When
Dr Nael Bunni opened with the remark “back in July 1999, South East Branch were
the first within the Chartered Institute to invite him to make such a visit and
speak” there was more than a hint of preparedness! Assisted by PowerPoint notes
in his presentation, Dr Bunni “ribboned a theme” of the importance of
continuity to the Institute’s role throughout its entire Membership.
In
his opinion, the Membership has two distinct components. The first incorporates a large number of
“Professionals” who purely wish to support and learn about the principle of
Arbitration rather than Litigation. The
second, comprising of those who wish to undertake the role of an Arbitrator
within the process of Arbitration. Dr Bunni commented that earlier in the day
he had presented his second Presidential Report to the Council. Having reached the pinnacle of becoming
President, there was now the realisation that very little can be achieved by
one person in one year! Further, it now
appeared to be a good plan to build on the efforts of predecessors over his
remaining term through to June 2001.
Just
how profound the President’s presentation was at the time is only now being a little
better understood in terms of the “Strategic Review” that is sweeping through
our Institute.
The
range of topics in the presentation included comment upon:
·
New
Membership.
·
Professional
entry.
·
The
impact of the expanded Membership grades.
·
The
Chartered Arbitrator entitlement.
·
The
acquisition of a new HQ.
·
Education
policy beyond the needs of UK Practitioner.
·
The
Chartered Institute as a premier global professional arbitral body.
·
The
Presidential Appointment Scheme.
·
Developing
links with the USA, Europe and the Far East to build on past initiatives.
·
The
growing importance of ADR.
·
Representation
on the current UNICITRAL Development Round in Vienna.
·
Questions posed to the President by Branch Members
included:
·
The
issue(s) of Corporate Membership Grades, Registered Arbitrators, Panel
Arbitrators and Chartered Arbitrators.
Have these changes caused unnecessary confusion? Some felt that clients are bewildered as to
whom to approach!
·
What is
a “Registered Chartered Arbitrator”??
·
What is
proposed to overcome the lack of finance for the Resource Centre? Surely a vital component in maintaining the
reputation of a Learned Society, especially within its Membership.
These
points were all gracefully accepted, with the ambition to find a resolution in
the operation of the revised management structure undertaking the Strategic
Review. Further, it is desirable to maintain a balanced relationship between HQ
and the Branches. Professor Needham is
Chairing a Workshop to take the views of some 180 Institute Members. How that will impact upon the Institute
remains to be seen. The Institute will
insist on maintaining the ethos that our Learned Society equals High
Reputation.
Our
Journal continues to represent all that is good in the Institute – a veritable
beacon that highlights our prowess for maintaining “highest quality”. It is one component that keeps our
reputation intact and justifies our Institute’s presence at UNITRAL, as did the
input of Lord Wilberforce in preparing the Model Law, which also demonstrated
our capacity to influence.
Ian
Patterson Wilson