Crafting a Persuasive Case in International Arbitration Proceedings: From Preparations to Submissions

Young ICCA and Young ITA are pleased to invite you to an interactive workshop on "Crafting a Persuasive Case in International Arbitration Proceedings: From Preparations to Submissions", scheduled on 29 September 2025, both virtually and in-person in Lagos, Nigeria. This event aims to equip young practitioners with skills and tips needed to build a persuasive case, from case preparations to written and oral submissions, ensuring that arguments are both legally sound and compelling.

The event will be divided into two sessions: i) the Interactive Workshop Session and (ii) the Fireside Chat session.

Interactive Workshop Session

The event opens with an interactive workshop, where facilitators discuss tips for building a persuasive case, including points to bear in mind for witness selection, preparing for cross-examination of witnesses, and telling a compelling story through oral and written submissions. Participants will then be provided with a case scenario and guided through discussions aimed at building a persuasive case for the claimant and respondent in the case scenario.  

 Fireside Chat Session

Following the Interactive Workshop is the Fireside Chat with two leading experts in international arbitration. They will share practical strategies and lessons from their extensive experience, covering case theory and preparation, witness handling, cross-examination, and persuasive written submissions. The discussion will also address tribunal dynamics, professional ethics, efficiency in proceedings, and emerging trends in international arbitration, while inviting questions from the audience to ensure participants leave with actionable insights.

The evening concludes with a networking cocktail reception, giving participants the chance to connect and exchange ideas in a relaxed setting.

Venue: Aluko & Oyebode, 1 Murtala Mohammed Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos. (Hybrid)

Event Agenda

2:30pm. Registration

3:00pm – 3:15pm. Welcome Address Ms. Chizaram Mbah, Young ICCA Scholarships Co-Director; Dr. Paul Kimani, Young ITA Africa Co-Chair

3:15pm – 4:45pm. Interactive Workshop Session: Crafting a Persuasive Case

Moderator

·        Ms. Chizaram Mbah, Young ICCA Scholarships Co-Director, Senior Associate, Aluko & Oyebode, Lagos Nigeria

Panelists

·        Mr. Oladimeji Ojo, Legal Counsel, International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), World Bank Group

·        Ms. Perenami Momodu, International Arbitration Consultant, Head of Africa Practice, Gateley

4:50PM – 5:35PM. Fireside Chat: Insights from Leading Practitioners

Moderator

·       Ms. Joy Mgbado, Young ITA Africa Co-Chair, Senior Associate, Aluko & Oyebode, Lagos, Nigeria

Panelists

·       Mr. Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN (Senior Partner, Aluko & Oyebode)

·       Ms. Funke Adekoya, SAN (Independent Arbitrator)

5:35PM – 5:40PM. Closing remarks (Representative from Host, Aluko & Oyebode)

5:40PM – 7:30PM. Networking Cocktail Reception

Organisers

Young International Council for Commercial Arbitration (Young ICCA) / The Young Institute for Transnational Arbitration (Young ITA)

Sponsors

Aluko & Oyebode; Gateley Legal

Supporting Organisations

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC) https://laciac.org/

Young ICCA & Young ITA Interactive Workshop: Crafting a Persuasive Case in International Arbitration Proceedings: From Preparation to Submissions

The Young ICCA and Young ITA jointly hosted an interactive workshop on international arbitration, which took place on September 29, 2025, at Aluko & Oyebode 1 Murtala Mohammed Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. The event, titled “Crafting a Persuasive Case in International Arbitration Proceedings: From Preparations to Submissions,” brought together participants both in-person in Lagos and virtually from around the world, to exchange insights and practical tips on building a compelling case at various stages of arbitration proceedings. 

Introduction

The workshop commenced with welcome addresses delivered by Ms. Chizaram Mbah, Young ICCA Scholarships Co-Director, and Dr. Paul Kimani, the Young ITA Africa Co-Chair. In her opening remarks, Ms. Mbah provided a comprehensive overview of Young ICCA and its initiatives, highlighting the organization’s scholarships partnerships and mentorship programme. She encouraged practitioners to join the network and take advantage of the opportunities it offers. Dr. Kimani followed with a warm welcome, introducing Young ITA and emphasizing its role in shaping the future of transnational arbitration among African professionals.

