On 4 June 2026, Lewis Silkin hosted a panel discussion entitled From trust to transformation: strengthening Africa–UK Dispute Resolution partnerships as part of London International Disputes Week. The event, held in collaboration with Africa Legal and with participation from the UK Ministry of Justice and the Law Society of England and Wales, brought together leading African and UK practitioners for a practical discussion on the evolving landscape of cross-border disputes involving African parties.
The session was supported by the UK Ministry of Justice's GREAT Legal Services campaign and featured a keynote address from Mark Evans, President of the Law Society of England and Wales. Matthew Readett of the Ministry of Justice opened proceedings with the message that closer collaboration and knowledge sharing between UK and African practitioners is crucial.
The panel
The panel discussion was moderated by Fraser Mitchell, Partner at Lewis Silkin, and featured distinguished practitioners from across the African continent:
Jonathan Sahli, Head of Litigation at Bowmans in Johannesburg
Gwendy Bannerman, Partner at N. Dowuona & Company in Accra
Oluseye Opasanya SAN, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Partner at Olaniwun Ajayi in Lagos
Eric Gumbo, Managing Partner at G&A Advocates in Nairobi.
Trust is key
In his keynote address, Mark Evans struck a central theme that would resonate throughout the discussion: without trust, even the most sophisticated legal mechanisms will falter. He emphasised that parties must have confidence in governing law, the broader legal ecosystem, and the practitioners and courts involved. He observed that the dispute resolution landscape in Africa is undergoing significant development, with countries modernising their arbitration laws and regional arbitration centres growing in prominence. Collaboration between UK and international lawyers, he said, can deliver real benefits, but trust must be placed at the heart of those efforts.
Geopolitics and Government intervention
The session opened with each panellist sharing a real-world example of cross-border collaboration between UK and African practitioners. Some of these examples revealed the extent to which government intervention and geopolitical factors can shape disputes on the continent. It was noted that advocates must take time to consider the broader implications of their cases, and take local advice on the same, in order to understand and factor in political considerations.
London's role as a disputes hub
The panel considered whether London's traditional position as a global disputes hub is changing. There was broad agreement that London is a key jurisdiction for dispute resolution, which retains significant attractions, including settled jurisprudence, high quality legal advice and established institutions. From an investor-state perspective in particular, London is still regarded as the go-to, neutral forum for dispute resolution.
However, the panellists noted a clear shift. As African investment has increased and more domestic disputes arise, African countries have developed their own arbitration centres. Deliberate efforts are being made across East Africa and elsewhere to modernise laws, establish arbitral institutions and build local capacity. Disputes with nuances particular to the region, it was observed, are best resolved by those who understand them. That said, arbitration remains relatively young in parts of the continent, mechanisms for enforcement are still quite inconsistent, and there is room for improvement.
The consensus was that London will remain relevant as regional institutions develop sufficiently to be an obvious alternative, but that achieving that relies on collaboration. Continued investment in the rule of law in African countries is essential, and as one panellist put it simply: "We need each other to survive and get better".
Trust, respect and cultural factors
The discussion turned to the practical realities of cross-border collaboration and, in particular, what goes wrong when trust and cultural understanding are absent. As flagged at the start, trust was identified as the critical factor. Local counsel are too often asked for a discreet piece of advice without being given full context, and left without the perspective needed to contribute meaningfully. A mismatch of expectations between firms, and not having the context needed to advise properly, is where collaboration breaks down. Mutual respect between counsel is essential. The driver, the panel agreed, should always be the interest of the ultimate client, and practitioners must recognise each other as partners.
The panellists also emphasised the importance of appreciating cultural diversity. Courtesies such as respect for age, which may appear minor to international counsel, can determine whether one retains the confidence of a judge or client. Local lawyers must be brought in early and given a meaningful role, particularly in sectors such as mining where understanding the governmental and political position is essential. Local counsel can play a key role, such as monitoring the regulatory landscape throughout or appreciating the influence that local communities may have on an investment.
Key Takeaways
The session concluded with a clear consensus around several themes. Trust, respect and meaningful collaboration are the foundations of effective cross-border dispute resolution. Local counsel must be engaged early and given full context and a substantive role. The political and regulatory landscape in African jurisdictions is dynamic and must be understood from the outset of any project or dispute. London retains significant advantages, but African arbitration centres are developing rapidly and the future lies in genuine partnership.
With thanks to Scott Cowan, Wendy Bampton and Craig Sisterson at Africa Legal, our esteemed panellists, UK Ministry of Justice's GREAT Legal Services campaign and the Law Society of England and Wales.
For further information, contact Fraser Mitchell, Partner at Lewis Silkin.
