England – Western Counties Branch

2008 Annual Report by Peter Buechel, Chairman.

The principal branch officers in 2008/09 were: Peter Buechel (Chairman), Mike Twine (1st Vice Chairman), Jonathan Wyatt (2nd Vice Chairman), Morwenna Crichton (Honorary Secretary), Robin Gupta (Honorary Treasurer), and Brian Hinchcliffe (Public Relations Officer).

I resumed as Chairman of the Western Counties Branch, following the Branch AGM on 22 April 2008, taking over from Glyn Matthews, who had held term for three years due to the unfortunate circumstances documented in his report last year. The branch committee have now resolved, in order to cover the eventuality of an incumbent chairman being unable to take office, to appoint two members of the committee as vice chairmen.

In January 2008, Guy Cottam spoke at the Guildhall in Bath on the topic: "The Arbitrator as Solomon", focusing on the arbitrator's role in the pre-hearing resolution of the dispute before him. This thought-provoking presentation stimulated a lively debate from the floor.

In February 2008, David Cartwright directed a well-received Adjudication Workshop in Bristol under the Chairmanship of Glyn Matthews.

We were fortunate in having His Honour Judge Sir Mark Havelock-Allan Bt QC as our speaker at the Branch AGM in April 2008, when he delivered a most erudite paper on the subject of "Misconduct and Serious Irregularity". The branch is even more delighted that Sir Mark accepted the role of Branch Patron in succession to His Honour Judge Sean Overend.

In May 2008, Sue Banwell-Moore and Glyn Matthews conducted a very successful Mediation CPD day in Taunton, which was very well-received by those attending. A further course in the autumn for a wider audience, based upon the use of ADR skills in everyday management, was postponed, but went forward with success in the spring of 2009.

In August 2008 we held our informal summer meeting when members and their guests visited Dunster by means of the West Somerset Railway. Again Bernard Tipling is to be thanked for his meticulous organisation of this event.

In September 2008 the branch welcomed the President of CIArb, Teresa Cheng SC, to Exeter, where she updated us on matters relating to the Institute and gave our members a fascinating insight into dispute resolution in Hong Kong.

Our final meeting of 2008 took place in November in Taunton, when Neville Tait delivered a very clear and authoritative discourse on the necessary skills of award writing.

I should like to thank the branch committee for their support during the year. Jonathan Wyatt stood down as Honorary Secretary over the summer and I thank him for his service in this respect. Morwenna Crichton has taken up the role of Honorary Secretary with enthusiasm, as well as embracing the task of attracting young members to branch. I feel certain her efforts will bear fruit to the benefit of the branch and CIArb. Finally, thanks to Glyn Matthews for his continuing support as immediate past chairman of a term already extended beyond his expectation.

Last Updated: 13 May 2009