The Bahamas Branch of The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) recently announced the appointment of jurist and legal scholar Dame Joan Augusta Sawyer as its official patron.

The former chief justice and president of The Bahamas Court of Appeal was unanimously approved by all eleven trustees of CIArb to become The Bahamas’ first branch patron.

For almost a century CIArb has provided prestigious qualifications demonstrating excellence in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to professionals around the globe.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dame Joan Sawyer as our first patron,” said Bertha Cooper-Rousseau, chairperson of The Bahamas Branch of CIArb.

“Dame Sawyer is a highly respected member of the legal fraternity here in The Bahamas and we are honored to have her serve in this capacity. With her appointment, the Bahamas branch now has an ambassador who can champion the cause of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution and its overall benefits to the legal system.”

Dame Sawyer is among several high-ranking legal professionals throughout the world serving as patrons to CIArb branches.

“To become a reputable and sophisticated international arbitration centre, The Bahamas must demonstrate that it has a pool of internationally recognized accredited arbitrators and mediators,” continued Cooper-Rousseau.

“The Bahamas branch has therefore established a strategic and intensive training agenda that will include accelerated courses leading to fellowship. The courses will commence in September and are open to various professions including legal, accounting, financial services, engineering, medical and other disciplines.”

The branch has planned a series of meet and greets during the summer months for key stakeholders and professional associations to meet the new patron and ask questions on CIArb training and education pathways.