During the course of the year the Branch held 12 events all of which were very well supported by members. The effects of the use of the Arbitration Act 1996 were of interest to members early in the year and many of our invited speakers gave us the benefit of their experience in relation to their topic. Apart from giving due weight to what Chris Dancaster called "the famous three" viz. Sections 1, 33 and 40, he explored a few sections of the Act and told of his procedural trials and tribulations. 'Pleadings' was the topic of Kim Franklin's forum on Issues and Initiatives in which she urged parties to be simple, honest and focused, then she went on to demonstrate that pleadings were the best vehicle for such simplicity and honesty.

We are pleased to be able to have in the Branch members like District Judge John Merrick, a seer in his own community, who came to disseminate some of his hard-learned experiences in the taking of evidence. Listen!

In the year that Adjudication found its feet we had a timely question posed by solicitor John Rushton, 'Will adjudication sound the death knell of arbitration?' John devoted his evening to answering the question by looking at the differences between arbitration and adjudication and drew conclusions from those differences.

On another occasion we considered Determination of Recoverable Costs. In the latter half of the year we explored various avenues of arbitration usage, commencing with a presentation by ARBRIX members of Rent Review Procedures and Problems in relation to the Arbitration Act 1996, followed in the autumn by consideration of International Arbitration.

A new venture of a luncheon meeting, modelled on the format adopted by the Arbitration Club, was tried to encourage members to discuss topics in a more informal atmosphere. We welcomed Robert Morgan from Hong Kong Branch.

In order to foster relations with other professionals, the Branch adapted a previously run mock arbitration and visited the South East Association of the Institution of Civil Engineers in the Council Chamber of County Hall, Maidstone. We have also initiated a Recruitment Scheme in the Branch whereby members who introduce a new person to join the Chartered Institute in accordance with the rules will, upon the candidate's election, receive a bottle of champagne. The Committee has been considering at each meeting a topic related to recruitment and promoting the interests of the Chartered Institute.

Every 15 months we hold an Arbitrator's Surgery, which this year was in May ably directed by Ian Menzies and assisted by Don Calder and Karen Gough.

The summer outing, although severely affected by the weather, was a visit to Hever Castle's lakeside theatre to see 'The Merry Wives of Windsor'.

Our magazine 'News and Views' continues to provide an interesting forum for debate and comment by the members as well keeping everyone up to date with events.