Registration is now open for the Columbia University Arbitration Certificate: Mastering Arbitration from Appointment to Award, an intensive four-day training programme aimed at current arbitrators and experienced legal practitioners preparing to take on their first arbitral appointments.
The programme will be held from 29 October to 1 November 2026 at the premises of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Court and the International Arbitration Centre (IAC) in Astana, Kazakhstan. Participation is free of charge, but places are limited to 30 participants, and admission will be determined through a selection process.
A Case-Based Approach to Arbitral Practice
Rather than relying on lectures alone, the programme is structured around a single continuous arbitration case that participants follow from the moment of appointment through to the final award. Over the four days, participants will make procedural decisions, manage evidence and hearings, deliberate as a tribunal and, finally, draft a reasoned arbitral award.
This simulation-based format is designed to replicate the practical demands placed on arbitrators at each stage of proceedings, giving participants direct experience of the decisions and judgment calls that define effective tribunal work. Those who complete the programme will be awarded a Columbia University Certificate.
Organisers and Faculty
The course is a collaborative initiative delivered by the IAC, the Turkic Arbitration Association (TAA), the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), the Center for International Commercial and Investment Arbitration (CICIA) at Columbia Law School, and Dr Kabir Duggal, a recognised international arbitration practitioner and academic.
The programme will be conducted in English, with simultaneous translation into Russian, reflecting its regional reach across Central Asia and the wider Turkic and post-Soviet legal community.
Eligibility and Requirements
Applicants must be current arbitrators or experienced legal practitioners preparing for their first arbitral appointments. Selected candidates will be expected to:
- Attend all four in-person training days in full
- Complete a required pre-course virtual component
- Participate actively in all simulations and practical exercises
- Complete the final award-writing exercise
Applications will be reviewed by the organisers, and successful candidates will be contacted separately.
Key Details
Dates: 29 October to 1 November 2026
Venue: AIFC Court and IAC premises, Astana, Kazakhstan
Language: English, with simultaneous Russian translation
Fee: Free of charge
Capacity: 30 participants
Registration deadline: 11 October 2026
How to Apply
Interested candidates can submit their applications here: https://lnkd.in/esCycMEb
With free participation, an internationally recognised certificate and a highly practical format, the programme offers a valuable opportunity for practitioners seeking to build credibility and confidence as arbitrators. Given the limited number of places, early application is strongly encouraged.
