ICC initiates ‘Hold the Door Open’ for young arbitration practitioners

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has announced a new and unique pilot programme aiming to give young arbitration practitioners in Africa an opportunity to gain practical experience by observing arbitration hearings.

Set to launch in early 2022, the ‘Hold the Door Open’ initiative will enhance the capacity of young arbitration practitioners by affording them a rare opportunity to observe arbitration hearings, either held virtually or in person.

They will also have the opportunity to engage with counsel and arbitrators in a structured programme focused on advocacy skills and strategy.

As the preferred arbitral institution with a truly global presence, ICC Dispute Resolution Services are the gold standard for arbitration and ADR. The initiative aims to put forward the ICC Court’s almost 100-years of experience to benefit the next generation of dispute resolution professionals.

Under new leadership announced in September, the ICC Africa Commission will select 20 candidates to become Hold the Door Open scholars.

ICC national committees in Africa (ICC Burkina Faso, ICC Cameroon, ICC Ghana, ICC Egypt, ICC Kenya, ICC Morocco, ICC Nigeria and ICC South Africa) have been invited to propose a candidate practising in their respective jurisdiction.

To qualify for the programme, candidates must have (i) at least three years’ experience as a practising attorney domiciled in an African jurisdiction and (ii) have academic training in arbitration or be currently active in the dispute
resolution field. Candidates will be bound by strict confidentiality, and their observations subject to the approval of the parties and arbitrators in each matter.

To participate, interested candidates are required to send a CV and a onepage statement of interest to info@iccghana.org. The deadline for submissions is 30 November 2021.