The legal landscape in Dubai recently witnessed a pivotal ruling
issued by the Dubai Court of Cassation on July 3, 2025, in Appeal
No. 657 of 2025. The judgment addressed a core issue in commercial
arbitration: the authority of arbitral tribunals to issue interim
measures, and in particular, anti-suit injunctions during ongoing
arbitration proceedings. This judgment constitutes an important,
and likely unprecedented, reference for legal professionals
involved in arbitration within the UAE.
Background and Central Dispute
The dispute arose when a party filed a claim before the Dubai
Court of Appeal seeking to set aside an interim order issued by an
arbitral tribunal in ICC arbitration proceedings, restraining the
claimant from initiating proceedings before any court on matters
governed by a Memorandum of Understanding, which is the subject of
the arbitration proceedings, until the issuance of the final award,
unless prior written permission is obtained from the
