Arbitration clauses are not always challenged directly. Often, the challenge is more subtle: a claimant brings court proceedings against both the contractual counterparty and an additional defendant who never signed the arbitration agreement, i.e., a non-signatory or third party. The question then becomes whether that party structure is enough to keep the dispute in court. […]
United Arab Emirates Arbitration
The Iran Conflict and Arbitration Disputes
In addition to its human toll, the current conflict involving Iran creates immediate commercial and legal challenges for companies operating in the Middle East. It directly affects contract performance, payment flows, shipping, energy supply and dispute resolution. In sectors such as energy, infrastructure, commodities and maritime transport, these impacts are already tangible, appearing in delayed […]
Onshore UAE Pro-Arbitration Court Decisions 2024-2025
The UAE’s arbitration landscape continues to mature, and recent Court of Cassation decisions from 2024 and 2025 show that the onshore courts are actively supporting that trajectory. Three themes stand out. First, the courts are increasingly protecting the arbitral process from judicial interference, most notably by confirming that interim measures issued by tribunals cannot be […]
Claiming Interest in Arbitrations in the Middle East
Sharia law shapes the legal frameworks in the Middle East. Traditionally, it was the primary uncodified source of law in the region. However, throughout the 20th century, many Middle Eastern countries developed their own Civil Codes, which continue to be rooted in Sharia principles. One of the key areas where Sharia law exerts substantial influence […]
2023 Amendments to the UAE’s Arbitration Law
In September 2023, Federal Law No. 15 of 2023 entered into force (the “2023 Arbitration Law”) in the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), introducing certain amendments to key provisions of Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 on arbitration (the “2018 Arbitration Law”). Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 applies to arbitrations seated onshore in the UAE […]
Arbitration in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Arbitration in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a reliable and efficient method for resolving conflicts in a world where commercial disputes can arise quickly. Known for its dynamic business landscape and international trade, the UAE has embraced arbitration as a powerful means of settling commercial disputes. In this note, we delve into the nuances […]
International Construction Arbitration in the Middle East
The construction industry is a leading economic sector in the Middle East, where a large number of infrastructure projects worth billions of dollars are commenced each year. Construction disputes are inevitable due to activity in the construction industry and arbitration is the preferred dispute resolution mechanism for such disputes, especially for foreign parties. Construction disputes […]
Arbitration Under the OIC Investment Agreement
Many investors are unaware of the existence of the Agreement for the Promotion, Protection and Guarantee of Investments among the Member States of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (the “OIC Investment Agreement”) and its provisions regarding dispute settlement. The Organization of the Islamic Conference (the “OIC”; Arabic: منظمة التعاون الإسلامي; French: Organisation de la […]
United Arab Emirates to Approve New Arbitration Law
The UAE parliament[1] has approved a new arbitration law based on the UNCITRAL Model Law. The Cabinet of Ministers will make a final review of the new UAE arbitration law and, afterwards, it will enter into force once the Supreme Council and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan sign it. Experts do not expect any more in-depth […]
