How Is International Arbitration Implemented In The UAE During The New Normal?

The number of arbitration cases being registered in the United Arab Emirates has been steadily increasing in recent years. This is especially so for Dubai in terms of commercial litigation, with arbitration being included as a standard clause for dispute resolution, whether relating to real estate matters, construction or commercial contracts. The year 2021 has seen critical changes in the arbitration sector with a new decree anointing the 'Dubai International Arbitration Centre' (DIAC) as a sole arbitral chamber in the emirate, which now essentially abolishes the Dubai International Financial Centre-London Court of International Arbitration (DIFC-LCIA). The said decree is in effect from September 2021 and establishes the Dubai International Arbitration Centre to act as the sole dispute-resolution seat in the emirate of Dubai.