Scottish arbitrators launch youth section

Younger professionals with an interest in arbitration now have their own group within the Scottish Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

The branch has launched a Young Members Group Committee in Scotland, consisting of Laura McEwen (chair, CMS), Fiona Menzies (Scottish Arbitration Centre), Jennifer Macdonald (Turcan Connell), Martin Campbell (HKA), Sarah McIvor (Lloyds Banking Group) and Andrew Reid (Cooper & Hall). The committee plans to host regular events targeted at practitioners under the age of 40.

At a launch event at the Scottish Arbitration Centre in Edinburgh, Ms McEwen said: "In the run-up to ICCA 2020 [the International Council on Commercial Arbitration congress in Edinburgh], it is an exciting time for the arbitration and dispute resolution community in Scotland. The new committee for the CIArb Young Members Group wants to ensure the opportunities ICCA generates are also enjoyed by junior practitioners.  I look forward to developing an events programme and to continuing our collaboration with Young ICCA and the Scottish Arbitration Centre over the coming years."

Richard Farndale, chair of the Scottish Branch, commented: "The Scottish Branch of CIArb has been involved in events for students and young members for some time, led by our young members convener, Laura McEwen. The branch is now delighted to launch its new expanded Young Members Committee, and a programme of events for the coming year, as we anticipate exciting developments in the use of ADR including arbitration in Scotland."

Andrew Mackenzie, chief executive of the Scottish Arbitration Centre, added: "As arbitration work in Scotland increases, the Centre is keen to focus on young practitioners and to promote the opportunities in arbitration for young advocates, solicitors, surveyors and others. With ICCA Edinburgh in May 2020, which will include a Young ICCA conference, and the international arbitration community now focused on Scotland, we must capitalise on this opportunity and engage with young practitioners now to ensure there is a legacy for them post-ICCA 2020."