The Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation (HCAA) has appointed Chinasa Unaegbunam, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as a member of its advisory board.
The announcement was made on Friday, December 6, in a statement by Tunde Moshood, spokesperson for the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. Moshood described the appointment as “not only a personal achievement but also a significant recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in international aviation arbitration.”
“This accomplishment underscores Unaegbunam’s status as one of Nigeria’s leading aviation legal experts and marks her as the nation’s second Learned Silk in Aviation,” the statement read.
The HCAA introduced its 40-member advisory board, a diverse group of distinguished professionals in aviation law, mediation, and arbitration, including Claire McDermott, Mary Walker, and Wade Thomson. The board’s primary goal is to champion arbitration and mediation as the preferred methods for resolving contractual disputes within the global aviation industry.
“Unaegbunam will play a pivotal role in advising the HCAA on its mission to promote arbitration and mediation as preferred methods for resolving contractual disputes in the global aviation industry,” the statement added.
The advisory board is bolstered by technical, mediation, and rules standing committees, offering specialized insights to the board of directors. These collaborative efforts aim to refine dispute resolution processes tailored to the aviation sector’s unique challenges.
“As the second aviation Learned Silk from Nigeria to achieve this honour, Unaegbunam continues to break barriers and inspire the next generation of aviation and legal professionals. Her appointment aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to fostering excellence and innovation in aviation, a sector pivotal to the nation’s economic development,” the statement concluded.
