Not every commercial disagreement belongs in court. Arbitration and mediation allow Kenyan businesses to resolve conflicts confidentially, on their own timetable, and, for cross-border contracts, with awards enforceable in more than 170 New York Convention states. Our advocates represent clients in proceedings at the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA), the Kenya International Arbitration Centre (KIAC), and in ad-hoc UNCITRAL arbitrations.
What our dispute resolution practice covers
- Representation in domestic and international arbitration (NCIA, KIAC, ICC, UNCITRAL rules)
- Private commercial mediation, including mediator selection, preparation, negotiation strategy, and settlement drafting
- Drafting and review of arbitration and escalation clauses at the contract stage
- Setting aside and enforcement of arbitral awards in the High Court of Kenya
- Interim relief applications in support of arbitration
- Negotiated settlement of commercial disputes
Which law governs arbitration in Kenya?
Arbitration in Kenya is governed by the Arbitration Act 1995 (as amended), which is modelled on the UNCITRAL Model Law. Private mediation proceeds by agreement: the parties choose the mediator, scope, timetable, confidentiality terms, and process. The NCIA Act 2013 established the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration as a Kenyan institutional forum.
Should our contract include an arbitration clause?
That depends on your business relationships and risk profile. Arbitration offers confidentiality, speed relative to trial litigation, and easy cross-border enforcement; the court system retains advantages for interim relief and precedent-sensitive disputes. We advise on forum choice and draft clauses that specify the seat, rules, number of arbitrators, and appointing authority, the details that determine how smoothly a dispute is later resolved.
Discuss your dispute with a Nairobi arbitration advocate
Book a confidential consultation, we will review your contract, explain the applicable dispute-resolution route, and outline the process, timelines, and costs before you commit.
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