Tech-powered arbitration rise
Charlie Harrel of Opus 2 on how competition is driving innovation in Middle East arbitration by exploring the impact of digital transformation and user-focused solutions in redefining the region’s arbitral landscape.
Arbitration is a global marketplace that is subject to the dynamics and demands of the arbitration community. To maintain or gain ground in an increasingly competitive market, arbitral seats must evolve and innovate to meet the shifting needs of their users, including arbitrators, legal practitioners, and their clients. Competition to attract disputes is fierce worldwide, and equally so in the Middle East, where technology has begun to emerge as a significant determining factor in the choice of arbitral seat.
A diversity of choice
The results of the latest International Arbitration Survey[1], conducted by Queen Mary University of London in partnership with White & Case, highlight expanding competition and choice in the market. When respondents were asked to name the five arbitral seats most preferred by them or their organisations, 117 different seats were cited, an increase of approximately 30 per cent in the number cited four years prior. Notably, respondents to the survey mentioned newer players such as Dubai, Riyadh, and Mumbai alongside established seats like London, Paris, and Singapore.
The QMUL survey also a growing tendency for arbitration users to favour seats in their own regions. This could be due to the increase in choice or a simple preference to arbitrate under the laws of jurisdictions that are geographically closer. What is certain, however, is that there has been an increase in the number of seats in regional centres such as the Middle East, and that this is fostering a degree of intra-regional competition. The region as a whole is likely to benefit from this maturing ecosystem, as the clustering of attractive choices puts them all under a global spotlight.
Nevertheless, carving out a point of distinction becomes a greater challenge. In the Middle East, several arbitral seats—and the institutions that operate within them—are responding by seeking out ways to leverage technology to their advantage.
Technology as a consideration in seat selection
Ciarb published its centenary principles (2015) identifying facilities and infrastructure as key factors in selecting an effective and successful arbitral seat. While these were once primarily physical considerations, today a seat’s digital infrastructure and regulatory approach to technology are equally critical.
Modern arbitration increasingly depends on reliable connectivity, strong security standards, and regulatory frameworks that provide clear guidance on the use of technology, including hybrid and virtual hearings. These elements are becoming a more common and influential part of how parties assess and select an arbitral seat. Consequently, across the Middle East, jurisdictions seeking the economic growth offered by arbitration[2] are adopting policies that support and endorse digital transformation within dispute resolution.
Innovation within arbitral institutions
Competition is also driving innovation at the institutional level, with the goal of enhancing efficiency and effectiveness while delivering a superior client experience. With those objectives in mind, institutions are investing in technology to streamline arbitration administration processes and encouraging users to take advantage of solutions that enhance hearings.
Institutions are investing in digital solutions that centralise key processes across the arbitration lifecycle—from e-filing and registration to case management, correspondence tracking, and award issuance. These platforms improve transparency, accelerate administrative tasks, and allow users to access case information securely in one place.
At the same time, institutions are partnering with leading legal technology providers to encourage the adoption of solutions that enhance the hearing experience. These advanced platforms with integrated services facilitate complex configurations, enable global participation, and offer features such as real-time transcription and translation. To support the use of advanced technology, many centres are also equipping their on-site hearing rooms with built-in hardware, high-speed connectivity and audiovisual systems to ensure seamless proceedings whether participants appear in person or remotely.
This wave of institution-led innovation is reshaping how arbitration is managed and experienced. As use cases for AI in arbitration[3] grow, new opportunities to innovate arise. The future of arbitration will be shaped, at least in part, by how arbitral institutions and seats leverage AI to transform both the administrative and substantive aspects of arbitration.
A user-focused approach
As clients and legal practitioners become more accustomed to using technology in an arbitration setting, their expectations will continue to shift. The demand for technology-driven solutions is sure to increase.
Ultimately, innovation in the Middle East is improving efficiency, accessibility, and elevating the overall arbitration experience. Arbitral institutions and seats that deliver smoother, more connected, and more efficient proceedings will have a valuable advantage in the shifting global arbitration landscape.
Text by:
Charlie Harrel, chief operating officer, Opus 2
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Footnotes:
[1] https://www.qmul.ac.uk/arbitration/research/2025-international-arbitration-survey/
[2] https://theoath-me.com/middle-east-arbitration-powered-by-technology/
