DIAC launches new 2022 Arbitration Rules
As part of its efforts to cement Dubai’s position as a global alternative dispute resolution hub, the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) has finalised its new 2022 Arbitration Rules. Following review by the Arbitration Court of the DIAC, the new Rules were approved by the DIAC’s Board of Directors at a board meeting held on February 25, 2022.
The new Rules were drafted by a dedicated task force comprising regional and international arbitration practitioners, and members of the DIAC’s Secretariat.
The new Rules reflect the latest developments in the field of international arbitration, as well as the evolving needs of the business community, and are aimed at improving the efficiency of the arbitration procedures and ensuring that the users would benefit from a wide range of additions.
Provisions of the new Rules were designed to streamline arbitration procedures and facilitate the time efficiency of the proceedings, while maintaining a balance between autonomy of the parties and empowering the arbitrators to manage cases efficiently.
Most notable additions to the new Rules are the provisions dealing with consolidation, joinder, expedited proceedings, alternative process for appointing arbitrators, as well as exceptional proceedings, such as emergency arbitrator and conciliation. Much-anticipated, legal fees are now part of the arbitration costs and could be claimed by the parties under the new Rules.
The new Rules, to be found on DIAC website: www.diac.ae, will come into effect starting March 21, 2022 and will govern all new requests for arbitration and exceptional procedures submitted after this date.
In addition, the DIAC is pleased to announce the appointment of its Arbitration Court, established in accordance with the Statute of the DIAC, issued by Decree No. 34 of 2021 of the Government of Dubai concerning the DIAC. The Arbitration Court replaces the Executive Committee of the DIAC and assumes its duties of undertaking general supervision of the ADR services offered and supervising the management of all cases administered by the DIAC.
The members of the Arbitration Court were confirmed by the DIAC’s Board of Directors and include Dr. Ahmed Bin Hazeem Al Suwaidi (President) Ahmed Mohamed Al Rasheed, Jehad Abdulrazzaq Kazim, Graham Kenneth Lovett, H.E. Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi, Mohammad Rashid Al Suwaidi, Dr. Mansoor Al Osaimi, Dr. Yousef Al Suwaidi, and Gemma Nemer.
