Arbitration Training
Build your expertise and elevate your practice
Whether you're looking to deepen your arbitration knowledge or take your first steps into the field, our comprehensive training provides the skills and insights you need to succeed.
Relevant Programmes and Events
Arbitration
Skills Intensive
Whether you're an aspiring arbitrator, a seasoned practitioner or any other party involved in arbitration, the AMINZ Arbitration Skills Intensive programme is a fantastic way to gain the skills and knowledge you’re after.
The next course date is confirmed for Thursday 8 – Saturday 10 May 2025 in Auckland. Registrations are open now, scroll down to learn more about the programme.
Arbitration
Day
A one-stop shop for all things arbitration, this full-day programme is designed to enhance your practice, expand your skill set and build your network.
Designed to enhance your practice, expand your skillset, and build your network, this will is a day not to be missed.
Arbitration Day is being held Friday 13 June 2025 in Auckland and is accessible in person or online. Register below!
Arbitration Fellowship by Examination
A comprehensive programme that ensures fellows possess advanced knowledge in arbitration. This rigorous programme grants significant recognition to fellows, instilling public confidence in their competence to act as an Arbitrator at the highest level.
The assessment comprises a comprehensive test of academic and practical skills.
The next Fellowship Arbitration will take place in 2026.
Arbitration Skills Intensive
Elevate your arbitration game?
Whether you're a budding arbitrator hungry for knowledge or a seasoned pro looking to sharpen your skills, the AMINZ Arbitration Skills Intensive programme is your ticket to unlocking a world of expertise and mastery.
Our programme isn't just about theory. Be prepared for hands-on learning with practical exercises and dynamic writing workshops, where you'll put your newfound knowledge to the test.
If you're looking to build your arbitration skills in a practical and engaging setting, join us at the AMINZ Arbitration Skills Intensive programme.
2025 Registrations are now open!
Dates: Thursday 8 May – Saturday 10 May
Location: Auckland
Venue: Residium, 165 The Strand, Parnell, Auckland 1010
CPD: 6 points
Member pricing:
Early bird*: $2,070 inc GST
Standard: $2,277 inc GST
Non-Member pricing:
Early bird*: $2,484 inc GST
Standard $2,734.7 inc GST
What does the programme cover?
Legal Framework and Industry Overview: An in-depth exploration of the legal context and statutory framework governing arbitration, along with a comprehensive overview of the arbitration industry.
Tribunal Responsibilities: An examination of the obligations of the tribunal, with a focus on jurisdictional issues and the sources of an arbitrator's authority.
Initiating Arbitration: A detailed look at the commencement of arbitration proceedings, including discussions on interim measures and the role of emergency arbitrators.
Arbitrator Selection and Removal: Examine the procedures involved in appointing and, if necessary, removing arbitrators or tribunal members.
Conducting Arbitration Hearings: Practical insights into the effective management and conduct of arbitration hearings, including procedural matters and best practices.
Arbitration Awards: Learn the essential components and requirements for crafting arbitration awards that withstand scrutiny.
Court Involvement in Arbitration: An exploration of the role and powers of courts in the arbitration process, shedding light on the interplay between arbitration and the judicial system.
Introduction to International Arbitration: An introduction to the complexities and nuances of international arbitration, offering a global perspective.
Privacy and Confidentiality: Discover crucial principles surrounding privacy and confidentiality in arbitration, ensuring a solid understanding of these vital aspects.
Practical Exercises and Writing Workshops: Engage in hands-on experience and workshops to reinforce theoretical knowledge and enhance practical skills.
Why Attendees Recommend This Course
“The Arbitration Skills Intensive is an interactive, stimulating and relevant course. The topics are extensive but are essential to the profession and they were well explained and thought-provoking”
- ArbSI Attendee
Learn from the best
Co-directed by Nicole Smith FAMINZ (Arb) and Ben Vanderkolk FAMINZ (Arb), the Arbitration Skills Intensive brings together some of New Zealand's top practitioners in arbitration.
Across three intensive days, you will undertake a range of practical and theoretical workshops that will allow you to engage in an arbitral process confidently and effectively. Attendees not only get to hear from specialists but also network with some of the best in the industry.
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Nicole Smith
Course co-director
About: Nicole Smith is a specialist in arbitration and an experienced dispute resolution lawyer. A former President of AMINZ, she sits as an arbitrator and adjudicator on domestic and international disputes and chairs the Investigating Panel of the NZ Registered Architects Board.
