Arbitration 101: Fundamentals of Binding Dispute Resolution

Program Description

Arbitration 101 introduces the fundamental principles that anyone involved in the field of arbitration should understand. This 6-8 hour course is intended for professionals seeking a clear, practical understanding of how arbitration works as a dispute-resolution mechanism and how it differs from litigation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

This course is designed to demystify the arbitration process, its legal foundations, and the roles of participants—whether as arbitrators, counsel, or parties to arbitration.

Audience

This course will be of value to aspiring or newly appointed arbitrators, lawyers and in-house counsel involved in dispute resolution, and professionals working in regulated industries or commercial sectors where arbitration is common. It will also appeal to individuals who wish to gain a clearer understanding of the arbitration process, its governing legal principles, and the role arbitration plays in achieving fair and binding resolutions to disputes.

The course will be offered over two three-hour sessions, and will be LSO accredited.

Delivery will be online, with opportunities for interaction, discussion, and practical examples.

Date

Thursday, April 16 & Thursday, April 23 from 3:00–6:00 p.m. ET

Learning Objectives

Legal Framework

A foundational understanding of the legal framework and procedural principles governing arbitration

Responsibilities of arbitrators

Insight into the respective roles and responsibilities of arbitrators, counsel, and parties

Awareness of the ethics

Awareness of the ethical and practical considerations that underpin fair and binding decision-making

Landscape of dispute resolution

Context for how arbitration fits within the broader landscape of dispute resolution

Fees

The course will be offered at a rate of $495.00, with discounts available to uOttawa Faculty of Law alumni.

Format and Delivery

Date: April 16 & 23, 2026

Location: Online

Language of instruction: English

Anthony Daimsis

Anthony Daimsis is a professor at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law and teaches contract law, international arbitration, and international sales law. He is Director of the joint civil law / common law program and has coached the Ottawa Vis team since 2003. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the current Chair of the Canadian branch. He has acted as sole arbitrator, party-appointed arbitrator, expert witness, and counsel in arbitrations. He has appeared before courts in matters related to arbitration, contract law, and conflicts of law (PIL), including before Canada's Supreme Court. He is an associate door tenant at Littleton Chambers (London, UK) and a member of its international arbitration group. He is the Canadian rapporteur to UNCITRAL for the CISG and cases Editor for the Canadian Journal of Commercial Arbitration.

Interested?

For questions about this course, email [email protected]

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Future Directions

This course serves as the foundation for a potential short-course series in arbitration. Follow-up offerings may include advanced topics such as award writing, managing arbitral hearings, and procedural challenges in arbitration.