• Dmitry Dyakin, Partner, DG Partners
• Evgeny Raschevsky, Partner, EPAM
• Faris Nasrallah, Head of Arbitration, Crescent Petroleum
• Paul Key KC, Essex Court Chambers
• Rohit Singhal, CEO, Masin
• Moderator- Himanshu Batra, Associate Partner, Masin

• Niels Schiersing - Arbitration Chambers
• Zach Li – AlixPartners, Young ICCA Regional Representative
• Rohit Bhat - Freshfields, Former Young ICCA, Co-Chair
• Noor Khadim - Kadhims

Alem & Associates invites you to its first-ever Arbitration Quiz & Cocktail Night, held as part of Dubai Arbitration Week 2025.

Think you can tell your UNCITRAL Rules from your DIAC Arbitration, or your governing law from your lex arbitri? Here’s your chance to prove it. Expect lively rounds of arbitration-themed multiple-choice questions spanning landmark cases, global institutions, trivia, and a few surprises. Gather your colleagues, test your arbitration IQ, and enjoy an evening of friendly competition, laughter, and cocktails — all hosted under the quick wit of our quizmasters

This in-person panel will explore how arbitration is evolving to meet the demands of ESG-driven conflicts. Panelists will discuss the types of disputes emerging from ESG obligations, the contractual and interpretative challenges involved, and the implications for damages assessment. The session will also address how arbitration maintains its appeal through confidentiality and efficiency, even as it adapts to new regulatory landscapes and stakeholder expectations.

The discussion will bring together legal experts, arbitrators, and industry professionals to examine arbitration’s role not only as a dispute resolution mechanism but also as a tool to support sustainable development goals. Attendees will gain practical insights into managing ESG risks in contracts, shaping ESG-conscious dispute strategies, and preparing for the future of arbitration in an era of heightened corporate accountability.

Key discussion points include:

• Emerging ESG-related claims in arbitration
• Drafting and interpreting ESG contractual provisions
• The evolving role of arbitrators and counsel in ESG matters
• Confidentiality vs. public interest in ESG disputes
• Arbitration as a driver for sustainability and corporate responsibility
• This session is designed for legal practitioners, in-house counsel, arbitrators, and professionals involved in ESG strategy, compliance, and dispute resolution.

• Mr. Ali Al Aidarous, Managing Attorney, ALAIDAROUS Advocates and Legal Consultants
• Prof. Dr. Ismail Selim, Director of CRCICA, President of IFCAI, Chairman of Ciarb Egypt and Vice-President of AfAA

• Mr. Khaled Saqqaf, Partner - Head of Jordan & Iraq Offices at Al Tamimi & Co.
• Dr. Tarek F. Riad, Managing Partner at Kosheri, Rashed & Riad | Previous Chairman of the Executive Committee at Dubai International Arbitration Center (DIAC)
• Prof. Dr. Mohamed Sameh Amr, Dean-Faculty of Law, Cairo University; Prof. of International Law; Managing Partner-Amr & Partners, Attorney-at-Law; Independent Consultant (Paris), Arbitrator, ICSID Panel of Arbitrators, Former Ambassador to UNESCO
• Prof. Dr. Hadi Slim, Law Professor François-Rabelais University (France)

• What is urgent interim relief and why does it matter?
• Freezing Injunctions and Preservation Orders to prevent dissipation of assets.
• Interim Orders for securing Information about assets.
• Emergency arbitrators – the fast-track solution?
• Courts vs. arbitrators: where to turn for urgent relief.

• What’s changing in construction disputes: new claimants, new structures, new forums
• How private equity ownership reshapes arbitration posture, evidence, and risk appetite
• ICDR insights into the international dispute resolution process
• What general counsel and funders really want from arbitrators and institutions
• Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how dispute resolution strategy must evolve in capital-intensive infrastructure environments, and how the AAA-ICDR’s rules and practice can support effective outcomes in a high-value, multi-party context.

Welcome and introduction of panellists

Panel discussion

Q&A

Networking

The session kicks off with a dynamic overview of key arbitration reforms and emerging trends in each jurisdiction, followed by a live Q&A where our expert panel will address audience-submitted questions. Whether you're navigating cross-border challenges or ensuring local compliance, this is your opportunity to gain direct insights from leading legal minds in these jurisdictions.

• The legal frameworks governing enforcement in key jurisdictions
• Recent case law and its practical implications
• Divergences and commonalities between GCC jurisdictions
• Practical tips for drafting arbitration agreements with enforcement in mind
• Perspectives from practitioners with hands-on experience in navigating multi-jurisdictional enforcement

This event will provide an in-depth examination of the complexities inherent in data centre disputes. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the most prevalent sources of conflict, learn about proactive strategies for early identification and resolution, and explore the latest trends influencing dispute management in this dynamic and fast-evolving industry.

