Candide-Johnson becomes new president of Lagos court of arbitration

THE Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA) Board of Directors has confirmed the appointment of Mr.Yemi Candide-Johnson (SAN) as the President of the Court.

According to a statement released by the Court, Candide-Johnson joined the Board of the LCA in 2014. He is a legal practitioner of repute with over 30 years professional experience in both local and international commercial arbitration and is the senior partner, Strachan Partners—a leading commercial law firm based in Lagos with substantial practice across the nation.

“As an ADR enthusiast he serves on various functions in the arbitral sphere. Under his capacity as the Chairman of the Lagos State Arbitration Law Reform Committee, he was involved in the reform of arbitration laws, one of which led to the enactment of the Lagos State Arbitration Law, 2009 and subsequent establishment of the Lagos Court of Arbitration.

“With an enviable track record, Candide-Johnson has featured in several high profile commercial cases. He continues to act as lead counsel/arbitrator in the areas of maritime, oil & gas, real estate and construction”, the statement reads in part.

The Court added that Candide-Johnson will lead the Board of Directors in his new role and provide counsel to the leadership of the LCA on business strategies, portfolio choices, and organization decisions.

Commending his appointment, the outgoing President, Mr Olasupo Shasore (SAN) said: “we welcome Candide-Johnson’s experience and leadership. His accomplishments are phenomenal. No doubt, the LCA will benefit from his result-oriented approach”.

The new president is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of England (FCIArb) as well as an approved tutor and examiner for the UK Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, an honorary fellow at the Centre for International Legal Studies in Salzburg, Austria, and a supporting member of the London Maritime Arbitration Association.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in July 1984, appointed a Notary Public for Nigeria in 1988 and holds a Master degree in Law from the University of London.

In 2013, he was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He is an author of several scholarly papers in the public sphere which include the text, Commercial Arbitration Law and International Practice in Nigeria, (2012, LexisNexis) which he co-authored with Mr Sharsore.

He was a former Chairman, of the Nigeria Bar Association, Section on Business Law; Chairman, Sub-Committee on legal and regulatory matters which was responsible for drafting the Telecommunications Law, 2003; and Chairman, Lagos State Arbitration Law Reform Committee 2007/2008.

Currently, Mr Candide-Johnson is a member of the Panel of Neutrals for Lagos State Multi-door Court House; member, Board of Trustees of Communicating for Change; Editorial Consultant, Judgments of the Supreme Court of Nigeria; member, Association of International Petroleum Negotiators; member, Nigerian Communications Commission Panel of Neutrals; Secretary, Parish Church Council, Anglican Church on the Peninsula; and member, Advisory Board of LEAP Africa.