Introduction to International Arbitration
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This course begins the journey towards understanding international arbitration and its practice and purpose in the commercial world.

Membership
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The course is also relevant to those candidates seeking to gain certified APD (Associate Prime Dispute) membership designation.
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​Course Structure: 
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Day 1: 10:30-17:30 GMT - Online 
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The objectives of the course are as follows: ​
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  • Arbitration theory and background;
  • The UNCITRAL Model Law and Arbitration Rules;
  • The legal framework: the importance of the seat, the New York Convention, procedural laws, and procedural rules;
  • An arbitrator’s jurisdiction and powers;
  • Basic overview of the arbitration process from start to end (Statement of Claims and Defence; arbitration contract clauses; statement of claim and defence; hearing; costs; Jurisdiction and enforcement);
  • Arbitration compared to other means of dispute avoidance and resolution mechanisms.​
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Who should attend this Course: ​
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  • Candidates seeking to support industry in an alternative to litigation and improve their understanding of arbitration;
  • Industry professionals;
  • Conflict resolution professionals;
  • Aspiring arbitrators;
  • Entrepreneurs;
  • Civil service;
  • Public sector;
  • Private sector;
  • Third sector.
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Assessment:

This module is not assessed in a formal manner but does require candidates to undertake a degree of preparation before attending and 100% attendance is required .
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​Entry Requirements:

There are no specific entry requirements. This course is at foundation level and is a precursor to 'Module 2: Diploma in International Arbitration'. It is appropriate for candidates who require a basic understanding of Arbitration and candidates who wish to join Prime Dispute as an APD (Associate Prime Dispute)
member.
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Course Educators: TBC
Diploma in International Arbitration

This Diploma in International Arbitration is for candidates who are seeking to become an Arbitrator or represent parties in Arbitration and support industry in resolving disputes as an alternative to litigation. This course is aimed at all Industry sectors who use Arbitration or individuals who do not have a background in law but do have arbitration experience, for example, accountants, engineers, surveyors and others who are within a primary, secondary or third sector, may also be interested in this course. 

Membership
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Candidates who complete and pass the complete module (including parts A & B) will gain our MPD (Member Prime Dispute) membership designation and the Diploma in International Arbitration. In certain cases the Educator/Prime Dispute may agree that a candidate who completes and passes this course should receive an FPD (Fellow Prime Dispute) membership designation.​

The objectives of the course are as follows:

Module 2 is split in to two parts (parts A & B):
Part A) Practice and Procedure
Part B) Drafting & Award Writing
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Part (A) Practice and Procedure
  • Manage, understand and be able to explain the arbitration process effectively from start to end, whilst understanding the legal framework, UNCITRAL Model Law, applicable laws and the role of the judiciary;
  • Understand the role of an Arbitrator and responsibility (independence, impartiality, confidentiality, conflicts and business ethics);
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of International Arbitration, arbitration Institutions rules and procedures;
  • Understanding the role, duties and jurisdiction of the Arbitral Tribunal;
  • Preparing an international arbitration including managing and dealing with parties online in accordance with UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules.

Part (B) Drafting &  Award Writing
  • Identify, manage and evaluate evidence;
  • Extract key issues from the parties’ submissions;
  • Determine the issues in dispute and in accordance with the law;
  • Articulate and write the operative parts of the Award;
  • Demonstrate skills regarding the proceedings for a preliminary meeting, hearings, structuring/producing an award, deal with interest, costs, challenges and enforcement of the award;
  • Allocate appropriate arbitrator’s fees and expenses.


Course Structure: 
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Part A: 9 day GMT - Online ​
Part B: 5 days (excluding private study) : 09:30-18.00 (max group of 6)

Part A is delivered over nine days. This includes lectures, tutorials and discussion workshops dealing with international arbitration law, practice and procedure.

On the final day of the course a 3 hour open book examination on International
Arbitration Practice and Procedure will take place.

​The examination is either a pass or fail. Candidates must achieve a minimum of 52%. Candidates who fail the examination will be required to re-sit the examination before they can proceed on to Part B, if they seek to obtain the Diploma in International Arbitration.
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Results are sent to candidates normally seven to ten weeks. Prime Dispute will inform the candidates regarding the results. An Educator will mark the examination and submit the results to Prime Dispute.​

Part B is delivered over a period of 5 days in a maximum group of 6 candidates. This will include face-to-face/online tutorials on drafting and producing an award in respect of the UNCITRAL Model Law and Arbitration Rules. The Drafting and Award Writing module provides the requisite knowledge of and practice in all the requirement of writing a final, reasoned and enforceable Award in an international commercial dispute. This module is essential for candidates who seek to understand the processes involved in award writing and those who aim to practice as an
international arbitrator.

