How to Qualify

How is the course delivered?

The course is delivered virtually over two days. The trainers use a variety of methods, including seminar-style lectures, role-plays, discussion groups and exercises to offer participants a stimulating and enjoyable programme.

How will I be assessed?

Successful completion of the course requires a combination of attendance at and participation in all sessions (the latter being informally and continuously assessed), together with the completion of an Award based on a family law case study.

What are the entry requirements?

1. Candidates must be either:
   i.    a practising barrister,
   ii.    a practising solicitor,
   iii.    a part time fee paid judge,
   iv.    a practising Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
   who has at least 10 years post qualification experience in England and Wales in the discipline in which he or she wishes to qualify. He or she must have spent a minimum of 600 hours per annum carrying out family law casework in England and Wales during each of the 10 years immediately preceding his or her application 400 hours of which must be in the discipline in which he or she wishes to qualify. If an applicant has completed 800 hours per annum family work comprising 400 hours financial work and 400 hours children work then he or she will be eligible to train as both a financial arbitrator and a children arbitrator.
2. A retired practitioner who would have met the eligibility requirements under paragraph 1.1 above at the time of their retirement, provided he or she applies to train within 12 months from the date of retirement;
   1. A retired Judge of the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court Justice who before or during his or her appointment as such sat as a High Court Judge in the Family Division, provided he or she applies to train within 12 months from the date of retirement, or
   2. A retired judge who was authorised to sit in the Family Court at the date of his or her retirement and who sat in the Family Court for at least 100 days in each of the two years preceding retirement of which at least 40% were in the discipline in which he or she seeks to qualify, provided he or she applies to train within 12 months from the date of retirement or, in the case of the one day training course for existing IFLA arbitrators to qualify for the children scheme, by 11 January 2017.
3. Candidates must support the Resolution Code of Practice.
4. Applicants other than retired judges must provide the name of two referees who are judges, tribunal chairpersons, Queens Counsel or IFLA arbitrators qualified in the discipline in which the applicant wishes to qualify i.e. finance or children. Only one referee may be from the same firm or chambers as the applicant. An applicant who is unable to satisfy the experience criterion set out at above due to parental leave, illness or other extenuating circumstances may seek an exemption at the Institute of Family Law Arbitration Advisory Committee’s discretion.

What is the course fee and what does it include?

There is a non refundable administration fee upon application of £144. The course fee is £2280 inclusive of VAT for either scheme which is payable in advance. The fee includes registration on the course, the first attempt at the Award writing exercise, and the study materials.

What happens when I register for the course?

Upon successful registration, candidates will receive confirmation they are booked on the course. Approximately three weeks before the course starts pre-course materials will be sent out.

What is the CIArb’s policy on ‘cancellation of courses’?

CIArb reserves the right to cancel or change the date, venue or content of programmes and the names of speakers, lecturers and tutors. Candidates will be provided with adequate notice of any change. If the Institute has to cancel a course, candidates will be provided with a full refund or the opportunity to transfer their registration to the next course.

Should a candidate wish to cancel their registration of a course, notification must be received in writing to education@ciarb.org.  Cancellation charges apply, which are explained in full here.

What is my next step when I complete the course?

On successful completion of this course, candidates will be eligible to apply for Membership of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
To be admitted as a Member of CIArb they will need to apply for membership and meet CIArb’s membership requirements.
Upon admission as a Member of CIArb candidates will be accepted on the IFLA panel of arbitrators and able to accept referrals to arbitrate in the discipline in which he or she has qualified in accordance with the IFLA Rules (Children Scheme Rules| Financial Scheme Rules).

What do I do if I wish to apply to train?

You should email Andrea Khan at akhan@ciarb.org for an application form and details of the next available courses. If there are no dates currently arranged she will keep your details on the database so that she can notify you as soon as dates are arranged. Upon receipt of your application form and payment for the administration fee she will take up your references (if required) and, subject to your application being in order and satisfactory references being received, she will confirm your place on the course. Additional course details can be found on Ciarb’s website.