Dubai International Arbitration Centre

Dubai International Arbitration Centre ("DIAC") is an autonomous, permanent, non-profit institution. Located on the 14th floor of the magnificent glass quarters of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry ("DCCI"), the Centre provides the regional and international business communities with an exclusive service at affordable rates.

DIAC was created as a means to supply facilities for conducting commercial arbitration, promoting the settlement of disputes by arbitration, as well as developing a pool of arbitrators in the practice of international arbitration. As an institutional arbitration centre, its outlook is to provide efficient, flexible and impartial administration of disputes, appointing arbitrators, choosing a venue and fixing fees of arbitrators and conciliators. DIAC selects arbitrators of the highest ability and professional competence. Information in relation to arbiters and mediators, of different nationalities and varied legal backgrounds, can also be obtained from the Centre. DIAC also keeps a directory of experts, who are highly recognized for their diverse knowledge and practical experience in their respective fields.

As an ultra-modern establishment, it houses the latest facilities and equipment, to host a variety of arbitration proceedings. These include spacious hearing rooms with adjacent retiring rooms, fiber optic network with a full range of electronic services including internet and email access, provision for video conferencing and simultaneous translation services.

Functions / Activities / Services

Membership:

The Dubai International Arbitration Centre ("DIAC") is pleased to announce a new membership opportunity. Through this membership, professionals interested in the field of international commercial dispute resolution can now become associated with DIAC as an Associate Member. All DIAC Associate Members will be able enjoy a clear set of advantages which include, however are not limited to, the following: professional development courses and exclusive educational workshops, networking opportunities; exclusive access to a membership directory, priority of publication in the DIAC journal Arbitration in the Middle East; an annual Gala Dinner, and more.

Training Courses:

In keeping with its aim of promoting arbitration within the Middle East, the Dubai International Arbitration Centre ("DIAC") organises bilingual training courses. The courses are structured to inform attending delegates about the widespread use of arbitration for resolving disputes in international business and economic transactions through a series of lectures and interactive workshops.

The DIAC holds 2 courses each year, whereby the first one takes place in April, while the other takes place in November. The recent courses organised by the Centre were done in collaboration with the King's College, London and the Lebanese University, Beirut. These courses provided an introduction to commercial arbitration for issues under international settings, as well as provided techniques for handling such cases. The lecturers were comprised of distinguished names in the world of Arbitration. The courses were attended by delegates from the UAE, GCC and other Arab countries.

Conferences:

Dubai International Arbitration Centre ("DIAC") organises numerous roundtable discussions, international conferences, seminars and workshops on different aspects of arbitration.

DIAC organises two successful international conferences yearly in cooperation with international top organisations specialized in commercial arbitration in different fields (construction, maritime, oil & Gas,...) DIAC has previously organised conferences in cooperation with FIDIC, ICC, ICCA, UIA, GMAA, AIPN and etc. DIAC hosts annual meetings for some of the international arbitration organisations like: ICCA and IBLC.

In addition to this, DIAC is playing an active role in developing UAE law in relation to arbitration and further bridging the gap between arbitration and the judicial system.

Journal:

The Dubai International Arbitration Centre ("DIAC") is publishing a quarterly journal "DIAC Journal - Arbitration in the Middle East". It is an English-Arabic publication, which primarily focuses upon alternative dispute resolutions within the United Arab Emirates, GCC and other Arab countries. The DIAC Journal will offer readers an inside perspective of the modernization of national laws and policies in the Middle East.

DIAC Journal features a wide range of articles on dispute resolution in the Middle East. Distributed internationally, the main aim behind the DIAC Journal is to offer readers an inside perspective of the national laws and policies within the Arab countries. As one of the leading legal resources in the region, this journal includes articles by well-renowned professionals in the field of arbitration and ADR.

The journal is distributed to wide range of subscribers world wide.

Arbitrators:

DIAC regularly updates its lists of highly-skilled national and international arbitrators experienced in different fields of trade and business. Arbitrators and experts are carefully selected before they are appointed to conduct a case. Parties choosing to arbitrate under the DIAC rules may verify the experience and educational background of the proposed arbitrator at the start of a case.

New Rules:
The Dubai International Arbitration Centre has begun applying the new arbitration rules to all disputes referred for arbitration in accordance with DIAC rules. The new rules have been issued by Decree No. (11) 2007 upon their approval, and their issuance in the Official Gazette, no. 321 - year (41) on May 7th, 2007. These new rules are considered one of the most modern and developed set of international arbitration rules, due to its inclusion of the best arbitration practices, followed by the top arbitration centers worldwide. These rules are based upon intensive research that was done and approved by the DIAC Board of Trustees, which in itself consists of distinguished arbitrators specializing in the field of international commercial arbitration. The draft was then discussed with the legal department of the Rulers Office, by which it was established through Decree No. (11) 2007, with the approval of the Ruler of Dubai on the 6th of May 2007. The rules came into effect on the date of its publication.

The new DIAC arbitration rules now replace the once applicable Rules of Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry No. (2) Of 1994. The latter was applicable to all arbitration cases since 1994 and will continue to be applied to all cases registered with the DIAC before 7 May 2007.

Contact Details

Website

www.diac.ae