Local lawyer recipient of ACICA awards

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The Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA) Awards ACICA Pacific Islands Practitioner Scholarships ACICA has announced the first two recipients of the ACICA Pacific Islands Practitioner Scholarship (Scholarship).

ACICA has awarded Scholarships to Jeanale Nigs, a Senior Associate at Dentons in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and Ake Spiros Poa, In-House Counsel at the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

The Scholarship recipients will attend Australian Arbitration Week (AAW) 2024 in Brisbane (13-18 October 2024) including the lead event, the ACICA & Ciarb Australia International Arbitration Conference. Recipients will meet with members of the ACICA Secretariat to obtain an understanding of ACICA’s work and will be offered the opportunity to be a part of the ADR practitioner network that ACICA seeks to encourage in the South Pacific.

ACICA received 72 applications for the inaugural Scholarship programme. Applications were received from several countries in the Pacific including Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Soloman Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. The Honourable James Allsop AC, member of the Scholarship selection panel said:

“The high number of applications we received for the inaugural scholarship programme across the Pacific is very encouraging. It highlights the relevance of initiatives such as this one, and the role ACICA can play in building networks with the dispute resolution communities in this region. Given the importance of our neighbours in the Pacific, regional engagement has been a priority for ACICA for some years having formed a dedicated Taskforce to develop this relationship and shape future initiatives.”

Deborah Tomkinson, ACICA Senior Advisor and member of the selection panel said: “I am delighted we have been able to fulfill the vision that ACICA had following the ICCA Congress in Sydney to contribute to the advancement of education in international arbitration through the creation of this scholarship programme, which has engaged so many members of the dispute resolution community across the Pacific. The large number of excellent applications received made the selection process truly challenging. We congratulate Jeanale and Ake on becoming the first recipients of the Scholarship and look forward to welcoming them to AAW in Brisbane. ACICA will continue its engagement with all applicants from the region well beyond Brisbane to foster meaningful and lasting connections.”

 Jeanale had this to say about being awarded the Scholarship: “I am deeply honored and grateful to ACICA for being awarded this scholarship to attend the AAW and the ACICA and Ciarb Australia International Arbitration Conference in Brisbane this year. This opportunity will support my interest in building on my knowledge of arbitration. I am also cognizant of the fact that Papua New Guinea’s jurisprudence on arbitration is limited but there is an increasing reliance on arbitration as a mode of alternative dispute resolution especially in commercial disputes. I hope that the knowledge gained, and the networking and connections made will go a long way in helping me to contribute to building a strong arbitration practice in PNG.”

On the news, Ake said: “I was pleased to hear the news that my application to join the scholarship programme was accepted. I am particularly interested in acquiring advanced practical knowledge in ADR, especially in arbitration. I’m looking forward to networking with seasoned practitioners and learning from their experience in this space, and sharing my experiences in my home jurisdiction.” The purpose of the Scholarship is to provide legal practitioners who are admitted in South Pacific Island jurisdictions with the opportunity to further their knowledge and skills in alternative dispute resolution and arbitration, cultivate opportunities by building networks, and influence development within their communities. It is supported through the ACICA Education Fund (Fund) Scholarship Programme. The Fund was established by ACICA in 2016 to consist of any profits received from the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) Congress hosted by ACICA in Sydney in 2018.

The Scholarships were awarded by a selection panel consisting of the Fund Trustees: The Honourable James Allsop AC (Arbitrator, Sydney Arbitration Chambers & Independent member), Georgia Quick (Partner, Ashurst & Immediate Past President of ACICA), Martin Cairns (Managing Director, Sapere Forensic & ACICA Treasurer), Gitanjali Bajaj (Partner, DLA Piper & ACICA Vice President), Nick Longley (Partner, HFW & ACICA Board Member), and Deborah Tomkinson (Senior Advisor at ACICA and former ACICA Secretary-General). About the Scholarship Recipients Jeanale Nigs Jeanale Nigs is a Senior Associate at Dentons’ Port Moresby office, specialising in commercial litigation and dispute resolution for almost 10 years. With extensive experience representing large corporations and statutory organisations, she has successfully handled complex cases involving land and property disputes, contractual issues, and judicial review. Jeanale is a key member of the litigation team, known for her strategic approach and dedication to her clients. She holds memberships with the Law Society of Papua New Guinea and actively contributes to the legal community. Jeanale’s expertise and commitment make her a valuable asset to Dentons PNG.

Jeanale holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB, Hons) from the University of Papua New Guinea.

Ake Spiros Poa Ake Spiros Poa works as an In-House Counsel for Solomon Islands Electricity Authority – the only power utility company in the Solomon Islands. He specialises in commercial law but also practises in the following areas of law: energy law, civil litigation, public law, international finance law, alternative dispute resolution and natural resources law.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Papua New Guinea, an MBA from the University of the South Pacific, and an LL.M from the Australian National University. He is admitted to practice law in Solomon Islands and in Papua New Guinea.