The Honorable Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo is currently in Doha, Qatar, attending the 5th Standing International Forum for Commercial Courts (SiFoCC) meeting. His presence aims to present Uganda’s experience with Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in resolving disputes and to shed light on the resolutions from the recent Africa Chief Justices ADR Summit held in Kampala.
The two-day meeting, scheduled from April 20th to 21st, serves as a unique platform that brings together commercial courts from around the globe. Established in 2017, SiFoCC’s primary objectives include sharing best practices in commercial dispute resolution, bolstering the rule of law, and aiding developing countries in their efforts to resolve commercial disputes. Consequently, this fosters stronger relationships between businesses and legal systems worldwide.
Recap of Day I: On the first day of the forum hosted at Qatar University, significant discussions revolved around the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in handling and resolving disputes globally. Participants highlighted both the potential benefits and challenges associated with AI, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive legal frameworks to ensure its responsible application in dispute resolution.
While recognizing AI as an invaluable tool, attendees stressed the importance of addressing moral and ethical concerns, such as the preservation of human involvement and the reliance of AI on existing data, which may introduce biases into its decision-making process. Consequently, there is a consensus among jurisdictions that the development of clear rules and regulations is essential to guide the ethical and responsible use of AI in dispute resolution.
The meeting witnessed diverse representations from various jurisdictions, including Uganda. Accompanying Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo are esteemed members of the Ugandan judiciary, including Chief Justice Emeritus Justice Bart Katureebe Magunda, who also serves as a committee member of SiFoCC. Additionally, the delegation includes Prof. Andrew Khaukha, the Technical Advisor to the Judiciary, renowned for his advocacy of ADR in Uganda, and HW Lochomin Peter Fred, the Personal Assistant to the Chief Justice. Their presence underscores Uganda’s commitment to contributing to global discussions on commercial dispute resolution and ADR promotion.
