Global Leader in Online Arbitration & Mediation Training
Transforming Dispute Resolution - Empowering Lawyers, ADR professionals, and students with AI capabilities, AR-powered learning and world-class global certification
The Center for International Mediators and Arbitrators (CIMA), England & Wales, is a global leader in online ADR training and certification. With members in more than 33 countries, CIMA is dedicated to empowering lawyers, ADR practitioners, and students through internationally benchmarked training and certification, AI-driven simulations, thought-leadership events, and practical mock proceedings.
We are the 2025 Title Sponsor and Official Training Partner of the MMCS International Maritime Arbitration Competition (MIMAC 2025) in the Asia and the Official ADR Partner of the 2025 REACO Conference in Africa. If your ambition is to build a distinguished and rewarding career in international mediation and arbitration, CIMA is your ideal partner. Our Global Programs in arbitration and mediation offer a trusted pathway. Upon successful completion of Parts I, II and III, participants earn Fellowship; the FCIMArb designation—one of the most respected credentials in the ADR field.
CIMA membership connects you to a prestigious international network and opens doors to elite institutions in London, New York, Accra, Kigali, Singapore, and Dubai. Let's help you shape your future in global dispute resolution. Join CIMA today.
Redefining Arbitration and Mediation Training for the Digital Age
Latest from CIMA
CIMA Governing Council Approves Naming Rules – Accra International Arbitration Rules
Accra, Ghana — 10 Dec 2025 The Governing Council of the Center for International Mediators and Arbitrators (CIMA) has approved a resolution to formally re-brand its new 2025 procedural frameworks as the Accra International Arbitration and Mediation Rules 2025. The Accra International Rules will be officially launched in January 2026. The decision affirms Accra’s growing status as a continental hub for trade, investment, and dispute resolution—particularly following the ratification of the AfCFTA Agreement by 48 African Union Member States. CIMA’s rebranding aligns Accra with global best practice, mirroring institutions such as the LCIA, SIAC, and HKIAC, which anchor their rules in leading arbitral cities. CIMA’s new Rules introduce a modern, efficient, and technology-ready framework for domestic and international dispute resolution, designed to expand opportunities for African arbitrators and enhance the continent’s role in global arbitration practice. Further details about the January launch will be announced shortly.
IBA Toronto: Growing Demand for African Arbitration and ADR
Date: 10 November 2025 – Source: African Law and Business At the International Bar Association (IBA) Conference in Toronto, African practitioners stressed the continent’s strong appetite for arbitration and mediation, calling for greater ownership of dispute resolution processes. Speakers highlighted persistent gaps, including few African arbitral seats, limited trust in domestic courts, and the continued dominance of foreign governing laws and institutions. Experts urged reforms such as specialist arbitration benches, stronger institutional support, and capacity-building for African arbitrators. Cost concerns were raised, with calls for parties to use African arbitral centres where fees and currency are more accessible. Judges from Ghana and Nigeria also reported growing judicial support for mediation under frameworks like Nigeria’s Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 and Ghana’s ADR Act 2010. The IBA leadership acknowledged the need for deeper engagement with Africa to strengthen global inclusivity. Read More
The ADR Act 2010 and the Rise of Non-lawyers as Arbitrators
In the past, arbitration was often associated with lawyers and retired judges, yet an increasing number of arbitrators today come from non-legal backgrounds. Engineers, economists, accountants, and industry specialists are now appointed to tribunals because they offer practical insight into the technical and commercial realities underpinning many disputes. Their expertise can be invaluable where the facts are complex and industry-specific and where legal training alone may not suffice. This development reflects arbitration’s core advantage—party autonomy. In sectors such as construction, shipping, security and finance, parties often prefer decision-makers who understand the operational context of their dealings. Non-lawyer arbitrators can thus strengthen confidence in the process by rendering decisions informed by industry knowledge rather than purely abstract legal reasoning. While critics caution that some non-lawyers may lack procedural and enforcement expertise, such concerns are often mitigated by mixed tribunals or institutional rules. The growing acceptance of non-lawyer arbitrators demonstrates that arbitration
Ghana CJ Declares ADR Week: 24–28 Nov 2025
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has declared 24–28 November 2025 as ADR Week under the theme “Adoption of Innovation and Technology to Enhance Access to Justice.” A total of 138 courts (35 Circuit, 103 District) will dedicate the week to mediation and settlement of cases. The Week will be officially opened at the Ho High Court on Monday at 9:00 a.m. ADR Week aims to expand access to justice through the Court-Connected ADR programme. Source: Judicial Service / Superlaw (23 Nov 2025). Read More