Interactive Panel Session

Immediately after the introductions, the workshop transitioned into an interactive panel session on Crafting a Persuasive Case in International Arbitration, moderated by Ms. Mbah. The panel featured Ms. Perenami Momodu (International Arbitration Consultant and Head of Africa Practice at Gateley) and Mr. Oladimeji Ojo (Legal Counsel at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), World Bank Group). 

Ms. Momodu discussed preparation of witnesses and the presentation of evidence in international arbitration. She emphasized that there is no single framework that governs witness examination in international arbitration, as various soft laws may apply depending on the forum or tribunal. She underscored the importance of witness selection as part of the overall arbitration strategy, noting that both factual and expert witnesses should be chosen for their ability to clearly assist the tribunal in resolving the issues in dispute. Regarding factual witnesses, she advised that they should have first-hand knowledge of the facts and be clear, credible, and convincing in their testimony. As for expert witnesses, she stressed that they should be credible and able to present technical evidence in a manner that is accessible and persuasive to the tribunal.

Mr. Ojo spoke about building a persuasive case through oral submissions and post-hearing submissions. He stated that the primary role of counsel in arbitration is to present the case clearly and in the right perspective for the tribunal. This involves outlining the claims, linking them to supporting evidence, and applying coherent legal theories on liability or damages, as applicable. On oral submissions, he advised that counsel should structure their presentations so that the most critical issues are addressed first. He also recommended using demonstratives to highlight and illustrate documents being discussed, rather than as speaking notes. With respect to post-hearing submissions, Mr. Ojo highlighted that closing submissions present an opportunity to reorganize one’s case by identifying and addressing the issues that appeared most significant to the tribunal during the hearing, as reflected in the tribunal’s questions. He further noted the importance of “speaking for the transcript,” ensuring that arguments are articulated clearly for the record.

Case Study

Following the panel session, participants were divided into Claimant and Respondent groups to simulate an arbitration case study under Nigerian law and the LACIAC Arbitration Rules. The dispute centred on a drilling services contract, with the Claimant alleging negligence that caused wellbore obstructions, delays, and safety risks, and seeking USD1million in damages. The Respondent denied liability, arguing the incidents were unavoidable, and counterclaimed USD 900,000 in unpaid rates. Both groups applied insights from the panel discussion in selecting factual and expert witnesses and testing how they would present their oral submissions. 

Fireside Chat

The case study was followed by a Fireside Chat, offering participants the opportunity to gain insights from leading international arbitration practitioners. The chat was moderated by Ms. Joy Mgbado, the Co-Chair of Young ITA Africa and had Ms. Funke Adekoya, SAN, an independent arbitrator and Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, FCIArb, Managing Partner at S.P.A. Ajibade & Co., as discussants. Both speakers shared their first experiences as international arbitrators, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and growth in preparation for opportunities. 

Ms. Adekoya highlighted current trends in diversity within international arbitration while noting its value in providing African professionals with greater exposure. She also underscored that appointment as an international arbitrator is not only a personal achievement but also a representation of the continent and a call to discharge that duty with excellence. Dr. Ajibade, in turn, addressed how Nigerian practitioners can transfer skills from litigation and domestic arbitration to bridge knowledge and experience gaps when engaging with arbitrators and counsel from the more dominant jurisdictions in international arbitration.

In closing, Ms. Adekoya and Dr. Ajibade reflected on the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations’ Green Pledge, the growing commitment to sustainability within the arbitration community, the role of artificial intelligence in case preparation, and strategies for managing the pressures of international arbitration practice.

Conclusion and Closing Address

Mr. Ngo-Martins Okonmah, Partner at Aluko & Oyebode gave the closing address, thanking the audience and panellists for their contribution. The event concluded with a networking cocktail reception, giving participants an opportunity to connect and continue the discussions informally.