The Chartered Institute’s President this year is Jim Leckie. He will be visiting us on 16 September to update us, as do Presidents each year, on his aims and objectives for the Institute, and to answer our questions. Jim is a Barrister and been heavily involved for many years in the training and qualification of those seeking to advance through the membership grades. This is an added incentive to attend this event.

Following our event in April we have identified a need to put on a demonstration adjudication hearing. The case will be put by two non-legal party representatives, and Neville Tait, engineer, arbitrator and adjudicator, has kindly agreed to travel from the wilds of Suffolk to chair the hearing. Beforehand there will be a short explanation of the process for the unfamiliar. Neville will publish his decision, which will be made available after the event on the Branch website. This is the first of a two-part activity, with the second part, the enforcement application, occurring on 17 February 2004, when His Honour Judge Anthony Thornton of the TCC will hear the enforcement application. To get full value you are strongly advised to attend both events.

Branch Dinner at Reigate Manor Hotel                                                    Booking Form

The success of holding events at the Reigate Manor Hotel has prompted us to hold the annual dinner there on Friday 7 November. As we had no dinner in 2002, I hope that we shall have a good turnout this year. This time there will be no formal speeches, but instead a cabaret-style entertainment. It would be most helpful to us if members could book as soon as possible. Those of you who have attended Branch events in recent months will know the food is of a high standard. Accommodation may be arranged at the hotel (telephone 01737 240125 – they are offering discounted accommodation at £70.00 double B&B and £55.00 single B&B) or at the nearby Bridge House Hotel (telephone 01737 244821), so there is no need to worry about the mismatch between the boys in blue and the "spirit" of the occasion. Do come, with your guests.  More information

Karen Gough is a practising barrister and past President of the Institute. Karen will talk to us at a practical level on getting decisions and awards right or, as she has put it, at least staying out of trouble. This is a must for all those acting as arbitrators and adjudicators, as well as for those representing parties.

Colin Wall will be travelling to London from Hong Kong on business at this time and has kindly offered to stop over to give this talk on mediation. Mediation is growing fast, and it is favoured by the courts in the settlement of disputes. Colin will share with us the benefits of his vast experience in this field and his perception of the future. Mediation is a necessary part of our armoury of dispute resolution procedures, and we should all keep abreast of developments.