29/05/2025
Is Your Arbitration Clause a Legal Time Bomb? Here is Why It Might Be.
We have all seen that classic line in contracts:
“In the event of a dispute, the parties shall resolve the matter by arbitration…”
Sounds fair enough. But here is the kicker, it is often way too vague.
When things go south and it is time to actually use that clause, the real question becomes:
Which arbitration Rules apply?
Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA)?
Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (LMDC)?
CIArb? or do we go international?
Suddenly, the clause that was supposed to prevent conflict is causing one. That lack of clarity can lead to confusion, delays, and even more legal wrangling.
So how do you avoid turning a solution into a fresh legal headache?
Be specific.
Spell it out clearly in your clause. For example:
“...resolved by arbitration under the rules of the Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA)...”
or
“...at the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (LMDC) in accordance with its rules and procedures.”
Being this clear upfront helps you:
✅ Resolve disputes faster
✅ Minimize ambiguity
✅ Cut legal costs
✅ Bring predictability into your process
In today’s legal landscape, vagueness is not just risky, it is costly.
Have you ever come across a vague arbitration clause? What happened when it was actually put to the test? Let’s talk about it. Share your experiences or tips in the comments, someone else might learn from it too.