The United Arab Emirates (‘UAE’) has become one of the most sought-after arbitration destinations in the Middle East for cross-border disputes, especially in construction, energy, infrastructure, aviation, and shipping. Parties frequently choose Dubai or Abu Dhabi as the seat, reflecting a deliberate strategy by the UAE to offer a neutral, predictable, pro-arbitration, and enforcement friendly environment.
A distinctive feature of UAE’s legal landscape is the coexistence of onshore civil law courts with common law courts established in financial free zones i.e. the Dubai International Financial Centre (‘DIFC’) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (‘ADGM’). How these courts interact, particularly on enforcement and jurisdiction, has been a key factor in assessing the UAE as a seat of arbitration.