Nicole is a Fellow of AMINZ and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and is based in Tauranga, practicing as a Barrister sole from Mauao Chambers.
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Ben Vanderkolk
Course co-director
About: With over three decades of litigation, prosecution and dispute resolution experience, Ben is regarded by his peers as highly skilled, impartial and independent.
Ben has served in public sector governance for over 15 years and continues to play an active role in arbitration. Ben believes arbitration is a preferred choice of dispute resolution. It offers pace, flexibility, creativity and ownership to parties in dispute and their advisers.
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Dr Anna Kirk
Session: A look at the arbitration industry and The Award
About: Anna is a commercial arbitrator, adjudicator and barrister, specialising in international arbitration and public international law. Anna is New Zealand's member on the ICC International Court of Arbitration (2021-2024). Anna is also on the Council of the Arbitrator's and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ).
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Bill Gambrill
Session: The role and powers of the Court inarbitration
About: Bill is a special counsel at Martelli McKegg. Bill has been in practice since 1992, having worked in firms in New Zealand, London and Dubai.
Bill’s practice has been in relation to commercial disputes arising from insolvency, banking and finance, equitable claims, breaches of duty, conflict of laws and cross-border disputes.
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Catherine Green
Session: Appointment and removal of the arbitrator
About: Operating her own private practice, Catherine has worked as an arbitrator, adjudicator, and mediator in both commercial and construction disputes since 2016. Catherine serves as a Director of The ADR Centre, overseeing the professional administration of an array of commercial, building and construction, and family and relationship disputes.
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Janine Stewart
Session: Privacy and Confidentiality
About: Janine is a specialist construction, property, and projects disputes lawyer. A sought-after industry commentator and adviser, she is passionate about shaping the construction industry and legal landscape in New Zealand.
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Jeremy Johnson
Session: Legal context and statutory framework
About: Jeremy is one of New Zealand’s leading litigation and dispute resolution barristers with particular expertise in the fields of private wealth, relationship property, equity and trust and commercial law. Jeremy works on cases across New Zealand and in the wider Asia-Pacific Region.
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Lauren Lindsay
Session: Obligations of the Tribunal
About: Lauren has a wide-ranging disputes practice acting as counsel in complex commercial litigation and international arbitration. Lauren is comfortable and experienced in appearing as lead or junior counsel in any dispute resolution forum, be it in court, in arbitration or in mediation, both domestically and internationally.
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Mark Colthart
Session: Commencement of arbitration; interim measures and emergency arbitrators
About: Mark is a Barrister and Arbitrator specialising in commercial litigation and arbitration, property disputes, and construction law.
Mark is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading construction and property lawyers.
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Royden Hindle
Session: A look at the arbitration industry and Getting practical
About: Royden Hindle is an experienced commercial arbitrator, construction adjudicator and mediator with over 40 years' practice experience.
Schedule
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10:00 am | Start
Outline of the Intensive
Legal context and statutory framework presented by Jeremy Johnson
The anatomy of a basic arbitration
12:30 - 1:30 pm | Lunch
Appointment and removal of the arbitrator presented by Catherine Green
Obligations of the Tribunal
3:30 - 4:00 pm | Aftternoon Break
A look at the arbitration industry
5:15 pm | End of day
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9:00 am | Start
Commencement of arbitration; interim measures and emergency arbitrators
International arbitration
11:00 - 11:30 am | Morning Break
Privacy and confidentiatlity
12:30 - 1:30 pm | Lunch
The role and powers of the Court in arbitration
2:30 - 3:00 pm | Afternoon Break
Getting Practical
6:00 pm | End of day
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9:30 am | Start
Workshops
1:00 - 2:00 pm | Lunch
Award Writing
4:00 pm | End of day
Location & Venue
The AMINZ Arbitration Skills Intensive will take place in Auckland at Residium.
Ground Floor, 165 The Strand, Parnell, Auckland 1010.
The venue is a bit different from traditional conference spaces: Residium is an architectural and interior showroom. The Residium team will direct you to the conference room.
Parking & Transport
Parking is available nearby, with a mix of paid and time-restricted street parking in the area. We recommend checking local parking options in advance.
Detailed parking information will be available upon registering.
Catering
To keep you refreshed and energised throughout the course, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea will be provided each day.
If you have any dietary requirements, please ensure these are noted in your registration.