Ciarb's Roebuck Lecture 2024 topic was 'Access to Arbitral Justice for Local Communities: Mitigating the cost of corruption and providing access to justice for local communities', delivered by Professor Emilia Onyema PhD FCIArb.
This year’s Roebuck Lecture focused on those who are most impacted by corruption and discuss why arbitration and national courts should be made available to victims (and activists) as tools of access to and the delivery of justice.
Corruption is a persistent, global challenge. It is present in all countries, no matter the income level or development status, and it is widespread in both the public and private sector. Corruption directly and indirectly impacts all citizens, and it often disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable people in society. For the public at large, the wider impacts of corruption can include lower trust and confidence in public authorities and institutions, reduced job opportunities, lack of private and foreign investment, inequality, and stifled economic growth and development. For local communities, the consequences are direct and stark, as access to basic services, such as healthcare, education, and justice, all suffer in the wake of corruption.
International economic law provides some tools for us to address corruption. For governments, investors, and the business community, treaties and contracts can provide a framework to hold wrong-doers accountable. These agreements provide dispute settlement mechanisms, such as arbitration, mediation, or litigation, and offer potential avenues for damages and compensation arising out of corrupt transactions. But what about local communities, who are also victims? How can they seek redress for the high costs of corruption? To date, there are few actionable avenues for citizens to pursue such remedies.
You can read the recording's transcript here: www.ciarb.org/media/wc1bj3ly/...