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• Grades of membership
• Accelerated routes to membership
• Experienced Practitioner Route to membership
• Chartered Arbitrator status
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Grades of membership

Grades of membership on entry

The grade of membership awarded on entry to the Institute is dependent on your background, as it is important that you demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience to that required for each grade.

By completing an application for membership and providing as much information as possible regarding this, we can award you the most appropriate grade and set out the Pathway you need to take in pursuit of the next one.

The three Grades of membership

There are three grades of CIArb membership:

• Associateship (ACIArb) - reflects a professional commitment to the encouragement and promotion of private dispute resolution.

• Membership (MCIArb) - reflects a high level of achievement and experience in the law and practice of private dispute resolution.
  
• Fellowship (FCIArb) - reflects the highest achievable academic standard. It is the benchmark that professional dispute resolvers aim to achieve.

We also have a category for retired members.

Becoming an ACIArb, MCIArb or FCIArb

Associate (ACIArb)

This 'entry-level' membership grade is for individuals who can demonstrate some suitable prior knowledge or experience of non-court dispute resolution, but it is not necessary to have studied law as we can provide the relevant training.

To become an Associate, you will be required to successfully complete one of the following options:

• A CIArb introductory course in the field of non-court dispute resolution;
• A relevant course offered by a CIArb Recognised Course Provider;
• A course offered by a CIArb Branch;
• Relevant experience in the field of non-court private dispute resolution.

Membership at this grade entitles individuals to use the post-nominal letters/designation 'ACIArb' after their name.

Member (MCIArb)

This membership grade is for individuals who can demonstrate a good, detailed level of knowledge of an area of dispute resolution. To become a Member, you will be required to successfully complete one of the following options:

• CIArb Modules 1 and 2 in arbitration, international arbitration, adjudication or mediation; A relevant course offered by a CIArb Recognised Course Provider;
• A course offered by a CIArb Branch;
• Accelerated Route to Membership.

Membership at this grade entitles individuals to use the post-nominal letters/designation 'MCIArb' after their name.

Fellow (FCIArb)

This membership grade is for individuals who can demonstrate an advanced, comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the principles, law and practices involved in a selected area of dispute resolution. To become a Fellow, you will be required to successfully complete one of the following options plus a Peer Interview*:

• CIArb Modules 3 and 4 in arbitration, international arbitration, adjudication or mediation;
• A relevant course offered by a CIArb Recognised Course Provider;
• A course offered by a CIArb Branch;
• Accelerated Route to Fellowship;
• Experienced Practitioner scheme.

*Individuals who choose to follow the mediation pathway will be required to demonstrate relevant mediation practice before progressing onto the Peer Interview stage.

Membership at this grade entitles individuals to use the post-nominal letters/designation 'FCIArb' after their name.

Last Updated: 16 November 2009