The annual summit of the Court of Arbitration in Abu Dhabi reviews the future of the dispute settlement system
ABU DHABI, 4th February, 2018 (WAM) – The Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Center concluded the annual Court of Arbitration Summit, which was held in conjunction with the activities of the “Twenty-Seventh International Arbitration Day” of the International Bar Association. The summit reviewed the full composition of the Court of Arbitration, which includes an elite group of internationally recognized legal experts and arbitrators from various parts of the world. The court provided the attendees with the opportunity to closely view the court’s work mechanisms and procedures, in addition to learning about the work method of the court and the case management office, in the presence of Ms. Maria Shadid, President of the Arbitration Court, and Ms. Maria Mazawi, Registrar of the Center.
The summit brought together a distinguished elite of senior judges, prominent international arbitration practitioners, decision-makers and business leaders from within the UAE and around the world. It highlighted the growing role of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as a leading regional and global center for dispute resolution.
His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre, said that hosting the summit in Abu Dhabi sends a clear message to the global business community that the emirate not only provides a vibrant investment environment, but also possesses an integrated legal framework that keeps pace with modern commercial developments and supports the stability of transactions, while preserving long-term commercial interests.
He added that we at the Center believe that such intellectual and institutional platforms constitute an essential foundation for enhancing confidence, attracting quality investments, and supporting sustainable economic growth.
For her part, Maria Shedid said: “The annual summit reflects the advanced level of institutional development and momentum achieved by the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Center, and the pivotal role played by the Arbitration Court in establishing the highest standards of independence, efficiency and excellence in the management and settlement of disputes.”
She added: “The meeting of this large and distinguished number of participants in Abu Dhabi sends a clear message that the emirate has consolidated its position as a dynamic global platform for the prevention and settlement of disputes efficiently and effectively.”
For his part, Gary Bourne, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Center, said: “The annual summit confirmed the Centre’s development, which reflects the rapid institutional progress it has made over the past two years towards consolidating its position as a leading global center for resolving disputes in accordance with the highest international standards of independence and procedural efficiency.”
The Center started the year 2025 strong, as at the beginning of the year it won the Global Arbitration Review (GAR) award for the most attention-grabbing arbitration institution, after achieving qualitative steps in its first year, which included forming a distinguished arbitration court and appointing a registrar and a new president of the court.
The summit also highlighted the Center’s most prominent achievements during the year 2025, which represented a turning point in its institutional journey, as the number of cases registered with the Center increased by 30% during the year 2025, which reflects the growing level of confidence in the Center among the business community and their legal advisors.
The Center also expanded its case management team during 2025, by appointing a new registrar, Ms. Maria Mazzawi, in addition to appointing two new legal advisors, Mr. Peter Barna and Mr. Ramzi Haddad. These appointments reflect the Centre’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its institutional capabilities and raising the level of operational excellence.
The Center also issued the official Arabic version of the Arbitration Rules (2024), and made its website entirely available in Arabic, confirming its commitment to enhancing ease of access at the regional and international levels. These steps contribute to enhancing inclusiveness, improving the availability of services to Arabic-speaking users, and supporting the center’s goal of establishing the principles of transparency and ease of use and enabling effective participation in the procedures it administers.
The Center launched the Mediation Rules for the year 2026 and the Rules for Appointing a Party to Settle Disputes for the year 2026, confirming its commitment to preventing disputes and encouraging their settlement at early stages. The additions contribute to expanding the scope of services provided by the center, and enhancing its role as an integrated, flexible and cost-effective center for dispute resolution, serving users in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
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