Bermuda’s first dedicated dispute resolution centre has opened in Hamilton, giving businesses and legal practitioners a venue for local hearings and complex international commercial disputes.

The Bermuda International Mediation & Arbitration Centre, known as Bimac, occupies nearly 9,000 square feet of renovated space at Cedar House. It has hearing and breakout rooms, specialist technology and administrative support for arbitrations, mediations, court proceedings and other civil and commercial hearings.

The centre plans to start administering cases under its own arbitration rules in the first quarter of 2027. As an independent arbitral institution, it will also provide services to appoint arbitrators, mediators and other dispute resolution professionals.

More than 100 guests attended last week’s formal opening, including members of Bermuda’s legal and business community and international arbitration practitioners.

Among those attending were Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Justice Larry Mussenden and Ian Kawaley, president of the Court of Appeal. Jeffrey Elkinson, a barrister and international arbitrator who sits on Bimac’s strategic advisory committee, also attended, along with representatives of Arbitration Place.

Ms Wilkerson said the centre would serve both the public and private sectors and linked the development to Bermuda’s position as an international financial centre.

“The Government is absolutely committed to supporting initiatives that further strengthen the jurisdiction’s robust legal ecosystem, which of course is what underpins Bermuda’s standing as a world-leading international financial centre,” she said.

Sam Stevens, Bimac’s chief executive and registrar, said the centre aimed to make Bermuda a destination for parties seeking to resolve disputes through arbitration or mediation, while also serving as a venue for domestic proceedings.

“The opening of Bimac represents a significant milestone in the development of Bermuda's dispute resolution infrastructure,” Mr Stevens said.

“Our ambition is to build on Bermuda’s already impressive reputation and make the island an obvious choice for parties seeking to resolve disputes whether through arbitration, mediation or other mechanisms. We also intend to be a thriving hub for all forms of domestic proceedings.”

He added: “We will also actively champion the continued evolution of the legislative framework supporting dispute resolution in Bermuda, and provide an vibrant platform for professional education and training initiatives.”

Bimac has formed a partnership with Arbitration Place, a Canadian hearing centre and provider of dispute resolution technology and services. The agreement gives parties using Bimac access to specialist hearing technology, case support and operational services.