disputes is holding a certificated course in Bermuda next month to train would-be international arbitrators.

At the end of the course, International Centers (correct) for Arbitration (ICA) will release details of a new training centre in Bermuda.

It is the latest effort to push one of Bermuda's newest areas of international business.

Bermuda International Business Association is trying to establish the Island as a centre where commercial disputes can be arbitrated.

It is hoped corporations will have it written into their commercial contracts that any disputes be arbitrated in Bermuda.

This would give a boost to many areas of the local economy, including hotels, restaurants, legal, accounting and stenography sectors.

Bermuda has already adopted the model law on international commercial arbitration developed by the United Nations' Committee on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

Mr. Houghton Hutcheson, ICA's executive director, said: "This development, coupled with Bermuda's prominent role in the international financial, maritime and insurance markets, positions Bermuda as a logical choice for the ICA's second training centre.'' The first centre was set up in Houston, Texas, where ICA is headquartered, and others are planned for Moscow, Manila, Belize, Stockholm and Mexico.

ICA is a non-profit organisation which was formed in 1992 by 13 attorneys from law firms in Houston.

Its aim is to "promote and facilitate the resolution of significant international commercial disputes''.

Mr. Hutcheson said: "The lack of an effective mechanism for the resolution of disputes has been one of the strongest impediments to investment in developing or emerging economies abroad.

"The emerging republics of the former Soviet Union, for example, have no existing framework of business law and no court system in a traditional context, yet many American companies are aggressively seeking opportunities in these countries.'' Although arbitration has been utilised for many years as a means to resolve commercial disputes, there has been little standardisation of training, according to ICA.

The ICA is believed to be the first organisation in the United States to offer a certification course for international arbitrators.

Its inaugural course in Houston was completed by 52 candidates who attended 20 hours of classroom instruction. In addition, they undertook self-study modules using a curriculum developed by law professors and attorneys with international extensive business practices.

Mr. Tom Arnold, an attorney, mediator and arbitrator who is chairman of ICA's committee on standards, said: "This course establishes a new worldwide standard for training of practitioners in transnational arbitration.'' The training course in Bermuda is being held from September 17-19 at Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort.

Mr. Hutcheson said: "Included in the invitation list to the Bermuda course are the chief legal and executive officers of a select group of America's most active international companies, as well as distinguished practitioners from the legal, accounting, consulting and financial services fields.

"Bermuda is now a preferred site for arbitration under the UNCITRAL rules, as well as those of the London Court of International Arbitration and the International Chamber of Commerce.''