Prior to the 5 days, candidates will be sent a reading list as well as a set of reading materials focusing on arbitration awards, their characteristics, functions and drafting. It is imperative candidates ensure they read this material prior to attending Part B of the 5 day course.

During the 5 days candidates will be required to start working on the award by drafting a summary of facts, summary of parties' positions, claims, etc. The educator will provide the candidates with the information relating to the hearing and they will need to complete and submit their award to the educator on the final day. Awards should be presented in a format that it is suitable for international arbitration award. The Award must be reasoned and enforceable. Any candidate that submits an unenforceable Award will be deemed as a fail and awarded zero marks.

An educator will mark the Award (with reasons, so Prime Dispute can determine the appropriate membership designation the candidate should receive) and submit the results to Prime Dispute. Results are sent to candidates normally seven to ten weeks from the date of the submission of the award. Prime Dispute will inform the candidates regarding the results and membership designation achieved.

Candidates who wish to undertake Parts A and B separately (as part of a Development programme) should contact Prime Dispute to discuss the appropriate fees.

Who should attend this Course: ​
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  • The Diploma in International Arbitration is aimed not only at the legal sector but also at other professionals who may be involved in the arbitration process. A legal qualification will not be a pre-requisite for the admission on the Diploma. However, candidates will need to remain in mind references and materials discussed by the educators will be legally focused.

Assessment:
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Candidates will be assessed after the module has been completed (Part A & B) and this will be based upon one assessment for each parts (parts A & B) either a pass or fail. If candidates fail feedback will be prepared by the Educator.
Any Candidates who do fail the assessment will only be required to re-sit the appropriate assessment (A or B) or similar as requested by Prime Dispute. Candidates will be informed by Prime Dispute of the results. Candidates are also required to prepare prior to attendance and 100% attendance is required. In certain
circumstances Prime Dispute may provide the option for candidates to opt for the dissertation option, in which the candidate will produce a dissertation of 12,000-words on a topic of their own choosing but in the sphere of arbitration.

Entry Requirements:
  • Candidates should be able to meet one of the following;
  • Completed a degree in law, or a degree with a substantial law content, familiar with legal reasoning and concepts or who has other legal qualifications and/or substantial professional legal experience may be permitted;
  • Practising lawyers and other professionals who are familiar with or involved in domestic/international arbitration and wish to increase their knowledge and understanding of international commercial arbitration;
  • have completed Prime Dispute's Introduction to Arbitration or are existing members of Prime Dispute. Prime Dispute has the discretion to accept an individual who has other similar experiences, qualifications or knowledge.

Course Educators: TBC
International Arbitration Panels (Optional)
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This Module is aimed and available to candidates after they have successfully completed 'Module 2: Diploma in International Arbitration' or have been invited to join 'Prime Dispute's Arbitration Panel'.

Membership 

This course is for candidates who are
seeking to gain FPD (Fellow Prime Dispute) membership designation.

All candidates who are seeking to join Prime Dispute Specialist Panels must meet all requirements as stipulated in the 'Criteria for inclusion on Prime Dispute's Panels'.

All candidates who are seeking to join as an Educator for Prime Dispute must meet the 'Terms and Conditions' for Educators'.

​Course Structure: 
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DAY 1 : 09:30-18:30 GMT - Online 

The objectives of the course are as follows: ​

  • Understand the needs and expectations of B2C and B2B clients;
  • Understanding of business ethics and conflict of interests;
  • Understanding and working with parties with a set of Arbitration Rules and procedure (UNCITRAL, Arbitration Act 1996 - Jurisdiction of England and Wales and Northern Ireland);
  • Managing Arbitration contract clauses and agreements.

Who should attend this Course: 
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  • Candidates seeking to gain FPD (Fellow Prime Dispute) membership designation;
  • Candidates who would like to join Prime Dispute's Arbitration Panel;
  • Individuals who would like to develop their roles as an industry educator in Arbitration.

Assessment:

Write a brief action plan about how the candidate wishes to take Arbitration forward in their career. This action plan will support candidates in realising their vision. Candidates are also required to prepare prior to attendance and 100% attendance is required.

Entry Requirements:

Requirements: Successfully completed 'Module 2: Diploma in International Arbitration' (or similar), or have received a personal invitation from Prime Dispute to attend.
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Course Educators: TBC