Shows
The Dispute BriefEnergy and Infrastructure Disputes: Where They StartMost infrastructure disputes don’t start in court they begin the moment a project veers off course. Whether it's a delayed payment, a vague contract clause, or a change in scope, these early signals quietly ignite the conflicts that can balloon into costly arbitration. If you work in energy, construction, or infrastructure, missing these signals means risking months of legal battles and billions in damages.In this episode, Augusta Shahin zeroes in on the often-overlooked origins of infrastructure disputes. She reveals how small issues; scope disagreements, informal variations, payment delays, and poor record-keeping set the stage for la...
2026-03-1209 min
The Dispute BriefWomen in ADR: Who Actually Gets to Resolve Disputes?This special episode explores the evolving role of women in arbitration and mediation, emphasising how diversity impacts not just fairness but the legitimacy and credibility of dispute resolution systems. Augusta Shahin guides us through the systemic barriers and opportunities, highlighting the importance of trust, recognition, and systemic change on International Women’s Day.Key topics:The increasing visibility and influence of women in mediation and arbitration across AfricaHow appointment practices shape gender diversity and the 'first appointment' barrierThe crucial role of trust and reputation in ADR, and how diversity enhances systemic legitimacyThe difference between me...
2026-03-0811 minThe Dispute BriefPicking an Arbitrator: Skill, Style, and Red FlagsUnderstanding how to choose the right arbitrator can make or break an entire dispute resolution process, and yet, it’s a decision many overlook until it’s too late. In this episode of The Dispute Brief, Augusta Shahin reveals the critical, often underestimated factors that determine whether arbitration runs smoothly or descends into delay and chaos. If you’re involved in complex disputes; energy, infrastructure, finance, you’ll learn how to make smarter selections that lead to clearer awards, faster resolutions, and greater confidence in enforcement.Most lawyers focus on reputation and legal brilliance when nominating arbitrators, but Augus...
2026-03-0512 minThe Dispute BriefThird-Party Funding: The Disclosure People ForgetMost arbitrations are derailed not by the facts of the case, but by what’s hidden, especially when it comes to third-party funding. If you don’t fully understand what needs to be disclosed and when, you’re risking conflicts, enforcement battles, and costly delays.In this episode of The Dispute Brief, Augusta Shahin reveals the overlooked complexities of third-party funding disclosure. While Nigeria’s 2023 arbitration law legitimises funding and aligns with global best practices, many parties still fail to disclose key details like funder identities, settlement veto rights, and funding amendments at the right time. That minimali...
2026-02-2619 minThe Dispute BriefChoosing Mediation: When It’s Smart, When It’s WeakIn this episode, Augusta Shahin breaks down a practical framework for assessing when mediation is the right approach for dispute resolution, emphasising the importance of structure, decision-making authority, and understanding the dispute's true nature. This insight helps legal and business professionals avoid time sinks and leverage mediation effectively.The fundamental purpose of mediation as a structured negotiation processRed flags indicating when mediation is likely to failConditions that make mediation a strategic choice, including relationship preservation and cost considerationsEssential pre-mediation agreements on attendance, documents, and timelinesThe importance of clear decision-making authority and a defined escalation plan00:00 - Mediation...
2026-02-1911 minThe Dispute BriefDocument Production 101: IBA vs “Give Me Everything”In Episode 4 of The Dispute Brief, Augusta Shahin explains document production in plain terms for disputes lawyers, in-house counsel, and contract teams.This episode covers:what document production is (and what it is not)the IBA approach: targeted requests with reasons, not fishing tripswhat tribunals actually test for: relevance, materiality, possession or control, proportionality, and limits like privilege and confidentialitycommon red flags in Nigerian disputes, and how to rewrite them into workable requestsprivilege without panic, and why overclaiming destroys credibilitypreservation for...
2026-02-1212 minThe Dispute BriefMulti-Door Courthouse: A Reality CheckMulti-Door Courthouse sounds like progress. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it is a pause button dressed up as progress.In this episode, Augusta Shahin breaks down what court-connected ADR is meant to do, where it goes wrong in real practice, and how to stop your matter from drifting into endless “we’ll continue settlement” sessions. You’ll hear a simple suitability test, a practical playbook for running referrals like case management, and the legal points under the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 that protect you (and how to document them properly).If you have ever left a mediatio...
2026-02-0510 minThe Dispute BriefCourt vs Emergency Arbitrator: What Works, What Is HypeEpisode 2 is about urgent relief, when waiting is dangerous, not just inconvenient. Augusta Shahin breaks down the real choice between going to court and using an emergency arbitrator: what each option is good for, what’s mostly hype, and the three questions that decide the right route. If you’re dealing with a threatened guarantee call, asset dissipation, stock diversion, or document destruction, this episode gives you a practical checklist to act fast and file clean.Paid resource: Urgent Relief Toolkit (Nigeria), checklists + templates for interim relief, email hello@thedisputebrief.com, subject ‘URGENT RELIEF TOOLKIT’.
2026-01-2912 minThe Dispute Brief5 Clause Mistakes That Ruin ADR Clauses in NigeriaA dispute clause can save you months, or hand the other side a delay tool before the real fight even starts. In this episode, Augusta Shahin breaks down five clause mistakes that keep showing up in Nigeria, why they cause side fights over seat, rules, appointments, and service, and the simple fixes that make a clause workable. You will leave with a minimum checklist you can use before you sign any contract. Have a clause you want reviewed on a future episode? Remove names and figures and email it to hello@thedisputebrief.com.
2026-01-2209 minThe Dispute BriefTrailer, The Dispute BriefA short weekly podcast on arbitration and mediation, Nigeria-based. Each episode breaks down one issue in plain terms, with practical next steps. New episodes every Thursday.
2026-01-1500 min