Arbitration on Trial: Accountability, Ethics, and Public Trust

• Date: Friday, 20th February 2026

• Time: 2.00 PM – 4.30 PM (EAT)

• Format: In-Person Public Lecture and Panel Discussion

• Venue: Nairobi Serena Hotel

• FEE: Kshs 3000/-

Arbitration stands at a critical inflection point. While it remains the preferred mechanism for resolving domestic, cross-border, and investor-state disputes, its legitimacy is increasingly questioned by courts, users, states, civil society, and the media.

Concerns relating to accountability, ethics, transparency, cost, delay, and public trust cut across domestic arbitration, international commercial arbitration, and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). This public lecture is deliberately framed as a candid interrogation of arbitration itself — not to undermine it, but to strengthen it.

By convening this dialogue, Ciarb Kenya positions itself as a global standard-setter and thought leader, affirming that trust in arbitration is not assumed; it must be designed, governed, and earned.

The event seeks to:

• Move beyond defensive narratives about arbitration

• Acknowledge real and perceived legitimacy challenges

• Differentiate risks across domestic, international, and ISDS arbitration

• Articulate reform-oriented solutions grounded in ethics and accountability

• Demonstrate Ciarb Kenya’s leadership in shaping the future of arbitration

• Critically examine why arbitration is perceived to be “on trial”

• Identify ethical and accountability gaps across arbitration contexts

• Compare legitimacy challenges in domestic, international, and ISDS arbitration

• Explore professional self-regulation as a mechanism for restoring trust

• Position Ciarb (Kenya) as a credible solutions provider and global thought leader