Host
AFSA was established 30 years ago as a neutral, non-governmental, dispute resolution centre.By 2023 AFSA had been independently rated by SOAS, University of London, as the top arbitration centre in Africa.AFSA maintains specialized separate rules, procedures and administrative expertise for the resolution of international, regional and domestic disputes.The AFSA domestic division administers 300 – 400 business disputes each year through its headquarters in Sandton and its branches in Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Limpopo, the Garden Route and the Eastern Cape.Regionally, the AFSA SADC Division has standardized and harmonized arbitration practice among 12 member states from SADC, representing a partnership association larger in both territory and population than the USA.The AFSA International Division applies a light touch administration to international disputes under the aegis of its Secretary-General and case handlers.Court members who oversee its work are drawn from amongst the leading practitioners in international arbitration working with panels of eminent international practitioners.
AFSA provides comprehensive training in dispute resolution in partnership with the University of Pretoria.
AFSA is a founding member of CAJAC (the China-Africa Joint Arbitration Centre) and represents South Africa in the creation of a BRICS arbitral mechanism.
AFSA is a non-profit and self-funding institution numbering leading local and international attorney and accounting firms, bars and other stakeholders amongst its founding members.
Co-hosts
Advocates for Transformation (AFT) is a dynamic collective of dedicated legal advocates who are leading the charge in reshaping South Africa’s legal sector. With a passion for justice, equality, and inclusivity, AFT is committed to breaking down barriers, eradicating bias, and promoting equitable access to legal resources for all. Our mission is to transform the legal landscape, fostering a profession that truly represents the diverse tapestry of South African society. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, AFT is at the forefront of change and championing a more inclusive and just legal system for our nationThrough strategic advocacy, education, and collaboration, we strive to: Advance Equity, Challenge Discrimination, Empower Underrepresented Voices, Foster Collaboration, Educate and Advocate and Uphold Integrity. Together, we endeavour to reshape the legal landscape of South Africa, ensuring that the law serves as a pillar of justice, equality, and social progress for all its citizens
With over 650 lawyers, Bowmans delivers integrated legal services to clients throughout Africa from nine offices in six countries. Bowmans’ advice uniquely blends expertise in the law, knowledge of local markets and an understanding of clients’ businesses.
Clients include corporates, multinationals, funds and financial institutions as well as state-owned enterprises and governments.
The firm’s dispute resolution experts assist across all methods of resolving conflicts in Africa. These include litigation and alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration.
Whether in a courtroom, arbitration/ tribunal hearing or other dispute resolution forum, the team is proactive in resolving disputes in the best interest of its clients, emphasising the need to be efficient and expedient in the chosen course of action.
Many of the firm’s lawyers are members of relevant arbitration associations and have experience in both domestic and international arbitrations.
The China-Africa Joint Arbitration Centre (CAJAC) was created to resolve disputes arising in the course of trade and investment between Chinese and African business entities. The need for such an institution was identified by the inter-governmental Forum On China-Africa Co-Operation (FOCAC) and CAJAC was created to address that need. CAJAC is a unique partnership. Each of the six partners provides a shared service utilising the same specially crafted rules, panels and procedures enabling disputants to select any of its centres to administer the resolution of a particular dispute. The CAJAC partners are the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA), the Shanghai International Arbitration Centre (SHIAC), the Beijing International Arbitration Centre (BIAC), the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA), the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration Centre (NCIA) and the Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa (OHADA). CAJAC centres are now located in Johannesburg, Nairobi, Cameroon, Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. The CAJAC Constitution provides for a Guiding Committee to lead partnership activity. The chairmanship of the Guiding Committee rotates annually and AFSA holds the chairmanship for the current year.
At Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) we believe the right partnership can lead to great things. The partnerships we cherish and value most are those we have forged through time and experience with our clients and, of course, our people. We are a full service corporate and commercial law firm and provide experienced support wherever in the world you conduct business.
We offer an authentic knowledge-based and cost-effective service for clients looking to do business in Africa. Our Africa practice brings together the resources and expertise of leading business law firms across the continent. With first hand, in-depth experience, our Africa lawyers offer sector-specific insights and knowledge of regulatory nuances to provide an exceptional integrated service. Whatever the scope of your transaction, we offer a depth of skills and experience to support your day-to-day business needs and long-term strategies. Our structure suits many clients that operate on a national, African, and global basis. We are able to project manage complex cross-border activity and offer a seamless experience through a single point of contact with a trusted CDH adviser who understands your business and strategic objectives.
The Johannesburg Society of Advocates (JSA) is South Africa’s largest Bar and one of Africa’s leading centres of legal excellence. For decades, it has cultivated an association of specialist advocates renowned for their intellectual ability, ethical integrity, and forensic skill.
Its members are at the forefront of complex commercial dispute resolution, with particular strength in arbitration across sectors such as construction, mining, energy, and finance. Drawing on deep expertise and a culture of disciplined preparation, the JSA continues to play a pivotal role in both domestic and international arbitrations.
Committed to the advancement of the profession, the Society fosters mentorship, transformation, and continuous development, ensuring that its members remain equipped to meet the evolving demands of modern dispute resolution. In doing so, the JSA reinforces its position as a trusted forum for specialist advocacy and arbitration excellence in Africa.
Founded in 2019 and recognized as a mission-led company, Jus Mundi is a pioneer in the legal technology industry dedicated to powering global justice through artificial intelligence. Headquartered in Paris, with additional offices in New York, London, and Singapore, Jus Mundi serves over 150,000 users from law firms, multinational corporations, governmental bodies, and academic institutions in more than 90 countries. Through its proprietary AI technology, Jus Mundi provides global legal intelligence, data-driven arbitration professional selection, and business development services.
Webber Wentzel established a dedicated international arbitration practice over 15 years ago. With a strong focus on Africa, the team has represented multinational corporations, sovereign states, international organisations, and investors in both commercial and investor-state arbitrations across a wide range of jurisdictions.
The team has experience under the rules of most major arbitral institutions and regularly represents clients in ad hoc arbitrations, including under the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Arbitration Rules.
The firm is represented across key global and regional arbitration bodies, including the ICC International Court of Arbitration, the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR, the ICC Nominations Committee, AFRICA ADR and AFSA (including its Board of Directors, Management Committee for International Arbitration, and Young AFSA).
Our international arbitration practice is the only South African firm that is ranked in the GAR 100 and is consistently recognised in Band 1 for Dispute Resolution by Chambers Global and Legal 500. Our partners are recognised as leaders in international arbitration by Chambers Global, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal Arbitration (Lexology).