On 16 May 2024, we discussed “Enforcement of interim measures and final arbitral awards of International Commercial Disputes in Ethiopia“, at an event jointly organised with Aman & Partners.

The recording is available here.

Enforcement of arbitration awards as well as interim measures are amongst the most contentious practical issues in the context of international arbitration processes. Until Ethiopia’s ratification of the NY Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards in 2021, the principle of reciprocity was the consideration for enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in Ethiopia.

Furthermore, in 2021 Ethiopia enacted the Arbitration and Conciliation Working Procedure Proclamation No. 1237 /2021. This legislation introduced a rather arbitration friendly framework that defined the role of courts in facilitating and assisting arbitration processes and the enforcement of interim measures and final awards.

These developments are expected to encourage more parties to opt for arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism and eventually to also give confidence to international parties in their ability to enforce arbitral awards in Ethiopia.  

This webinar created a platform amongst various stakeholders to discuss and debate these legislative developments and the practical nuances of enforcing interim measures and final arbitral awards of international commercial disputes in Ethiopia.

The speakers (short bios below) included Ermias Ayalew (Aman & Partners, Addis Ababa), Rahul Donde (RD Dispute Resolution, Geneva), Tsegaye Laurendeau (Signature Litigation, London), Leyou Tameru (I-Arb Africa, Addis Ababa), and Seyoum Yohannes (Aman & Partners, Addis Ababa), and the event was moderated by Eunice Lumallas (Lumallas, Achieng & Kavere Advocates, Nairobi).

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Ermias Ayalew, is a partner at Aman & Partners LLP, has 18 years of experience in academia and private practice, specializing in Litigation, Corporate Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Construction and Procurement Laws, Oil and Gas, and Maritime Laws. He has extensive experience in dispute resolution, including litigation before all levels of the Federal courts in Ethiopia and arbitration tribunals. Ermias has appeared before the Permanent Court of Arbitration and has published extensively in various areas of law. Ermias, obtained his LL. M in International Trade and Investment Laws from the University of Pretoria and the University of Amsterdam and his LL. B from the Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Law.

Rahul Donde, founder of RD Dispute Resolution, serves as arbitrator, counsel, secretary, and assistant in a variety of complex international commercial and investment arbitrations. Clients and peers laud him as the “go-to person for disputes with India and Europe connections” and a “true common law expert with broad civil law experience.” His expertise lies in commercial matters including agency, distribution, sales, purchase, services agreements, corporate law and natural resources across various jurisdictions. With 15 years of experience in Switzerland and India, he navigates complex commercial and investment disputes arising in both common law and civil law systems.

Tsegaye Laurendeau is an international arbitration partner at Signature Litigation and is based in London.
With over 14 years’ experience of international arbitrations as counsel, Tsegaye has advised and represented companies, States and State-owned entities in arbitrations conducted pursuant to the arbitration rules of many of the major arbitration institutions, with a particular focus on disputes in the oil and gas, energy, mining, construction and telecoms sectors. Tsegaye has developed an expertise in arbitrations involving complex corporate structures, financial products, accounting and tax issues and handles all matters relating to quantum in international arbitrations. While Tsegaye’s practice focuses exclusively on arbitration, he began his career in the Project Finance group of a magic circle firm, acting for financial institutions and international corporates in relation to the financing and development of large energy and infrastructure projects in the MENA region and Sub-Saharan Africa. Tsegaye was a partner at international arbitration boutique law firm Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes and Counsel in Shearman & Sterling’s international arbitration group. He is recognised in arbitration guides and features in The Legal 500 International Arbitration Powerlist UK, which showcases the UK’s leading arbitration practitioners. Tsegaye is admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales and at the Paris Bar.

Eunice Lumallas is a partner in the law practice of LAK Attorneys headquartered in Nairobi. She is a dispute resolution practitioner, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), and a Certified Mediator.  She acts both as an arbitrator and party representative in domestic and international arbitrations. Eunice holds a Master’s degree in Public International Law and is a certified tutor and trainer in alternative dispute resolution. She is also Kenya’s representative at the International Centre for Settlement of International Disputes (ICSID) Washington DC (2022-2026), Member Public Private Partnerships Petitions Committee (PPPPC), African Arbitration Association (AfAA) and Advocates Disciplinary Tribunal (ADT). She is listed in several panels for Arbitration and mediation including the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration, Lagos Court of Arbitration, and Kigali Centre for International Arbitration in East Africa. Eunice is a founding member and the chairperson of Women in Alternative Dispute Resolution (WADR) an institution with an outlook of bringing together African women in arbitration into a network that will enhance their skills, provide mentors, and enhance their visibility and practices in ADR. 

Leyou Tameru is the founder of I-Arb Africa and the Head of Arbitration at TWA & Partners LLP in Ethiopia. She serves as counsel and arbitrator in Africa focused international arbitration matters. She regularly consults on international arbitration cases concerning African private and state owned entities as well as advising governments and international government organizations on investment and policy matters. Leyou is the ICC Court Member for Ethiopia and is listed as an arbitrator in centers globally. Leyou has been recognized for her work and contribution to international arbitration, most recently she was named on the global listing of GAR’s 45 under 45 leaders of their generation in international arbitration. 

Seyoum Yohannes is currently a legal and economic consultant based in Berlin. He has worn various hats at different times. He was Assistant Professor of Law at Addis Ababa University and a consultant and practicing lawyer in Ethiopia before moving to Germany. Among other things, he spearheaded the revision of the Commercial Code of Ethiopia under the auspices of the Office of the Attorney General of Ethiopia. Seyoum has published several articles in peer reviewed journals. His latest publication is a book, published by Springer, under the title: “International Commercial Arbitration: Legal and Institutional Infrastructure in Ethiopia.” He graduated from Addis Ababa University Law School in 1997. He also holds LL.M from the University of Michigan Law School, MA in Peace and Security Studies from the United Nations University and AAU, and Doktors der Rechte (Dr. iur.), summa cum laude  from Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg.