Lagos Court of Arbitration targets hospitality industry dispute resolution

The economic importance of the hospitality industry in Nigeria and the inevitability of disputes in the industry, were the nucleus of a roundtable conference held at the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA), in Lekki, Lagos recently.

According to the Chairman, Tourism and Hospitality Committee, Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), Mr Okey Egbuchu, alternative to dispute resolution is necessary to meet the challenges of today’s market by understanding and establishing strategies for effective dispute resolution management.

“Tourism service our life and help the economy running. With LCA/ADR trying to come in, I think we will get their,” Egbuchu said, adding that court is not the best way to resolve crisis in the hospitality industry.

At the same time, the Lagos Court of  Arbitration (LCA), has stated its readiness to work with both the public and private sectors of the Tourism and Hospitality industry in order to enhance effective dispute resolution management that will address certain economic issues.

LCA said, despite the provision for the inclusion of an alternative dispute resolution clause in most hospitality industry agreements, particularly, hotel management agreements, franchise agreements, technical service agreements and license agreements, it is not uncommon that these clauses are ignored when disputes arise.

LCA’s position was made known in one of its ‘Roundtable Series’, held in Lagos with the theme: ‘Rethinking Dispute Resolution in Nigeria’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector’ recently.

The 1st vice president, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi, speaking on: ‘Using ADR to resolve Collegiate, Professional and Sports business Disputes’, said sports disputes lend themselves to settlement by various forms of ADR because a speedy, flexible and relatively inexpensive dispute resolution process is required by the sports world.

He pointed out that presently, there is no functional ADR body specialized in sport related duties and recommended the establishment of such a body to facilitate sport tourism in Nigeria so that the country can rank among the countries that have gained tremendously in the world of sporting events.

Others speakers at the event include, the LCA/ICAA President, Mr. Yemi Candide-Johnson (SAN); CEO, Premium Sports, Ms Nkechi Obi; Principal Partner, Vatad Solicitors, Mrs Folashade Alli.