Familiar warning

ELSEWHERE, the LMAA president’s report for this year contains a sound, if familiar, warning. Pointing out that the publication of the names of 24 potential new arbitrators had brought forth little response from appointers, the president warned, "If we are going to maintain our position as the leading centre for maritime arbitration, we must get more shipbrokers, engineers and master mariners into the LMAA. Certain standards have to be met before an applicant is admitted to full membership. Those who have put their names forward meet some but not all of the required criteria. One thing they all have in common is a lack of practical experience of sitting as arbitrators. We must therefore try to ensure that these people secure appointments."

This is good, sound, common sense from the LMAA. You could argue that, if you are good enough, you will make it as an arbitrator, and there are plenty of living examples of that. But maybe things are more competitive now than ever before, and maybe the law firms and the clubs should update their contact directories. Cedric Barclay said there are no slim arbitrators, but he said nothing about there being no young ones.