Women in Arab Arbitration (WIAR) launch in Dubai

‘Women in Arab Arbitration’ (WIAR), an independent networking forum for female arbitration practitioners in the Middle East launched in Dubai with a very successful event held at La Vida Hotel on February 6, 2017.

The forum was established to provide opportunities for female practitioners to meet, network and build relationships with the ultimate objective of raising their profile to ensure more female practitioners are appointed as arbitrators. The forum is informal and open to female arbitration practitioners whose practice has a link to the Arab world.

The first event saw about thirty professionals come together which included practitioners from the in-house world and private practice representing both international and local firms. The event was also attended by practitioners who were visiting Dubai.

The initiative was highly praised by attendees given the need in the region for raising the profile of female arbitrators and creating opportunities for appointments on arbitral panels. “It is a privilege to practice with such a talented group of women. I am delighted to support this initiative which will showcase the robust talent of women involved with arbitration in the Middle East and give them a platform to support one another”, said Erin Miller Rankin from Freshfields.

The forum will be organising events independently and in collaboration with arbitration centres and law firms over the coming months and years. This initiative is a first in the region and there is a great vision to expand this beyond the UAE.

For further details, contact: Heba Osman, partner, Fenwick Elliott, hosman@fenwickelliott.com, Nayiri Boghossian, partner, Al Owais, nayiri@alowaislegal.com or Laila El Shentenawi, senior associate, Al Tamimi & Company, L.ElShentenawi@tamimi.com.