Earlier this year, the Middle East saw the
creation of the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre (EMAC). This
new institution, aimed at filling the gap in maritime dispute
resolution centres in the region, started operating on 25 September
2016 under the helm of an eminent Board of Trustees.
EMAC foundation
On 20 April 2016, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and
Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
issued Decree No. 14 of 2016 establishing the Emirates Maritime
Arbitration Centre and Decree No. 16 of 2016 appointing the First
Board of Trustees for the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre. The
Chairman of the Board is Sir Anthony Colman (former English High
Court Judge of the Commercial Court and former Deputy Chief Justice
of the DIFC Court in Dubai) and the Vice Chairman and Secretary
General is Majid Obaid Bin Bashir (former Legal Consultant to a
Dubai Government department and founder of his own practice). In
total, fifteen
