England – North East Branch

2008 Annual Report by Andrew Essam, Chairman.

The principal branch officers for 2008/09 were: Andrew Essam (Chairman), Damian Wilkinson (Vice Chairman), Richard Piper (Honorary Secretary) and Derek Masters (Honorary Treasurer).

The activities of the North East Branch have continued to build on the platform created by previous years. In that respect we have focussed our attention on the following principle issues:

• newsletter
• Yorkshire Arbitration Scheme
• technical events
• database
• website
• promotion of CIArb to Leeds Metropolitan University MSc Students

In June 2008 we published a branch newsletter, which amongst other things set out details of the technical events that were subsequently held in 2008-09. In order to improve communication with the branch, we asked those members whose email addresses we did not have, to supply one. Details of the Yorkshire Arbitration Scheme were publicised and a questionnaire was issued seeking the opinion of branch members concerning branch events.

While we now have a comprehensive electronic database of our branch members' email addresses and those for other interested parties, there are still a number of email addresses for our branch members that we do not possess. As we wish to move to email communication for 'ease of use' and for economic purposes, we have engaged external help in order to rectify this and this process is ongoing. Nonetheless the electronic database has proved to be an invaluable tool for publicising branch events.

The branch events held during the year have been a great success, covering a wide spectrum of topics with speakers drawn from far and wide. Richard Morris and Paul Jensen (UK Trustees) kindly accepted separate invitations from the branch to attend our events.

Richard Morris witnessed a mock mediation between a warring Lincolnshire farming family, expertly narrated by Anthony Glaister. This is now on tour elsewhere in Yorkshire and a stint in the West End beckons! Paul Jensen attended an entertaining address given by Peter Collie, concerning a vintage year for arbitral case law. Attendance has been very good and is testament to the high-quality speakers who have generously given their time to address the branch. The speakers have also kindly provided copies of their presentations, for inclusion on the branch website.

Other events have included: a joint dinner with North West Branch in May, entitled, 'How to Win at Arbitration / Adjudication', a series of technical meetings in Leeds and the North East Branch AGM and dinner in March.

The branch website has now been updated. It contains a variety of details concerning the operation of the branch and its activities and can be found at: www.arbitratorsnortheast.co.uk

The publication of the branch newsletter generated interest in the operation of the Yorkshire Arbitration Scheme and a question was raised as to whether, under the Branch Rules, the branch had the jurisdiction to form a panel of arbitrators and make arbitral appointments. This question was raised at the CIArb Congress in Malaysia and the trustees have resolved to approve the scheme, subject to appropriate safeguards which are being addressed.

Full details of the Yorkshire Arbitration Scheme, which is aimed at promoting the use of arbitration in local 'business to business' disputes of modest value, quickly and inexpensively, can be found at: www.theyorkshirearbitrationscheme.org.uk

The branch continues to maintain strong links with the MSc in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution run by Leeds Metropolitan University, which offers students a route to membership of CIArb. This year, a promotional file of information for students attending the course has been produced, which it is hoped will encourage students to join the Institute.

I am extremely grateful for the efforts of the branch committee whose assistance in running the branch affairs has been invaluable. It is the dedication, support and commitment of the committee, who have made a huge contribution to the operation of the branch, that makes the branch what it is.

Furthermore, without the support of the firms and employers of the committee members, who provide administrative support and rooms for our branch and committee meetings, we would not be able to function in the way that we do. Our thanks go to those organisations for their continued support.

Last Updated: 27 April 2010