THE Government of Guyana, through the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs, will kick off the “International Arbitration in Practice” workshop on August 26, 2024.
This workshop, running until August 29, 2024, is part of an ongoing effort to bolster the legal expertise of Guyanese professionals in the field of international arbitration, particularly in view of the new Arbitration Act, 2024. The workshop is the second, more advanced phase of a capacity-building programme initiated in 2023.

This initiative is a collaborative effort involving the International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP) and supported by the ROLE UK Programme and UKAid.
It aims to further enhance the skills and knowledge of Guyanese lawyers, enabling them to effectively interpret, implement, and apply the new arbitration law in resolving disputes, especially those involving international parties.

Over the four-day workshop, 35 participants from key institutions across Guyana will engage in practical sessions designed to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the Arbitration Act, 2024. These participants come from various government ministries and agencies, including the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, the Ministry of Housing, the Maritime Administration Department, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the Arbitration Unit, and the Bar Association.

Five volunteers from ISLP, all recognised experts in international arbitration, from the international Law Firms of Winston & Strawn and Chaffetz Lindsay, will lead the in-person sessions. This training will prepare state counsel and legal professionals to interpret, implement and apply the law in the resolution of disputes, thereby ensuring that Guyana remains an attractive and secure destination for foreign investment.

It will also promote international arbitration by reinforcing confidence in Guyana’s legal system and upholding the rule of law with due adherence to the public policy of Guyana.
This training has received financial and technical support from the Advocates for International Development’s Rule of Law Expertise UK (ROLE UK) Programme and UKAid.