64 - Teaching Arbitration

Summary

This chapter addresses the question of why teach arbitration, what should be taught, and how it should b e taught. It does so from the perspective of one who believes the Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot is one of the best pedagogical tools in legal education, and in particular for teaching arbitration. I begin with comments about Professor Eric Bergston’s vision that underlies the Vis Moot. In determining that arbitration should be taught in order to train the coming generations of arbitrators and arbitration counsel, I provide five core reasons for teaching arbitration. I follow with consideration of what should be taught, which must include not only doctrine and skills, but an understanding of the importance of arbitration to the rule of law generally. I close with some brief thoughts on how to teach arbitration and the importance of fitting the method to the teacher.