Africa rallied to prioritise commercial dispute resolution

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Uganda’s Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo has called on African judiciaries to accelerate the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to strengthen trade, investment, and justice across the continent.

Speaking at the First Africa Continental Commercial Courts Summit held at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Friday (May 23), Owiny-Dollo, who also chairs the Africa Chief Justices ADR Forum, challenged legal institutions to confront systemic inefficiencies that continue to frustrate commercial justice.

“Delayed education, geographical barriers, socioeconomic underdevelopment, poverty, ignorance, and corruption continue to deny our people timely access to justice,” he said.

“Yet we can do more.”

The summit was held under the theme 'Effective Commercial Disputes Resolution for Africa.

Judges attending the First Africa Continent Commercial Courts Summit at Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo on Friday, May 23, 2025. (PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME)

It brought together top judicial leaders from across the continent and beyond, including justices from the US, Canada, and the UK, to chart a path for harmonising and modernising commercial dispute resolution systems in Africa.

A first in Africa, the event focused on commercial litigation, arbitration, and mediation, highlighting Africa’s leadership in ADR.

It was hosted by the Uganda Judiciary in partnership with the African Chief Justices' Alternative Dispute Resolution Forum (ACJAF) and the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC), supported by Pepperdine University.

Some of the judges from various African Countries attending the First Africa Continent Commercial Courts Summit at Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo on Friday, May 23, 2025. (PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME)

'Modern history resolution'

Owiny-Dollo said resolving commercial disputes quickly and efficiently is not merely a legal priority, but a catalyst for economic transformation.

“The faster we resolve these issues, the more we attract local authorities and citizens, and the more we promote investment,” he said.

“This summit is a valuable tool in addressing current dispute resolution mechanisms and building Africa’s most valuable legal landmarks.”

In comparing systems, the Ugandan CJ pointed to the US, where over 95 per cent of commercial disputes are resolved through negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, which he termed “modern history resolution”.

“Africa must learn from such models. We cannot afford to cling to outdated systems while our people’s businesses and lives hang in the balance,” he said.

Owiny-Dollo further praised Uganda’s efforts in promoting ADR through initiatives such as the "Aging Arts Week" held in August 2012, where users were educated on the value of alternative resolution paths.

“Today, more lawyers in Uganda are beginning to understand ADR as an indispensable tool for justice delivery."

Lord John Thomas of the UK and Prof. Danny Ford, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff in the US judiciary, were among the international figures recognised for their support towards Africa’s legal development.

Judicial leaders were urged to find time to meet again to ensure the resolutions and momentum from the summit are not lost.

“Every time we come together, we are always a step better than before. Let this summit be the beginning of a continental shift towards more efficient, inclusive and responsive commercial justice," said Owiny-Dollo.

(PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME)

Collaboration

Justice Robin Knowles, Judge of the Commercial Court of England and Wales, underscored the value of collaboration across jurisdictions.

“We are looking for an exchange of ideas and best practice, which can only be achieved if you pull together a number of jurisdictions,” he said.

Knowles praised Uganda for playing host to more than 120 jurisdictions from across the continent, calling it a significant step towards regional integration and legal cooperation.

“The judges will go back able to solve disputes in their communities. And the better the commercial disputes are resolved, the more the employment improves, and we shall see improvement in the overall legal system."

(L-R) Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, Chief Justice of Uganda, Norbert Mao, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Sir Geoffrey Vos MR, Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice, England & Wales and Mr Justice Robin Knowles of the Commercial Court of England & Wales interact. This was during the First Africa Continent Commercial Courts Summit at Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo on Friday, May 23, 2025. (PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME)

Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice for England and Wales, said Africa must take centre stage in shaping the future of commercial dispute resolution.

Vos, who is also a member of the international steering group of the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC), explained that users of commercial courts will be better served if best practice is shared between the courts of many jurisdictions, a principle that underpins SIFoCC’s international cooperation efforts.

"The discussions at this summit are unique in their African focus. We will not be talking about the perspective of Europe, or America, or Asia,” he said.

“There are different problems — and there's an approach to solving those problems here in Africa.”

The ACJAF was formed in March 2024 during the first Africa ADR Summit in Kampala, with 16 chief justices pledging to promote ADR integration and judicial reforms across Africa.

SIFoCC is a global body uniting commercial courts in 57 jurisdictions, supporting Uganda’s growing role in judicial reform and dispute resolution.