Recent Change In Dubai's Arbitration Landscape.

On 14 September 2021, Decree No. 34 of 2021 Concerning the Dubai International Arbitration Centre was issued by Dubai's Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (the "Decree").¹ It came into effect on 20 September 2021.

The Decree has re-shaped the Dubai arbitration landscape by abolishing the Dubai International Financial Centre (the "DIFC") Arbitration Institute ("DAI") and the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre ("EMAC"), and consolidating arbitrations subject to their rules within a re-vamped Dubai International Arbitration Centre (the "DIAC"). The Decree has therefore in effect also abolished the DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre (the "DIFC-LCIA"), which had been established pursuant to an operating agreement between the DAI and the London Court of International Arbitration ("LCIA").