Upcoming Webinar: African investment disputes – the rise of African arbitration

Friday 29 November 2013, 12.30 – 1.30pm UK time.

Africa is a continent brimming with an abundance of natural resources, talent and ambition.  Private investment into the continent is increasing and African economies are diversifying, with a growing middle class demanding increasingly sophisticated services and consumer products.  Moreover, the source of investment is diversifying: soaring corporate investment from the BRIC countries is accompanied by greater interest from the Gulf region and Australia, in addition to continuing interest from the traditional main investors (Great Britain, France, Canada and the US).  Inbound corporate investment between African countries is also increasing.

As investment in African jurisdictions becomes increasingly desirable and competitive, investors are finding that they are no longer able to insist on their traditional choice of dispute resolution mechanism or even their customary choice of arbitral seat and institutional rules.

In this webinar, our speakers will draw on their own experiences to discuss the increase in arbitration as method of choice for parties, including multi-nationals, financial institutions, private equity groups and host governments, in Africa-related transactions.  The speakers will also discuss the most important considerations for any party on selecting an institution and arbitral seat, the rise of "regional" arbitral institutions and African seats, and the role to be played by ad hoc arbitration, before turning to enforcement and investment treaty arbitration in the context of African investment disputes.

Speakers:

• Paula Hodges, Head of Global Arbitration, London
• Matthew Weiniger, Partner, International Arbitration, London
• John Ogilvie, Partner, Dispute Resolution, London
• Emmanuelle Cabrol, Partner, International Arbitration, Paris
• Craig Tevendale, Partner, International Arbitration, London

If you would like to register for this event please contact Prudence Heidemans.

The webinar will be recorded. If you are unable to listen to the event on the day please still register and then you will be able to access the recorded version later.