BITs in Plain Terms: What They Cover and What They Don’t

Inside the Room: ICC Advanced Training on Drafting Enforceable Awards | ICC Africa Conference Day 1

I spent today at the ICC Institute of World Business Law Advanced Training on Drafting Enforceable Awards in Lagos - and I am bringing everything back to you. In this debrief, I cover what the sessions taught about drafting style, the civil law versus common law divide, and the six building blocks every award must contain. I go deep on the sections practitioners get wrong most often - jurisdiction, damages, interest, and costs - including a real example of a Nigerian enforcement attempt that failed because three words were missing from the award. I also take you inside the ICC scrutiny process in a way most practitioners never get to see, and walk you through a mock court session where our working group tore apart a defective draft award line by line. If you draft awards, appear before tribunals, or advise clients who need those awards enforced - this episode is for you.

Interim Measures: Getting the Order Is Not the Hard Part

In this Season 1 finale, Augusta Shahin breaks down interim measures in arbitration and explains why success is not just about getting the order, but about whether the order arrives in time, can be enforced, and actually changes the risk. With a practical Nigeria-based lens, this episode looks at tribunal relief, court support, emergency arbitration, enforcement, and the strategic gaps that can make urgent relief ineffective. Relevant for arbitrators, mediators, counsel, in-house teams, and government lawyers.

BITs in Plain Terms: What They Cover and What They Don’t

In this episode of The Dispute Brief, Augusta Shahin breaks down bilateral investment treaties, or BITs, in clear practical terms. She explains what BITs actually protect, what they do not protect, and why that matters for arbitrators, mediators, in-house counsel, government lawyers, policy actors, and commercial lawyers working around cross-border investment and regulated sectors. The episode looks at the difference between contract rights and treaty rights, the core protections often found in BITs, and how disputes in energy, infrastructure, licensing, tax, foreign exchange, stabilization, and regulatory change can move from ordinary commercial disagreement into treaty territory. If you work around dispute risk, public regulation, or investment-facing projects, this episode gives you a sharper way to think about where commercial issues end and treaty exposure begins.

Online Dispute Resolution: What Works for Nigeria

Most online dispute resolution efforts stumble because they neglect one critical factor: process design. In Nigeria, where the law is supportive but practice still lags, simply moving hearings online can turn efficiency into chaos and risk undermining justice. Augusta Shahin breaks down precisely what makes online dispute resolution work in Nigeria and what sinks it. You'll discover how legal frameworks support remote arbitration and mediation but fall short without the right structure. She reveals the real challenge isn’t the law; it's creating a process that ensures fairness, security, and credibility in a digital environment. We break down: * The legal nuances of online proceedings under Nigeria’s Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 * Practical limits of online hearings: connectivity, witness control, cybersecurity * The key functions that succeed online: case management, mediations, electronic filings * Critical pitfalls like credibility issues in witness evidence and infrastructure gaps * A proven checklist for designing effective online dispute resolution processes, from platform protocols to hybrid hearings Why does this matter? Because ignoring these nuances risks turning online arbitration into a legal minefield. Yet, with proper structure, Nigeria can harness the true potential of digital dispute resolution; saving time, costs, and opening cross-border opportunities. Perfect for dispute resolution professionals, legal practitioners, and arbitrators aiming to future-proof their practices. If you want to turn online disputes into real outcomes, this episode makes the case that success hinges on process, not just technology. Let Augusta guide you through building resilient, fair, and efficient online arbitration in Nigeria and beyond.

Drafting Awards That Survive Challenge

A compelling arbitral award isn't just about winning on the merits, it's about crafting a decision that can stand up to legal challenges long after the hearing ends. But what makes some awards resilient while others falter under scrutiny? In this episode of The Dispute Brief, Augusta Shahin unveils the secrets behind drafting awards that are built to withstand setting aside motions and enforcement battles in Nigeria’s courts. She breaks down the critical elements of durable awards; jurisdiction, fairness, and reasoning, and explains how overlooking these can open the door to delays, costs, and ultimately, invalidation. You'll discover: * Why clear jurisdictional grounds and proper tribunal constitution are non-negotiable for survival * How procedural fairness and structured analysis serve as a shield against challenge * The importance of transparent reasoning and specific reliefs to enforceability * Common pitfalls like addressing issues beyond the scope or lacking clarity on damages and costs This episode isn’t just theoretical, Augusta shares practical insights and a straightforward checklist for drafting awards that validate your arbitration strategy. Enforceability and challenge-resistance depend on meticulous record-keeping, disciplined structure, and clear articulation; skills every arbitrator and legal practitioner must master. If you’re involved in arbitration or enforcement in Nigeria, mastering these principles can mean the difference between a victorious award and a costly defeat. Listen now to elevate your arbitration practice with strategies proven to help your awards survive the toughest legal tests. Augusta Shahin is an arbitration and mediation specialist focused on Nigerian dispute resolution, bringing practical, real-world insights to complex legal questions. This episode is essential for arbitrators, lawyers, and corporate counsel seeking to strengthen their awards from the outset because a decision that can withstand challenge is a decision worth making. Why settle for winning the case if your award can’t survive in court? Hit play and learn how to craft resilient arbitral awards that stand the test of time and challenge.