The first part of this two-part series was published on 7 February 2024.Back then, the Lusaka International Arbitration Center (“LIAC”) had not been officially launched.
John is an Associate Partner at Chibesakunda & Company and heads the Dispute Resolution Team. He has immense experience in litigation and arbitration, having garnered it over a 10-year period of experience in the field.
During his time at CCO, John has represented clients in diverse sectors including finance, mining, energy and agriculture. This has been primarily in their disputes before the superior courts of Zambia and before local and international arbitral panels.
John obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Zambia, and later pursued a Masters in Law (focused on international arbitration) at Cornell University in the United States of America.
John’s key experiences have included advising:
- The Eastern and Southern African Development Bank in arbitral proceedings before the COMESA Court for a claim in excess of US$ 8 Million;
- Millennium Challenge Account Zambia Limited in arbitration proceedings on a dispute relating to the Grant Agreement entered into with a Zambian registered company for implementation of the Lusaka Water Supply Sanitation and Drainage Project;
- A Zambian registered company in an ICC arbitration against a Dutch incorporated company – the dispute is in respect of breach of a facility agreement and damages are in excess of US$ 30 Million.
- Citibank Zambia Limited in arbitration proceedings in respect of a dispute arising from a real estate relationship;
- Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company Limited in an arbitration matter on breach of a Power Supply Agreement by a Zambian registered mining company;
- FedEx Zambia Limited on a dispute against a Zambian registered real estate company involving real estate property in Lusaka;
- Anheuser-Busch InBev PLC, Zambian Breweries PLC and National Breweries PLC in their dispute against the capital markets regulator, the Securities Exchange Commission;
- Bank of Nevis International Limited in its dispute with the Bank of Zambia in respect of the latter’s shareholding in Investrust Bank PLC;
- Sanlam Life Insurance Zambia Limited in various employment disputes commenced by its former employees in the superior courts of Zambia;
- Dr Potter’s Zambia Limited in a dispute with the Ministry of Health relating to a proposed licence for the cultivation of medicinal marijuana; and
- Nanga Farms PLC on a real estate dispute with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning in Zambia.
Professional Qualifications
- Advocate admitted to the High Court of Zambia (2015)
- Advocate admitted to the Supreme Court of Zambia (2018)
Education
- Cornell University (USA), LL.M (2022)
- Zambia Institute of Advance Legal Education (Bar Admission) (2015)
- University of Zambia (Zambia), LL.B. (2012)
Memberships
- Member of the Law Association of Zambia
- Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
On 12 January 2023, the Law Association of Zambia and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Zambia Branch) registered their aspiratOn 12 January 2023, the Law Association of Zambia and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Zambia Branch) registered their aspirations with the public to set up an international arbitration centerions with the public to set up an international arbitration center