CIMA Qualification Pathway
Structured Courses and Eligibility Requirements for Each Level
CIMA Qualification Pathway
CIMA membership is open to individuals worldwide, irrespective of their country of origin. To become a member of the Center for International Mediators and Arbitrators (CIMA), you choose an approved level—Associate (ACIMArb), Member (MCIMArb), or Fellow (FCIMArb)—. You can join by completing a CIMA-approved training course or showing equivalent qualifications; in which case, you apply online with your documents and pay the expedited membership fee. Once approved, you receive your certificate and post nominals and join a global network of ADR professionals.
ASSOCIATE (ACIMArb)
To introduce aspiring ADR professionals to the fundamentals of arbitration and mediation in domestic and international contexts.
- Introduction to Domestic and International Arbitration
- Arbitration Agreements
- Domestic and International Legal Framework
- Overview of Arbitration Proceedings and Practice
- Arbitration Award and Enforcement
- Ethics, Independence, Cybersecurity and AI
Mock Arbitration and Exercises
Duration: 2–3 days
Format: In-person / Virtual
Assessment: Multiple-choice
- All professionals (law/non-law)
- No prior ADR training required
- Application & fee payment
- Certificate of Completion
- Eligible for ACIMArb
- Progress to Member level
MEMBER (MCIMArb)
To develop deeper understanding of arbitration procedures, award writing, and legal foundations.
- Legal & Institutional Framework
- Commencement & Tribunal Formation
- Duties & Powers in Arbitration
- Conduct & Evidentiary Matters
- Awards, Costs, Post-Award
Mock Arbitration and Exercises
Duration: 3–5 days
Assessment: Written or Exemption Exam
- All professionals (law/non-law)
- ACIMArb required
- Application & fee payment
- Certificate of Membership
- Eligible for FCIMArb
- Progress to Fellowship level
FELLOW (FCIMArb)
To equip participants with the highest competence to serve as lead arbitrators or expert neutrals.
- Contract, Tort & Legal Context
- Agreements, Tribunal, Procedures
- Award Writing & Dissertation
- Post-Award Procedures
- Practice & Emerging Trends
Mock Arbitration and Exercises
Duration: 5-day intensive + dissertation (7 days–2 months)
Assessment: Take-home award writing
- MCIMArb or equivalent
- 7+ years ADR or 10+ legal experience
- Proven award-writing skills
- CV & application submission
- Accelerated route: Law degree + experience
- Certificate of Fellowship
- Use post-nominal FCIMArb
- Listed on CIMA panels
- Eligible to train, mentor, examine
Expedited Route to Membership (MCIMArb)
Expedited Route to MCIMArb Membership — a fast-track pathway designed for legal professionals, ADR practitioners, and those with foundational ADR training (e.g., LLM (ADR) holders) seeking Mid-Level Professional Accreditation in Domestic and International Arbitration.
Your submission will be evaluated by an assessor based on:
- Understanding of arbitration principles
- Application to facts/scenarios
- Professional writing and structure
A pass, being 50% and above is required to be admitted to MCIMArb.
- LL.M holders, ACIMArb members, or experienced legal professionals
- Demonstrated knowledge of arbitration law and procedure
- Assessment Paper (scenario-based and reflective questions)
- 14-day submission timeline
- Certificate of Membership, MCIMArb (England & Wales) upon successful completion
- Use of the post-nominal MCIMArb
- Access to advanced arbitration training
- Eligibility for Fellowship Pathway (FCIMArb)
Student Member – Free
Professionals with relevant qualifications or training in mediation or arbitration can apply for Member of the Center for International Mediators and Arbitrators (MCIMArb) status. Applicants must meet CIMA’s competency criteria and demonstrate active engagement in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Progression Table
| Level | Course Title | Eligibility | Post Nominal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | Introduction to Law, Practice & Procedure in Arbitration | Open to all; no prior ADR experience | ACIMArb |
| Member | Advanced Law, Practice & Procedure in International Arb. | ACIMArb or equivalent; legal training | MCIMArb |
| Fellow | Qualifying Route to Fellowship | MCIMArb or 10+ years of ADR/legal practice | FCIMArb |
CIMA Brochure
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With CIMA, the designation “Certified International Arbitrator” is not an official title per se. However, in practical and professional terms, the level that is most commonly regarded as indicating that one is a fully qualified international arbitrator Fellow (FCIMArb). The reason is that:
- It is the highest level of membership in CIMA (England & Wales).
- Fellowship is awarded only after completing rigorous training, including:
- Law practice and procedure in domestic and international arbitration
- Arbitral award writing
- Assessments (written and/or oral)
- Fellowship is awarded only after completing rigorous training, including:
- Recognized internationally as the benchmark qualification to sit as an arbitrator in complex domestic and cross-border disputes.
Overview of CIMA Levels:
| Level | Post Nominal | Qualification Description | Recognised as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | ACIMArb | Introductory knowledge; suitable for support roles | Arbitration Associate |
| Member | MCIMArb | Intermediate; can participate in arbitral process | Arbitration Practitioner |
| Fellow | FCIMArb | Advanced; meets global standards to sit as arbitrator | Certified International Arbitrator |
Career and Job Opportunities
- Arbitrator (Domestic & International) – FCIMArb holders may be appointed as sole or presiding arbitrators in commercial, construction, and investor-state disputes.
