have been formally launched in different jurisdictions around the world, while the Nigerian Arbitration Commission is scheduled to formally launch the rules to users on the May 30, 2012.

The statement said the launch is being organised by ICC Nigeria, in collaboration with ICC headquarters, Paris, France. The ICC International Court of Arbitration Secretary General, Jason Fry and other renowned experts are expected to be at the event.

The Chief Host, Babatunde Savage, who is also chairman of the ICC Nigeria, together with the Chairman of ICC Nigeria Arbitration Commission, Prof. G.A. Olawoyin, would formally declare the launch event open.

According to the organisers, the formal launch of the rules would provide an excellent opportunity to those interested in gaining knowledge of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution.

It will also ensure that the provisions of the 2012 Rules are fully understood within our jurisdiction. Changes made to the 2012 Rules will be highlighted. Areas of focus include general provisions on the arbitral tribunal, improving time and costs efficiency, emergency arbitrator provisions, as well as multiparty, contract arbitration and consolidation.

They said that the occasion would be the first opportunity for Nigerian practitioners to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the 2012 Rules after only a few months of their entry into force.

Participants would also have an opportunity to acquire knowledge on how to become involved in ICC Arbitration.

They also explained the importance of the dispute resolution role of the ICC and its impact on the growth and development of international trade and commerce.

“Disputes are inevitable in trade and commerce thus the need to have in place effective and expeditious means of resolving them imperative. In view of the reluctance of parties to submit to courts in unfamiliar jurisdictions arbitration has proved a viable solution in ensuring private alternative means of resolving disputes before judicial bodies usually chosen by the parties and outside the local court system.

“ICC arbitration has grown to be very popular for various reasons including the advantage of the arbitral proceeding being held in any part of the world thus supporting economies of different nations and the possibility of invisible earnings accruing to places of arbitration”.