- CAJAC
- SADC Alliance
- BRICS
The Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA) recently welcomed a distinguished delegation of Honourable Judges from the Judiciary of Tanzania to its offices in Sandton as part of a judicial training and engagement programme organised in collaboration with JEYAX Development and Training.
The visit formed part of a broader initiative aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing judicial understanding of arbitration and dispute resolution mechanisms across Africa. During the engagement, the delegation participated in a briefing and discussion on the role of arbitration in modern dispute resolution, as well as AFSA’s institutional framework and its contribution to the development of arbitration within Southern Africa and the broader region.
The day concluded with the reception “AFSA’s International Court: Meet the President,” held to formally introduce and welcome Prof. Lise Bosman as President of the AFSA International Court. The reception brought together more than 80 guests from 11 countries, including members of the AFSA International Court, representatives of the AFSA Board and Committees, leading arbitrators and practitioners, and other distinguished figures from the arbitration community.
Following the plenary meeting, AFSA hosted the Second Patrick Lane SC AFSA International Arbitrator Workshop, recognising the valuable contribution of the late Patrick Lane SC to the practice of arbitration in Southern Africa.
The day commenced with the Second Plenary Meeting of the AFSA International Court, chaired by the Court’s President, Prof. Lise Bosman. The Court provides a supervisory function over the application of the AFSA International Arbitration Rules.
During the meeting, the Court considered a number of important governance and operational matters relating to AFSA’s international arbitration activities. Among the decisions taken was the agreement to appoint additional members to the AFSA Court over the next two years, in order to ensure continuity of the Court’s operations and diversity of its membership.
London International Disputes Week 2026 (LIDW26) will take place from 1–5 June under the theme “Tradition, trust and transformation in international dispute resolution.” Now in its seventh year, LIDW has established itself as a forward-thinking global forum where the international disputes community comes together to address the challenges posed by geopolitical change, emerging technologies and an evolving legal landscape. The main conference will be held on Tuesday, 2 June at the QEII Centre, with the wider programme delivered in a hybrid format, offering legal practitioners worldwide valuable insights into the business and law of international dispute resolution and arbitration.
The 6th edition of the Africa Construction Law (ACL) Conference will take place on 11–12 May 2026 at The Wanderers Club in Johannesburg, under the theme “Construction in Transition: Building Africa’s Infrastructure for the Next Era.” As the leading pan-African platform for construction law, infrastructure development and dispute resolution, the conference brings together practitioners from across the construction, infrastructure and energy sectors in English-speaking, Francophone and Lusophone African jurisdictions to examine the legal, commercial and institutional frameworks shaping infrastructure delivery across the continent.
The 2026 Lusaka Arbitration Week (LAW2026), organized by the Lusaka International Arbitration Centre (LIAC) and CIArb Zambia, is scheduled for February 25–27, 2026, in Lusaka, Zambia. Centred on the theme “From Exploration to Execution: ADR as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development,” it focuses on strengthening African arbitration frameworks through expert discussions and networking.
Lusaka Arbitration Week offers a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and discussions on the latest ADR trends.
The Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA) has announced the appointment of Professor Lise Bosman as President of the AFSA International Court, effective 4 December 2025, succeeding former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo. A member of the Court for the past four years, Professor Bosman will work closely with the Court’s Vice Presidents to ensure a seamless leadership transition. Her appointment follows the recommendation of the AFSA International Court and the AFSA Board’s confirmation.
Professor Bosman brings significant international experience to the role, dividing her time between The Hague and the University of Cape Town. She serves as Executive Director of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), Senior Legal Counsel at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and Adjunct Professor and Co-Director of the Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Unit at UCT. Widely recognised for her contributions to international commercial arbitration and the development of arbitration practice in Africa, she has played a leading role in capacity-building initiatives across the continent. AFSA has expressed its sincere appreciation to retired Chief Justice Ngcobo for his distinguished service as the inaugural President and looks forward to advancing the Court’s growth and impact under Professor Bosman’s leadership.
AFSA recently had the pleasure of hosting Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, together with Nwamara Inegbenoise, Deputy Director of Arbitration & ADR for Africa, ICC and Nick Apl, a partner at Webber Wentzel, at its offices. The visit provided a meaningful opportunity to connect with ICC leadership and exchange views on developments shaping arbitration in South Africa, across the continent, and globally.
Conversations explored factors influencing the choice of arbitral seat, including legal infrastructure, judicial support, enforceability, cost, efficiency, and digital readiness. The growing use of mediation and hybrid dispute-resolution models was also highlighted, as parties increasingly seek practical and time-efficient outcomes. The discussion further touched on multi-institutional memberships and the value of collaboration and knowledge exchange. The visit reflected a shared commitment to strengthening regional dispute-resolution frameworks and deepening partnerships that support accessible, efficient, and internationally connected ADR.
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On 13 February 2026 a legal delegation from Haut-Katanga, the most southernly province in the DRC, paid a visit to AFSA.
The delegation was led by Maitre Kitenge Kabundji, President of the Haut- Katanga Bar Association. The other members of the delegation included two members of the Bar Council as well as a member of the External Relations Committee. Mr Kabundji explained that the Haut-Katanga Bar Association was established in 1930 and represented more than 1000 lawyers.
