Brief guide to CIArb membership
(Source; CIArb website and advice from CIArb HQ)
1. Grades
There are 3 main grades of membership; Associate, Member, and Fellow, plus a
retired grade, student grade from January 2010, and an individual and corporate
affiliate grade in prospect.
CIArb also offers a range of practice qualifications: Chartered Arbitrator, Accredited
Mediator and Accredited Adjudicator
2. What is the standing of the 3 main grades and practice qualifications?
Associate (ACIArb) - reflects a professional commitment to the encouragement and
promotion of private dispute resolution.
Member (MCIArb) - reflects a high level of achievement and experience in the law
and practice of private dispute resolution.
Fellow (FCIArb) - reflects the highest achievable academic standard. It is the
benchmark that professional dispute resolvers aim to achieve
Chartered Arbitrator – CIArb’s highest level arbitration qualification (“the gold
standard”), requiring significant practical experience as arbitrator.
Mediation accreditation – the widely accepted pre-requisite academic standard for
individuals hoping to gain practical mediation experience
Adjudication accreditation – a practice level qualification for adjudicators
3. How to achieve a grade?
Each grade is achieved by completing one of the following and an application form.
Associate
• A CIArb introductory course in the field of non-court dispute resolution;
• A relevant course offered by a CIArb Recognised Course Provider;
• A course offered by a CIArb Branch;
• Relevant experience in the field of non-court private dispute resolution.
Bob Shorter 3 March 2010
Member
• CIArb Introduction Module and Modules 1 and 2 in mediation, arbitration,
international arbitration or adjudication;
• A relevant course offered by a CIArb Recognised Course Provider;
• Relevant experience in the field of non-court dispute resolution;
• Relevant courses offered by a CIArb Branch;
• Accelerated Route to Membership.
Fellow
• CIArb Introduction Module, Modules 1, 2, 3 and 4 in mediation, arbitration,
international arbitration or adjudication;
• A relevant course offered by a CIArb Recognised Course Provider;
• Relevant experience in the field of non-court dispute resolution;
• Relevant courses offered by a CIArb Branch;
• Accelerated Route to Fellowship;
• Experienced Practitioner route for arbitrators.
plus a Peer Interview.
(Individuals who choose to follow the mediation pathway will be required to
demonstrate relevant mediation practice before progressing onto the Peer
Interview stage.)
Chartered Arbitrator
 Demonstrate a substantial record of both experience and continuing
professional development
 Peer interview
4. Pathways
CIArb offers a pathways route which is shown below
Bob Shorter 3 March 2010
5. How do I find the required training?
The Scottish branch offers a 1 day introductory course for those seeking the Associate
grade; details on the website
Currently modules 1, 2, 3 &4 are offered in the UK by recognised course providers in
London and Leeds, details on CIArb website. (They are also offered internationally)
Bob Shorter 3 March 2010
Exemptions are available via training at recognised course providers in Scotland at
Dundee. Robert Gordon and Strathclyde Universities are applying to renew their
status as recognised course providers. (Details on CIArb website)
Details of specific exemptions may be found on the website
There are no set time limits from completion of training to award of membership, but
if there is a significant gap, HQ will ascertain the continued relevance of the training.
6. How is experience judged?
CIArb decides whether an applicants experience is appropriate for the grade
requested. Fellowship and Chartered status is assessed via peer interviews. Sue
McLaughlin of Member Services is the main HQ contact on 0207 421 7430
There are Accelerated routes for lawyers who want to be Members or Fellows via the
arbitration and adjudication routes.
There is an Experienced Practitioner route for exceptional individuals who are highly
experienced and renowned arbitrators who wish to become Fellows. The Experienced
Practitioner route application is supported by two Fellows and the candidate is
interviewed by a third Fellow. The outcome of the interview is reported to the Board
of Management which decides whether the candidate may be admitted as a Fellow
The Membership Regulations state that an applicant may appeal against a decision
regarding his or her eligibility for membership of the Institute, in writing to the
Executive…The appeal will be dealt with in accordance with the Institute’s approved
procedure, as published on its website from time to time
Bob Shorter 3 March 2010