- Tribunal Secretary or Registrar – MCIMArb and ACIMArb holders are eligible for support roles in institutional and ad hoc arbitrations.
- Mediator / Conciliator – Especially where CIMA’s ADR training includes mediation competencies.
- Arbitral Counsel (ADR/Dispute Resolution Unit) – In law firms, banks, multinationals, and regulatory agencies.
- In-House Legal & Compliance Officer – Equipped with dispute avoidance and settlement skills.
- ADR Researcher / Consultant – For NGOs, think tanks, and international organizations.
- Registrar or Staff of Arbitration Centers
- Court-Connected ADR Officer
- Policy Advisor on Dispute Resolution – Ministries of Justice, Trade, Foreign Affairs
- Judicial Training Support – Supporting court-annexed ADR reforms
- UN, UNCITRAL, AfCFTA Secretariat, OHADA, ECOWAS – Technical consultants and dispute resolution experts
- The World Bank & International Finance Corporation (IFC) – Project evaluators, compliance officers with ADR focus
- ADR Lecturer or Trainer – In universities, law schools, and professional institutes
- Conference Speaker / Panelist – At bar association events, international ADR forums, and training workshops
- Establishing an ADR Law Practice or Firm
- Panel Membership – With local and international arbitration institutions (e.g., CIMA, NCIA, KCIA, CIArb, ICC, LCIA, DIAC)
- Contractual Negotiation Consultant
- Business Development in Dispute Prevention and Resolution
Certificate and Post-Nominal Recognition
| Level | Certificate Outcome | Recognition Status |
|---|---|---|
| Associate | Certificate of Associate Member + ACIMArb title | Recognised by professional institutions, courts, and ADR providers as proof of foundational competence |
| Member | Certificate of Membership + MCIMArb title | Recognised as an advanced practitioner eligible for appointments and further training |
| Fellow | Certificate of Fellowship + FCIMArb title | FCIMArb Certificate of Fellowship + FCIMArb title Highly regarded internationally; denotes professional excellence and leadership in ADR |
Institutional & International Recognition:
- Accepted by law firms, courts, and arbitration centres across Africa, the UK, and the Commonwealth
- Eligible for reciprocal recognition with partner institutions
- Meets international best practices aligned with UNCITRAL and CIArb standards
- Valued by bar associations, judicial training institutions, and law faculties globally
Why Your CIMA Certificate Matters
Your CIMA certificate at any level is not merely academic—it is a professional badge of trust, competence, and credibility. It opens doors to:
- Domestic and Cross-border practice
- Panel appointments locally and internationally.
- Consultancy engagements
- Access to a global network of ADR professionals
- Teaching and mentorship roles
CIMA Mediation Qualification Pathway
• Assessment: Multiple-choice or short-answer test
• Eligibility: Open to all professionals with interest in mediation
- Nature and Scope of Mediation
- Principles of Voluntariness, Confidentiality, and Neutrality
- Mediation Stages: Opening, Exploration, Negotiation, Agreement
- Role of the Mediator vs. Arbitrator or Judge
- Introduction to Mediation Legal Frameworks (Singapore Convention, UNCITRAL, National Legislation etc.)
- Institutional vs. Ad hoc Mediation Processes
Mock Mediation and Exercises
- Open to all professionals (legal and non-legal backgrounds)
- No prior legal or ADR experience required
- Interest in ADR, conflict resolution, or peacebuilding required
• Assessment: Simulated mediation + open-book written assessment
• Prerequisite: ACIMed or equivalent experience
- Advanced Mediation Techniques and Process Design
- Mediation Advocacy and Party Representation
- Ethics and Professional Standards for Mediators
- Multi-party and Cross-border Mediation
- Drafting and Enforcing Settlement Agreements
- Confidentiality and Admissibility under Evidence Law
- Comparative Mediation Laws and Regulations (Domestic and International)
- Institutional Rules and Codes of Conduct
Mock Mediation and Exercises
- Completion of ACIMed or equivalent foundational course
- OR: Law degree, or proven ADR/mediation practice experience
- Must demonstrate basic mediation or conflict resolution training
• Assessment:
o Assessed role-play mediations
o Case analysis report
o Submission of a dissertation or capstone paper
o Peer and trainer evaluation
• Prerequisite: MCIMed + relevant mediation experience
- Complex, High-Stakes, and Cross-Cultural Mediations
- Mediation in Investor-State and Public International Law
- Med-Arb and Hybrid Dispute Resolution Models
- Ethics in International and Multilateral Mediation
- Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and AI in Mediation
- System Design for Dispute Prevention and Resolution
- Global Trends and Policy Innovation in Mediation Practice
Mock Mediation and Exercises
- Completion of MCIMed or equivalent training
- Proven mediation experience (minimum 20 mediations or 10 years cumulative experience)
- Law degree, postgraduate degree, or senior professional status preferred
- Submission of mediation portfolio or references may be required
