Announcements

From the 17th to the 19th of March 2020, the Johannesburg Arbitration Week will be hosted by the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa, leading firms of attorneys and various Bar Councils.

This international arbitration week will take place at the Maslow Convention Centre on Rivonia Road in Sandton; the core business district of South Africa.

You are warmly invited to set aside the time to join the conversation as to: -
• Why South Africa has become a new destination for international arbitration
• Its strengths, its potential and its challenges
• Developments and opportunities in this part of the world and along the African Silk Road.

The conference fee of ZAR 8,000.00 will cover three exciting conference days with outstanding speakers, an opening ceremony in true African style, all lunches, teas, coffees and refreshments, a wine tasting evening featuring the top wine makers in the country and a dinner with a difference.

Directly after the conference we will be offering you various unique options of exploring the beauty and some of the landmarks of the country, including the Cradle of Mankind close by, or a visit to one of South Africa’s world-renowned wildlife reserves, a short flight from Johannesburg.

Full details of the Programme, accommodation and optional excursions will soon be made available. We warmly invite you to reserve these dates and to join us on this journey of discovery.

Johannesburg Arbitration Week: sbpromo@telkomsa.net

Revision of AFSA International Arbitration Rules

September 2019

Since the promulgation of South Africa's International Arbitration Act (IAA) in late 2017, which incorporates the UNCITRAL Model Law, the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA)'s international caseload has grown exponentially. To facilitate this continued growth, ensure best quality services possible and keep pace with developments in the rules of other major arbitral centres around the world, AFSA has decided to revise its International Arbitration Rules.

To that effect, AFSA has assembled a Drafting Committee and an Advisory Board composed of leading academics, experts and practitioners from around the globe to revise and redraft its current International Arbitration Rules, which pre-date the passing of IAA. Details on the Drafting Committee and Advisory Board can be found here.

Today, AFSA is proud to announce that its New International Arbitration Rules will be released during the Johannesburg International Arbitration Week in March 2020.

Prior to the official launch of the New International Arbitration Rules, AFSA wishes to publish draft rules for public comment to encourage wider public participation in the process.

Patrick Lane SC, Chair of AFSA International and Vice-chair of AFSA, says that: "The New International Arbitration Rules will be the product of a thorough review and the revisions will reflect developments of the international arbitration practice and procedure since the rules were first drafted. They will be an important step towards the implementation of new policies to foster the efficiency of AFSA international arbitrations."

Professor Dr. Maxi Scherer, Chairperson of the Drafting Committee and Advisory Board, is confident that "the New International Arbitration Rules will provide additional certainty and clarity to businesses trading across borders on the African continent and beyond and continue to make AFSA a highly attractive choice for parties in international arbitration proceedings."

News update

Establishment of AFSA branch in Eastern Cape

July 2019

An AFSA branch will soon be established in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape to provide arbitration and mediation services to both the public and private sector in the Eastern Cape.

This follows an approach by a number of legal practitioners from the Eastern Cape who saw the need to establish an AFSA branch in this region. A committee was established comprising legal practitioners who practice in Mthatha, East London and
Johannesburg. The committee members, now the founding members of the AFSA Eastern Cape branch, include: Adv V Notshe SC, Adv MM Matyumza, Adv V Msiwa, Adv E M Matanda, Adv B Metu, Adv SX Mapoma, Adv G Badela, Adv Z Ndesi Gilikidla and practising attorneys Ms VS Mncedane, Mr T A Nkele, and Mr V Nosindwa.

The AFSA Eastern Cape branch will offer services to the whole of the Eastern Cape Province. The founding members are of the view that historically, the Eastern Cape has produced strong and competent lawyers, while a number of judges in the various courts of the country are products of Eastern Cape universities and practiced in the Eastern Cape before elevation to the bench. Future arbitrators and mediators who have successfully completed AFSA’s Advanced Training Course, offered under the aegis of the University of Pretoria, will be excellent arbitrators.

According to Advocate Mapoma SC “the establishment of the branch augers well for the future. With the assistance of AFSA, systems will be put in place, training will be provided, and a panel of arbitrators will be established.”

For other news and stories download the June edition of AFSA@Work here

Click to download