About Us

The Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa) NPC (the Association) was formed in 1979 to constitute an organisation to promote arbitration as a means of resolving disputes, to provide a body of competent and experienced arbitrators and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) specialists for appointment as required, to assist arbitrators and ADR specialists in the efficient discharge of their duties, and to make arbitration and ADR more effective.

The Association is dedicated to promoting ADR in Southern Africa.  We aspire to be the leading proponent of mediation, adjudication, and arbitration, and to set the standard for excellence in dispute resolution through quality education, rigorous training, and advocacy of best practice.  We seek to empower ADR practitioners and advance ADR as the preferred means of resolving disputes fairly, efficiently, and timeously.

The Board of Directors is elected by the Members.  It administers the Association and decides matters of policy.  Office bearers are the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, and the Treasurer.

The Secretariat implements policy decisions and sees to the daily running of the Association.  It deals with all matters from administering the Association’s Education Programme to handling appointment submissions, venue hire bookings, handling publication orders and answering questions.

The Association only admits natural persons as members. There are two categories of members, namely Associates and Fellows. Membership of the Association is limited to those who have acceptable and recognised tertiary qualifications, ie. at least a NQF level 7 qualification.

Upskilling of members is imperative and the Association strives to offer quality ADR-related training to both its members and the public.  Of particular importance are the flagship Arbitration Courses and the internationally/court-annexed accredited Mediation Course.

Fellows are eligible for appointment as arbitrators, adjudicators and private mediators, either arising from standard commercial contracts (primarily but not limited to the construction industry such as JBCC, NEC, FIDIC and GCC), or by agreement at the request of parties in dispute.

For purposes of the Gauteng Judge President’s Mandatory Mediation Directive and Protocol applicable to the Gauteng Provincial Division of the High Court of South Africa as revised from time to time (the Directive and Protocol), the Association is a listed Recognised Mediation Organisation (RMO) affiliated with ADRP-SA and, as such, is authorised to appoint Qualified Mediators in court-annexed mediations.

The Association holds regular events, online and in-person, to upskill its members and the public.

The George Quail Library is housed at the offices of the Secretariat in Sandton, South Africa, and contains a variety of books and periodicals on arbitration and ADR, both national and international. All Association members are members of the George Quail Library. Members perform their own research.

In the heart of ‘Africa’s Richest Square Mile’ you will find a rare gem – versatile, quality corporate venue hire facilities, in a professional, friendly and relaxed atmosphere, to suit your needs and to compliment your pocket – always with confidentiality as our top priority.

Perfect for your meetings, hearings – arbitrations, adjudications, mediations – and small events.