Tarek Badawy
Tarek Badawy
Partner
Ismail Lamie
Ismail Lamie
Senior Associate

The UAE has amended its federal arbitration law to introduce more flexibility to arbitration proceedings and lift certain restrictions on the parties’ freedom to nominate arbitrators. While most of the amendments are cosmetic and reiterate established principles of UAE law (e.g., the tribunal’s freedom to assess the evidence and the need to comply with public policy norms), two merit scrutiny.

(1). Keeping up with changing times, the use of technology

The amendments attempt to introduce more clarity on the use of modern technology in arbitration and provide for the parties’ right to choose the physical or virtual place of arbitration. Tribunals may determine such a place in the absence of agreement between the parties.

Despite the emphasis on virtual hearings and the need to keep up with changing times by allowing the use of technology in arbitration, the amendments are silent on whether tribunals can insist on holding virtual hearings despite the parties’ explicit agreement to the contrary. While the answer may be found in the applicable institutional rules and developing jurisprudence, this confusion could have been avoided had the amendments articulated the distinction between the seat and venue of an arbitration instead of opting for the more generic term, place of arbitration.

(2). Widening the scope of eligible arbitrators

Prior to the amendments, the arbitration law precluded parties from appointing directors and members of the board of trustees of the administering arbitral institution as arbitrators. The amendments ease these restrictions yet introduce certain requirements to offer parties more autonomy to choose their arbitrators while guaranteeing the arbitrators’ impartiality and independence.

More pertinently, the new amendment still preclude directors and board of trustee members from sitting as sole or presiding arbitrators but not as co-arbitrators if (i) the rules or bylaws of the administering institution provide a mechanism that ensures arbitrator impartiality and independence, including avenues to report irregularities committed by arbitrators; (ii) the arbitrators sit in a maximum of five (5) arbitrations administered by their institution in a given year; (iii) the parties confirm in writing that they are aware of the arbitrators’ position within the administering institution; and (iv) the arbitrators give additional written undertakings to guarantee the integrity of the proceedings. Failure to abide by the foregoing can subject these arbitrators to the risk of liability under applicable laws.

The language of the amendments suggests that arbitrators that happen to be directors or members of the board of trustees of the administering institution are held to a higher standard than other arbitrators, whereby their failure to comply with the amendments will be deemed gross negligence for which they may be found liable notwithstanding any limitation of liability provisions contained in the applicable institutional rules.

** ** **

For more information about the amendments, please contact regional arbitration teams members Tarek Badawy (Meysan UAE and Egypt) and Ismail Lamie (Meysan Egypt).

Key Amendments to the Saudi Labor Law
Key Amendments to the Saudi Labor Law

On August 6, 2024, the Saudi Arabian government introduced amendments to the Labor Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/51) dated 23/8/1426 AH, as amended. These changes aim to improve working conditions, clarify employer obligations, and enhance worker rights. The revisions include amendments to thirty-eight articles, deletion of seven articles,… Read more

Navigating Restrictive Acts under Kuwaiti Anti-trust Laws
Navigating Restrictive Acts under Kuwait...

The prevalence of restrictive clauses in contracts with a Kuwaiti nexus, introduced by both service providers and product suppliers, has become a notable feature in the business landscape. These clauses often seek to limit client autonomy by restricting the resale of purchased goods or engagement with competing service providers. However,… Read more

An Eye on Egypt – New Merger Control Regime Finally in Place
An Eye on Egypt – New Merger Contr...

After much anticipation, Egypt’s Prime Minister issued Decree No. 1120 of 2024 (Decree) revealing the long-awaited amendments to the Competition Act’ executive regulations (Regulations). By way of background, in December 2022, the Egyptian Competition Act underwent a major overhaul with the introduction of a pre-merger control regime that grants the… Read more

Economic Liberalization in Kuwait: Welcome, Foreign Investors
Economic Liberalization in Kuwait: Welco...

The business and economic landscape of Kuwait just changed. With the ratification of the first law of 2024: Law Regarding the Amendment of Article 24 of the Commercial Law and Article 31 of the Public Tenders Law (1/2024) (the “Foreign Company Amendments Law”) on 21 January 2024, foreign companies now… Read more

New premium residencies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
New premium residencies in the Kingdom o...

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced a series of groundbreaking premium residency options. Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Alkassabi, Chairman of the Premium Residency Center announced five distinctive categories—special talent, gifted, investor, entrepreneur, and real estate owner residencies. This strategic move, harmonizing with Vision 2030's objectives, positions Saudi Arabia as… Read more

The Egyptian Competition Authority Sharpens its Teeth in Light of Government Strategy
The Egyptian Competition Authority Sharp...

The Egyptian Competition Authority (the “ECA”) has traditionally been known for its aggressive stance towards historically tolerated anti- competitive acts. To live up to its slogan, “a stronger economy…for a better life”, it recently began shifting its focus to awareness-raising (in parallel with enforcement), a much-needed step in a market… Read more