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CWEIC CEO Samantha Cohen has contributed to a new article published in Construction Law examining Jamaica’s emergence as a credible and efficient seat for international arbitration, alongside Vijay K. Bange and Gordon Chan of CWEIC Strategic Partner Irwin Mitchell.

The article emphasises Jamaica’s position as a neutral and reliable forum for resolving cross-border commercial disputes, particularly as global infrastructure and investment projects become more complex and international in nature. The country’s adoption of the UNCITRAL Model Law through the Arbitration Act 2017, its ratification of the New York Convention, and the establishment of the Jamaica International Arbitration Centre were critical developments aligning Jamaica with international best practice. Together, these reforms provide investors with confidence that arbitral awards will be enforceable, procedures predictable, and judicial intervention limited.

The authors also point to Jamaica’s strengthening investment landscape and growing role in regional and global trade, noting that increased flows of capital into infrastructure, logistics, and development projects have heightened the need for efficient and trusted dispute-resolution mechanisms closer to the markets in which businesses operate. In this context, Jamaica becomes a compelling alternative to traditional arbitration hubs, offering both cost efficiency and regional expertise without compromising on global standards.

Reflecting on these developments, Sam emphasises the importance of legal and institutional infrastructure in underpinning long-term investment, noting that “The Caribbean is rightly recognised for its incredible potential, and as more businesses look to invest in the region, it is important that they have the legal infrastructure to support them.” She adds that the progress Jamaica has made in strengthening its arbitration framework is “an encouraging sign, which will give investors from across the Commonwealth – and beyond – the confidence that they need to invest in the Caribbean.”

The article underscores the growing role that modern arbitration regimes can play in supporting sustainable economic growth across the Commonwealth, particularly as investors seek certainty, neutrality, and efficiency in emerging and high-growth markets.

Read the full article here: Arbitration in Jamaica – A Rising Seat In The Caribbean