How Reasoned Arbitration Awards And Expert Opinions May Help Prevent Article 257 Of The Penal Code Being Triggered

Abstract

When Article 257 of FL_TITLE31987Federal Law No. 3/1987 was issued many were worried arbitrators and experts in the UAE would end up behind bars. Although there is lobbying to repeal this provision, Antonios Dimitracopoulos FCIArb of BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates believes there is another way to reduce the risk of it being triggered.

Analysis

It is fair to say that last year's revision of Article 257 of Federal Law No. 3/1987 has sent ripples throughout the UAE arbitration community which are still being felt, seven months later.

It was not long before visions of arbitrators and experts being locked up behind bars for some alleged lack of impartiality began to the UAE arbitration community, with many even fearing this was the end of this mode of dispute resolution in the UAE as we know it.