Professional Conduct Committee and Complaints Process

The Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) plays a central role in maintaining the high professional and ethical standards expected of members of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb).

The PCC is responsible for considering allegations of misconduct and overseeing aspects of the disciplinary process relating to complaints about Ciarb members. The committee operates as part of Ciarb’s independent and impartial disciplinary framework, which is established under the Institute’s Royal Charter and Bye-laws.

The PCC considers complaints and other information concerning the conduct of Ciarb members. Its responsibilities include reviewing investigation reports and determining the appropriate next steps in accordance with the Disciplinary Rules.

Depending on the circumstances of a case, the PCC may:

• Dismiss a complaint where no further action is required
• Invite the member concerned to attend an interview with the Committee
• Impose certain sanctions or corrective measures where appropriate
• Refer serious matters for determination by a Disciplinary Tribunal

Ciarb maintains a formal disciplinary system to address allegations of misconduct by its members. The purpose of the process is to protect the public interest, uphold professional standards, and maintain confidence in the profession of dispute resolution.

While the process may vary depending on the nature of the complaint, it generally includes:

• Initial assessment of the complaint.
• Investigation, which may include review by a Peer Review Panel.
• Consideration by the Professional Conduct Committee.
• Referral to a Disciplinary Tribunal for serious cases.
• Appeal, where applicable, to an Appeals Tribunal.

Ciarb’s disciplinary procedures apply only to its members.

As of now, Ciarb is managing a total of 42 complaints in line with the Ciarb Disciplinary Rules (July 2024). Of these, 31 complaints have a Peer Review Panel (PRP) appointed, nine are at the pre-assessment stage, and two are on hold pending related external investigations.

To support transparency and accountability, Ciarb will update summary statistics on complaints and disciplinary outcomes every six months.

If you wish to raise a concern about the conduct of a Ciarb member, please contact: Legal@ciarb.org

Further information about the disciplinary framework can be found in the Ciarb Disciplinary Rules (2024).

PCC Members are typically experienced professionals from the dispute resolution community or related legal and professional fields. They bring subject-matter expertise and an understanding of professional practice to the committee’s work when considering allegations of misconduct.

Chair

• Angela Grahame KC

Members

• Matthew White
• Iain Sandford
• Joyce Alouch
• Paul Hayes
• Cam Wareham

Lay Members are individuals who are not members of Ciarb and are independent of the profession. They bring an external perspective to the committee’s work and help ensure that the disciplinary process is fair, transparent and aligned with the public interest.

Lay Members

• Peter Krepski
• Robert Talbot Rice
• David Tyme