The purpose of the visit was to explore possible co-operation between AFSA and the Haut-Katanga Bar Association. Topics of discussion included the nature of cooperation envisaged, involvement in JAW, and mediation and arbitration training for lawyers. The Haut-Katanga Bar Association explained that they had identified a need to develop an arbitration and mediation system in the DRC that would benefit all involved and they believe that AFSA could provide the necessary guidance in doing so. Mr Andile Nikani, CEO of AFSA, proposed that, as a first step, a Memorandum of Agreement be drafted to serve as the basis for further discussion and cooperation.
AFSA is proud to support London Arbitration Week 2025, taking place from 1–5 December. The agenda features a line-up of leading practitioners, institutions, and thought leaders shaping the future of international arbitration.
Explore the programme, book tickets, and apply to attend the flagship conference at London’s Guildhall here: londonarbitrationweek.co.uk.
Join us to celebrate the growth of the Young AFSA community over the last year, a year marked by meaningful milestones, expanding networks, and shared purpose. The evening will feature fireside chats, live music, and networking opportunities designed to reflect the energy and spirit of the next generation of arbitration practitioners who are shaping the culture, standard, and future of dispute resolution in Southern Africa.
The Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA) and the Law Society of Namibia (LSN) are pleased to invite members of the legal and business community to a joint seminar aimed at fostering closer collaboration with the Namibian legal community while addressing key practical issues in arbitration and mediation. The seminar will provide a platform for open dialogue on key developments, challenges, and opportunities in arbitration and mediation across Southern Africa, with a special focus on Namibia’s evolving role within the regional dispute resolution landscape.
Arbitration 101 is an introductory session designed for those who have heard about arbitration but are not entirely sure what it entails. Whether you are a near-graduate, recent law graduate, or newly appointed candidate legal practitioner, this webinar will demystify international and domestic arbitration and spark your curiosity about this dynamic field of dispute resolution.
HKIAC established Hong Kong Arbitration Week to celebrate the triumphs and challenges of international arbitration while actively promoting the development of the practice in Asia. Following the dramatic economic growth across many parts of the region, the call for international arbitration has become significantly louder in recent years. Through conferences, luncheons and evening receptions, Hong Kong Arbitration Week seeks to provide a multitude of forums in which users and practitioners can come together to exchange ideas on how best to manage this increased demand for arbitration services.
The 13th annual Australian Arbitration Week (AAW) will take place in Sydney from 12-17 October 2025. We are delighted to be returning to Sydney for the first time since the COVID pandemic.
Attendees will enjoy what they have come to expect of AAW, a week of high quality, dynamic and diverse panel discussions complemented by social events to connect and reconnect with friends and colleagues offering the genuine and warm hospitality Australia is known for.
The AAW Welcome Reception and ACICA’s 40th Anniversary Celebration will start off AAW providing an opportunity to gather and catch up ahead of the week’s substantive sessions.
AAW aims to bring together communities and address issues pertinent to Australia and the wider region with a global lens. AAW travels to a different state each year and was held in Brisbane in 2024.
This year ACICA is thrilled to feature a special AAW Edition of Law Rocks on Thursday 16 October 2025 at the Oxford Art Factory as part of the AAW calendar. Law Rocks is a memorable event where legal professionals can let their hair down and have a blast while they give back raising funds and attention for local non-for-profit organizations that change local lives.
The Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA) was honoured to welcome a distinguished delegation from the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA) to its offices in Johannesburg as a part of their visit to South Africa.
The meeting offered a valuable platform for discussion and exchange. The shared interest and focus on arbitration and mediation opened the door for future collaboration between AFSA and the LACBA.
We are delighted to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) between AFSA and the Indonesian Dispute Board.
This MOU emphasises AFSA’s commitment to fostering international relationships with the international arbitration community and aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and promote collaborative research and training. It is anticipated that the arbitration community in Southern Africa and Indonesia will also benefit from sharing international best practice.
Dr Sabelo Gayo
President of Indonesian Dispute Board
Advocate Michael Kuper SC
Chairman of AFSA
Representatives of the Federal Council of the Brazilian Bar Association; the Association of Lawyers of Russia; the Bar Association of India; the China Law Society and the Law Society of South Africa met in Johannesburg on 8 and 9
December 2023 in the Eighth BRICS Legal Forum. The forum resolved to prioritise the setting up of a BRICS Disputes Resolution Framework using modified AFSA
Rules. The rules are to be ready for adoption and ratification at the next BRICS legal forum to be held in Russia.
On 7 December 2023 the Malawi Parliament adopted the International Arbitration Bill, 2023 without modification. The Bill reflects the joint proposals made to the Government by AFSA and the Malawi Law Society. Malawi thereby brings its legislative framework in line with international best practice for the resolution of commercial and investment disputes. This opens the way for AFSA to support the Malawi International Arbitration Centre (MIAC) and for MIAC to join the AFSA Alliance.
The Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA) is a non-profit dispute resolution authority that administers and manages the confidential resolution of a wide range of domestic and international disputes through administered mediation, arbitration, and related processes. AFSA’s head office is in Sandton, Johannesburg, with branch offices in Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, and the Garden Route.