1. Increasing Complexity of Commercial Disputes: Judicial Specialisation as a Solution Tunde Fagbohunlu Aluko & Oyebode

2. Perspective What business interests require of the judicial system: efficient and effective resolution of commercial disputes Judicial specialisation desirable But ineffective without holistic reform Anecdotal evidence

3. Attributes of the Specialist Judge Comprehensive knowledge of legal rules Good knowledge of practices/customs in relevant sector (e.g. UCP 500, INCOTERMS) Clear understanding of underlying policies Excellent case management skills

4. Efficiency and Efficacy: Three Critical Points Protection Resolution Enforcement

5. Protection Preservative Orders, Injunctions, Anton Piller Orders, Ship Arrests etc Skills requirements: - Balancing rights/interests - Fashioning “win/win” solutions Challenge: Judicial independence: - the “chilling” effect of regulatory sanctions - the “put them on notice” syndrome

6. Resolution Efficiency in dispute resolution: expeditious and just determination of merits Relevance of specialist judicial skills: case management skills, sound knowledge of law, usage and policy. Challenges: - “Derailment Tactics” - Unhelpful appellate process

7. Enforcement Case study: enforcement of international arbitral awards - The “result-oriented” approach in the England & Wales Commercial Court – underlying policy - Comparison with Nigerian timescales Case A: 2 ½ Years Case B: 1 Year 6 months