Is there an interplay between ego and apology, which are two sides of a coin when it comes to dispute resolution? I and Esther Ebigbo, a First Class graduate of psychology from the University of Nigeria, who works with persons with disabilities; an inspirational singer, provided a comprehensive insight into the above-stated question. We also dealt with 'whether people can have a subject matter bias'? The reason for this question predicates the 5th Episode of EVA where we discussed that some lawyers are yet to embrace ADR. 

We concluded that these psychological, emotional dynamics and other factors discussed should be borne in mind by potential users when making a choice.

In episode 5 of Expert Views on ADR (EVA) Podcast, two questions were raised, the first one was 'what prompted the birth of the ESMDC' and the second question was, 'what could influence the selection of an ADR option'? 

I had the opportunity to discuss these questions with Mr Ikechukwu Onuoma Esq (Notary Public), the Managing Partner of Obra Legal; a lawyer with over 14 years experience in Litigation, Domestic and International Arbitration and Negotiation. He is also a Charted Mediator who has mediated over 15 cases at the Enugu State Multi-Door courthouse since the inception of ESMDC in 2018 and a member of the Editorial Board of the Enugu State Multi-Door Court House Journal. 

In this episode of Expert Views on ADR (EVA), I and Ms.Chika Maduakolam, a PhD Candidate in Socio-legal studies at York University, Toronto; a lawyer with over ten (10) years experience in civil litigation and dispute resolution presents a general overview of arbitration and why potential users should view it as a preferred alternative to litigation.

In this third episode of Expert Views on ADR Podcast, I and Mr John Osegi who is a Mediator at the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (LMDC) and a practising lawyer in Nigeria, critically analysed the type of matters that are amenable to ADR; with the hope of enlightening potential users and litigants on the type of matters that can be sent to ADR. Hitherto we discovered that some matters are best handled under Mediation, which is part of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). 

Episode 2 of Expert views on ADR revealed some of the factors that contributed to the recent use of ADR or the rise of ADR in various jurisdictions- which was as a result of delay and cost of litigation. Thus these factors provided an avenue for litigants to move towards ADR.

Against this backdrop, Mr Steve Adikaibe, a practising lawyer in Nigeria, points out the advantages or benefits of ADR with a clear intention of educating potential users.

Questions have been asked whether there is any difference between the present ADR and the traditional method of settling a dispute in Africa (TAMSD)? In a bid to answer this question I  have invited Mr Kenneth Josiah, a renowned legal practitioner in Nigeria to share his view or throw more light on the topic in this first episode.