Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration

About us

Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA) is Kenya’s premier International Arbitration Centre located in the capital city, Nairobi. The Centre was established in 2013 and has gained a reputation as a neutral venue for the conduct of International Arbitration and other Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services.
NCIA is “where disputes meet resolution” through access to eminent and experienced arbitrators, and mediators with diverse skills, from different nationalities and jurisdictions, and a best practice set of rules with administrative support.
NCIA has the distinct privilege of an appointing authority under several statutory provisions in Kenya.
WHAT WE OFFER
ARBITRATION- NCIA Arbitration Rules are adaptable for use in a diverse range of contractual agreements. The Rules offer a flexible, predictable, and reliable institute administered procedures. The Centre also provides institutional support to the arbitration process including hearing facilities at the request of parties. It is recommended that parties intending to commence arbitration in their contracts pursuant to these the Centre’s rules shall use the model clause below:
Model Arbitration Clause
“Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in connection to this contract, or breach, termination or invalidity thereof shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the NCIA Arbitration Rules.”

MEDIATION- NCIA provides institutional support to the mediation process including facilities for mediation sessions at the request of parties at competitive terms. The NCIA Mediation Rules give participants in a dispute case an expeditious process where the Centre is designated for purposes of the mediation. It is recommended that parties intending to commence mediation in their contracts pursuant to these the Centre’s rules shall use the model clause below:
Model Mediation Clause
“Where, in the event of a dispute arising out of or relating to this contract, the parties wish to seek an amicable settlement of that dispute by mediation, the mediation shall take place in accordance with the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration – Mediation Rules as at present in force.”
NEGOTIATION- NCIA provides institutional support to the negotiation process including physical facilities at the request of the parties at competitive terms.
CONCILIATION- NCIA provides institutional support to the conciliation process including physical facilities at the request of the parties at competitive terms.
ADJUDICATION- NCIA provides institutional support to the adjudication process including physical facilities at the request of the parties at competitive terms.
HIRING OF HEARING ROOM FACILITIES- NCIA is equipped with customized hearing room facilities for arbitration, mediation and all other closed-door discussions that may be required at the request of parties to the Centre.

ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION TRAINING- NCIA provides training for continuous professional development in international commercial arbitration and mediation.

WHY TRAIN WITH US
At NCIA, we recognize that the actual people in dispute are the primary beneficiaries of the skill and competence of a third-party adjudicator/ facilitator. The adjudicator/ facilitator being neutral does have an intrinsic value in providing a fair and efficient process.
Therefore, our training has been developed to help the learner:
Appreciate the intrinsic value the actual people involved have in a dispute.
• Gain clarity on the role that a third-party play in the resolution or settlement of a dispute.
• Acquire or enhance the necessary capabilities to function effectively as an adjudicator or facilitator in the process.
So, whether you are newly discovering ADR thus eager to learn or have prior encounter with some form of ADR and want to enhance your skills, or you plan to pursue ADR as a professional, these training programs are for you.
Our training includes;
• Expert tutors who are accomplished practitioners and academics in the field of arbitration and other ADR processes;
• High quality training facilities;
• Courses that are suitable for all levels of experience;
• Rigorous teaching and assessment standards;
• An experienced team to help with deciding which course is right for you;
• Fast-track courses for experienced professionals; and
• Flexible and tailored training options.
WHO CAN BECOME A MEDIATOR?
While most people may try and often do mediate a dispute some level of skill is needed to become an effective mediator. This is more so when the mediator role is offered as a service or where it involves a dispute that is complex or technical in nature.
A person with effective negotiation and inter-personal communication skills interested in facilitating parties to resolve disputes is a potential learner for a Mediator role. An underlying professional field of study or qualification, competence in a business or trade practice, familiarity with a cultural or social environment serves as a formative ground for persons seeking to mediate in disputes in those contexts. Such a person is a potential learner for enrollment to the Mediator Training.

WHO CAN BECOME AN ARBITRATOR?
An Arbitrator has a judicial role in listening to facts and evidence presented by the parties, applying the relevant law, and issuing a final award. Parties will often seek a person who has the core skills required for an Arbitrator and has wide familiarity, understanding, knowledge or competence and, applicable law in the subject of a dispute.
An underlying professional field of study or qualification, competence in a
business or trade practice, familiarity with a cultural or social environment, serves as a formative ground for persons seeking to arbitrate in disputes in those contexts. A fair understanding of the law and procedure involved in the dispute is necessary to exercise the judicial role of an Arbitrator. Such a person is a potential learner for enrollment to the Arbitrator training. Once the Arbitrator becomes proficient in the skills for arbitration, the scope of areas of practice can be broadened to multiple fields.