Arbitration

lucygoosy

Hi I am just wondering could someone tell me the steps to get into arbitration? Im currently studying a B.A in legal science and intend to do a L.L.B after. I want to join the Guards but if I dont get them or if my circumstances change I would be interested in arbitration. I have a good knowledge of Criminal law and have a diploma in criminology and a certificate in forensic psychology but I cant see myself ending up as a barrister or solicitor!

dats_right

Realistically the only way into arbitration is with a professional legal qualification or perhaps with a specialised technical background such as an engineer or surveyor maybe, other than that you can do the courses alright and even get the qualification as an arbitrator but in reality you will not be employable in this area. Besides, have you really thought about this? Because arbitration has absolutely zero relevance to the criminal justice system.

Afterall, you have modest enough career ambition and eventhough there may well be many more people applying for the force in these recessionary times, but it's still not exactly the hardest thing to get into and with a law degree behind you, I would have certainly thought that you would be over qualified if anything.

nuac

I agree with Dats Right. All the arbitrators I have been involved with are already established fully qualified and experienced professionals in e.g. law, architecture, quantity surveying etc who have taken an interest in arbitration, and usually done done some of the courses available.

Solicitors in selecting an arbitrator are very careful about it. Some arbitrators have dealt very well and efficiently with cases. Sadly not all. Horses for courses etc etc.

I think in a small economy such as Ireland you would find it most difficult to build a career as an arbitrator without already establishing some reputation in one of the above or associated professions.

_JOE_

Just to add to the previous two posters; arbitration's very expensive to get into. The diploma course which i did in UCD set me back the guts of 7,000 and that was including an exemption for having done the BCL with them. On top of that, you would probably go on to subscribe to the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Ireland which is practically another 1,500. Thus, it's well worth considering your options in full before forking out that kind of money.
As Nuac has already stated, arbitrators are chosen because of their particular skill in that area, be it engineering or otherwise and solicitors would be very reluctant (as would their clients) to engage with someone without this specialist knowledge.
One of the few areas where specific skill would not be demanded would be the PRTB, and even saying that, the majority of the adjudicators would probably have a plethora of experience in the area.

Might i suggest mediation? It would be closer to the criminal sphere of things as opposed to arbitration, which is commercially dominant?

lucygoosy

Might i suggest mediation? It would be closer to the criminal sphere of things as opposed to arbitration, which is commercially dominant?[/QUOTE]

Yes I would possibly be interested in Mediation I just am not sure what my options are after I do the L.L.B and I honestly cant see myself becoming a solicitor so if I dont get into the Guards Im kinda stuck!!!

_JOE_

lucygoosy wrote: »

Might i suggest mediation? It would be closer to the criminal sphere of things as opposed to arbitration, which is commercially dominant?

Yes I would possibly be interested in Mediation I just am not sure what my options are after I do the L.L.B and I honestly cant see myself becoming a solicitor so if I dont get into the Guards Im kinda stuck!!![/QUOTE]

All the best. Make the Gardaí your number one priority if that's what you really want instead of diverting your attention elsewhere. Don't underestimate yourself ; if you really want something and work towards it, there should be no reason why you shouldn't succeed...