In Memory of
Cedric Barclay

Cedric Barclay was a vibrant and talented multi-linguist with a great sense of humour and a true "hands-on" arbitrator, and a former president of the London Maritime Arbitrator’s Association.  He believed it was important to expand the platform for the exchange of ideas to include maritime arbitrators and lawyers from all over the world. Building on the Moscow Congress as the "original" ICMA, Cedric Barclay pursued the idea and organized the second ICMA Congress in 1974 at a beach hotel, a few miles outside of Athens. It was the first organized, exclusively maritime-focused arbitration Congress, with papers prepared in advance, and was attended by maritime arbitrators and lawyers from twenty countries.

After Cedric Barclay’s death in 1989, it was decided to commemorate his memory with a lecture at the subsequent ICMAs, with the first lecture given in Vancouver in 1991.

The purpose of the lectures is to have a continuing common thread for the Congresses, to honour Cedric Barclay and his accomplishments and, last but not least, to provide intellectually challenging papers which hopefully transcend national or political parameters.
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Also, since no one expects to apply the contents of the Cedric Barclay lectures to tomorrow’s arbitration or court cases, it is not imperative that the lectures be absolutely tied to maritime, arbitration or litigation subjects. There are certain factors which come into play when seeking out and considering candidates for the Cedric Barclay lectures; the speakers should have a high international profile, outstanding academic achievements, and the appeal to draw an audience from the host countries as well as the international contingents.