PCA Agreement with South Africa

The PCA has now established a facility in South Africa to facilitate dispute resolution on the African continent. The agreement ensures that PCA administered proceedings conducted in South Africa will benefit from conditions similar to those provided for under the PCA’s agreement with the Dutch government. According to a number of dispute resolution specialists in the region, this is a welcome development: Greg Nott, counsel at LeBoeuf Lamb Green & MacRae LLP in Johannesburg believes this is important for the continent both logistically and symbolically. Michael Kuper SC, chairman of the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa, says Africa is lacking the presence of international arbitral institutions: "The agreement will bring the Permanent Court of Arbitration into the immediate reach of African business and investment communities which sorely need an effective dispute resolution mechanism". More information on the agreement may be found on the official website of the South African Department of Foreign Affairs.