On Thursday 13 July there was an interactive discussion on Innovation in Nigerian Arbitration: unveiling the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 in the Context of international best practices in our ‘A Case in Time’ Headnote series.

The speakers included Isaiah Bozimo and Daniel Ihueze of Broderick Bozimo & Company, the authors of the GAP chapter on Nigeria, followed by comments from Jakub Kamenicky of Squire Patton Boggs (short bios of the speakers below) and a Q&A with the participants. Chatham House rules applied. The event chat was opened to facilitate networking and interaction.

You can find out more about Delos’s Guide to Arbitration Places (GAP) here, and sign up for GAP news here; and do look up other forthcoming events in our Headnote and Journal Series.

ABOUT THE GAP AND THE SPEAKERS

The Delos Guide to Arbitration Places (GAP) is designed to assist in-house counsel, corporate lawyers and arbitration practitioners with efficiently accessing key insights into a large range of jurisdictions, including for the purposes of negotiating the choice of arbitral seats and conducting arbitral proceedings in those jurisdictions.

This peer-reviewed open access publication is now in its second edition. Browse the table of contents, explore the jurisdictions covered in the GAP or jump to the traffic lights table.

Isaiah Bozimo is a Partner at Broderick Bozimo and Company.  His work in commercial arbitration and dispute resolution is underscored by his extensive knowledge and experience. From July 2021 to May 2023, he held the role of Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, significantly contributing to key legal reforms, including the Delta State Arbitration Law of 2022 and Nigeria’s new Arbitration and Mediation Act. Representing a diverse clientele comprising governments, corporations, and individuals, Isaiah has built a reputation for effectively navigating complex commercial disputes in both litigation and arbitration. His landmark litigation includes cases that have shaped Nigeria’s legal landscape, such as establishing the doctrine of lender liability and setting a precedent on the standing of judgment debtors in garnishee proceedings. His notable achievements in arbitration include successfully representing the Delta State Government in a ₦1 billion claim, leading a team addressing claims over ₦2 billion tied to an international trade centre, and acting as co-counsel in a major $300 million gas supply dispute. Isaiah’s significant contributions to arbitration have earned recognition from esteemed institutions like Who’s Who Legal and the African Arbitration Academy. He holds a fellowship with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and serves on the arbitration panels of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA), and the Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC). Beyond his practice, Isaiah has shared his expertise through various esteemed publications, such as the CIArb Guidance Note on Remote Dispute Resolution Proceedings and pieces on the role of African National Courts in Arbitration. His insights continue to shape and evolve the field of arbitration.

Daniel Ihueze’s deep-seated dedication to his work has made him a cornerstone of Broderick Bozimo and Company’s expert team.  His meticulous approach to every case ensures that each client’s needs are attended to with the utmost precision and care. An honours graduate from Abia State University, Daniel was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2017. His legal career blossomed at Justice Forte Chambers, where he served as an Associate, honing his skills and reinforcing his commitment to professional excellence and superior client service. In his capacity as a seasoned litigator, Daniel assists clients across a spectrum of cases that spans contractual disputes, construction matters, data security issues, administrative law, and matrimonial causes. His varied experience is marked by his relentless pursuit of the most efficient and favourable outcomes for his clients. Arbitration is another field where Daniel excels. His hands-on experience as counsel, his training, and his role as arbitral secretary all emphasise his proficiency in this area. He also guides his colleagues by providing advice on effective arbitration procedures and strategies. Before joining Broderick Bozimo and Company, Daniel lent his legal expertise to the Right to Information Initiative, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting access to information and open governance. Daniel’s memberships with the Nigerian Bar Association and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators highlight his commitment to staying current with the latest legal developments and upholding the highest standards of practice. Daniel brings together a wealth of experience, unwavering dedication, and precision in handling legal matters. This powerful combination enables him to provide clients with strategic guidance and effective representation, making him an integral asset to Broderick Bozimo and Company.

Jakub Kamenicky is a senior associate in our International Dispute Resolution Practice. Jakub’s practice focuses on international and domestic dispute resolution, including investor-state arbitration and court litigation. Jakub’s experience includes drafting substantive and procedural submissions, work on assessments of prospective claims and strategy, as well as representing clients at hearings. Jakub advised clients in a number of complex commercial and investment arbitration matters under the rules of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Rules (UNCITRAL). In addition to his experience with investment treaty arbitrations, Jakub routinely acts for clients in internal investigations concerning international financial regulations, international economic sanctions, anti-money laundering (AML), and international criminal law. Thanks to his experience in the Corporate Practice Group, Jakub has a deep understanding of cross-border M&A transactions, as well as compliance issues of international and domestic businesses. Jakub has also advised clients on complex banking and finance and competition and state aid matters. Jakub is recommended in the Dispute Resolution category in The Legal 500 EMEA 2023.