The editors have issues a call for papers for a TDM special issue on international arbitration involving commercial and investment disputes in Africa.
The call for papers can be found on the TDM website here:
http://www.transnational-dispute-management.com/news.asp?key=597.
About the special: Africa¹s accelerating economic development is attracting a substantial increase in cross-border commerce, trade, and investment on the continent, and disputes arising from this increased economic activity are inevitably bound to follow. International arbitration will be the preferred method for resolving many of these disputes. Indeed, the growing focus on
international arbitration to resolve commercial and investment disputes
relating to Africa is reflected, among other ways, in the fact that the
International Council on Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) will be holding its
22nd Congress for the first time in Africa in May 2016 in Mauritius.
To a great extent, the issues that arise in international arbitration in
or relating to Africa will be no different than those that arise in
arbitrations around the globe. Converging international arbitration
procedures and the predictability and stability afforded by the New York
Convention and Washington Convention help to ensure that this is the case.
Yet party autonomy remains a core value of the international arbitral
system, and, as such, regional approaches and local culture will continue
to shape African-related arbitrations to a degree, just as they do
elsewhere. Africa¹s rapid development is also likely to play a role in
shaping international arbitration in this region.
This special issue will explore topics of particular interest and
relevance to international arbitration in light of Africa¹s unique and
evolving situation. The issue will focus on sub-Saharan Africa and will
address issues pertaining to both commercial and investment arbitration.
It will also likely explore alternative methods for resolving disputes,
including litigation, mediation, and local dispute-resolution mechanisms.
Possible topics for submission to the special issue might include:
* The proliferation of international arbitral institutions in Africa and
what the future holds for institutional arbitration on the African
continent;
* The attitudes of African states and state-owned enterprises towards
international commercial arbitration;
* Salient issues in the OHADA international arbitration framework;
* The influence of China and other Asian countries on international
arbitration in Africa;
* Issues in enforcing arbitral awards in African states;
* Evolving attitudes in Africa towards bilateral investment treaties
(BITs) and the extent to which BITs are (or are not) helping African
states attract foreign direct investment;
* South Africa¹s draft investment law and other notable country-specific
developments in Africa;
* Cultural issues impacting international arbitration in Africa;
* Empirical studies relating to international arbitration in Africa;
* Capacity building for arbitrators, judges, and practitioners in the
region; and
* Alternative methods of resolving cross-border commercial and investment
disputes in Africa.
We invite all those with an interest in the subject to contribute articles
or notes on one of the above topics or any other relevant issue.
Please address all questions and proposals to the editors at:
SniderT@gtlaw.com, kidanew@seattleu.edu, and pbechky@iti-law.com, copied to info@transnational-dispute-management.com.
Publication is expected in July-August 2016. Proposals for papers should
be submitted to the editors by January 31st, 2016.