Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1988
The Arbitration and Conciliation Act provides the legal framework for commercial arbitration and conciliation in Nigeria. Enacted in 1988, it is based on the UNCITRAL Model Law and governs the conduct of arbitration proceedings, the appointment and powers of arbitrators, the enforcement of arbitral awards, and the role of courts in supporting arbitration.
Legal area: Law governing arbitration, conciliation, and other non-judicial dispute resolution mechanisms.
Year enacted: 1988
Full text: https://lawsofnigeria.placng.org/laws/arbitration-and-conciliation-act.html
Key Provisions
- Part I: Arbitration agreement and the appointment of arbitrators
- Part II: Powers and duties of arbitral tribunals
- Part III: Procedure for conducting arbitration proceedings
- Part IV: Setting aside and enforcement of arbitral awards
- Section 1: Validity and scope of arbitration agreements
- Section 34: Enforcement of awards as if they were court judgments
Significance
The Arbitration and Conciliation Act is the primary statute governing ADR in Nigeria’s commercial disputes. Nigeria is a signatory to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, and this Act implements its provisions domestically.