Program Overview 

Introduction to the Pilot Program

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (“CIArb”) is the world’s leading qualifications and professional body for dispute avoidance and dispute management.  It offers world-renowned education and practical training in arbitration.  This includes courses, which allow successful participants to achieve the designation Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), the highest grade of CIArb membership.

CIArb Canada is piloting a New Arbitrator Program for new Fellows. The Program is designed to provide the practical experience needed for new arbitrators to enter the highly competitive arbitration market. New Arbitrators are appointed on a pro-bono basis to decide commercial disputes¹ between parties that have chosen arbitration as their dispute resolution process before or after the dispute arose. The CIArb New Arbitrator Program operates across Canada.

CIArb Canada appreciates feedback about the New Arbitrator Program. Please click here to access the Feedback Form.

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the CIArb New Arbitrator Program is to provide new arbitrators with the practical experience in conducting commercial arbitration proceedings and in writing enforceable awards.

While many new Fellows may have significant arbitration experience, they often find it difficult to obtain appointments because they lack the level of practical experience usually required to be on a roster of an arbitral institution and therefore eligible to be appointed as an arbitrator. The New Arbitrator Program bridges the gap between achieving a professional qualification to act as an arbitrator and becoming an established practitioner eligible to be on a roster of an arbitral institution. Therefore, the New Arbitrator Program is consistent with the CIArb’s dual mandates to promote arbitration as an alternative to litigation in the courts, and to provide education and training in alternative dispute resolution. In addition, the New Arbitrator Program advances diversity initiatives by providing opportunities for well-qualified young arbitrators, and/or arbitrators from historically disadvantaged and/or underrepresented groups. Finally, the New Arbitrator Program is also complementary to the local court systems. It supports access to justice because New Arbitrators provide their services for no charge.