This session will foster an exchange between leading members of the judiciary and arbitration practitioners. Building on RAC’s series of conferences with judiciary members from the MENA region, this session will feature judges from across the MENA region as well as from other key jurisdictions worldwide. By bringing together judges, arbitrators, and legal practitioners from diverse legal systems, we will explore how different courts interact with arbitration - highlighting both regional developments and global trends.

The discussion will address key questions such as:

How do different jurisdictions balance judicial oversight with autonomy of arbitration?

What are the emerging best practices for enforcing arbitral awards and interim measures?

How can courts and arbitrators collaborate more effectively to enhance efficiency and fairness?

• Market update and changes
• The rise of funding in arbitrations
• General principles on costs in arbitration
• Landmark decision in Essar v Norscott
• The Follow-Up: Tenke Fungurume Mining SA v Katanga Contracting Services SAS
• Comparative Institutional and Jurisdictional Approaches
• Arguments for and Against Recovery of TPF Costs
• Implications for Commercial Arbitration
• The Road Ahead: Reform or Clarification?

Key Topics:

• Filing for recognition and enforcement
• Defending against public policy objections
• Setting aside applications and post-award delays
• Navigating practical challenges in enforcement
• The role of local counsel in closing the loop

• 18th EU sanctions package, as well as previous EU sanctions regulations’ impact on arbitration, investment and commercial.
• 2025 court practice of CJEU and national courts of EU Member States, new requests for preliminary ruling to CJEU, (non)-recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards in sanctions disputes.
• 2025 updates in intra-EU BIT arbitrations, inter alia anti-arbitration injunctions, resistance to enforcement of the intra-EU BIT awards, infringement proceedings against EU Member States.

• Indicators of asset dissipation or restructuring during arbitral proceedings
• Complex ownership arrangements, including nominee structures and layered entities
• Misrepresentation of ownership, control, or financial standing
• Tribunal approaches to concealment, dishonesty, and obstructive conduct
• Evidentiary inferences and procedural tools to address opacity
• Cross-border enforcement strategies in cases involving evasive counterparties.

1. The evolving role of expert reports.
2. Judicial examination – the law firm view.
3. Bridging the gap: aligning delay, quantum, and technical reports in complex arbitrations.
4. Fact or advocacy? Navigating objectivity and influence in expert reports. The requirements and expectations of stakeholders.

• Murat Karakas (Moderator), Managing Partner, SW Tenet
• Nikolay Khomyak, Associate Director, SW Tenet
• Anton Kubasov, Director, Forensic, Kept
• Sultan Al Ghafri, Managing Partner K&CO, representing Oman Arbitration Centre
• Mohamed Bahram Al Bulushi, Engineering Partner, A&Co
• Timofey Nosov, Partner, BSA Law
• Dmitry Laverychev, Senior Associate, Pinna Goldberg

• Standard of proof (both during arbitration and in setting-aside/enforcement proceedings). “Red flags” v “smoking guns”. Ethical obligations: when can fraud be pleaded?
• Difference between fraud discovered during the arbitration, raised as a ground for setting-aside or as a defence to enforcement Categories of fraud / illegality
• Procedural fraud during the arbitration
• Confidentiality in major arbitrations involving a State

• Arbitration as tool for resolving cross-border transaction disputes
• The new UAE bankruptcy law in practice
• Resolving disputes in cross-border share purchase agreements Cross-border M&A are among the most thrilling transactions; however, any disputes that arise can be costly and harmful. International arbitration offers neutrality, enforceability across jurisdictions, and confidentiality. However, it also comes with challenges such as higher costs, potential delays, and limited avenues for appeal. Understanding how to resolve disputes efficiently is critical to protecting your investments and business relationships.
• Real-world insights on the UAE bankruptcy law Discover how the new UAE Bankruptcy Law reshapes corporate restructuring and creditor negotiations. We will share first-hand insights from applying the framework, highlighting practical challenges, strategic opportunities, and what businesses, lenders, and advisors must know to navigate insolvency with confidence in today’s evolving regulatory landscape.

For four years, FTI Consulting has organised an annual quiz during Dubai Arbitration Week. Last year’s event was attended by over 130 people from more than 35 different firms. It has quickly become a staple of Dubai Arbitration Week and we are pleased to be returning for our fifth year of quizzing.

This year we will be inviting teams of 6 to join the action.

1. Nasser Al Habsi, Partner, Addleshaw Goddard, Oman
2. Eziz Allamov , VP legal, Aldar, Abu Dhabi, UAE
3. Alexander Leventhal, Partner, Quinn Emanuel, Paris, France
4. Ais Lidzhanova, Partner, Head of Dubai Office , TA Advisory, Dubai, UAE
5. Baptiste Rigaudeau, Partner, Lead up Avocats, Paris

1. Divyam Agarwal, Partner, JSA, New Delhi, India
2. Sana Belaïd, Arbitrator & Mediator, Belaid Advisory & Management Consulting, Dubai UAE
3. Ramy Chahine, Partner, Meltem Avocats, Marseilles, France
4. Laetitia Rabbat, Deputy Counsel, ICC, Abu Dhabi
5. Serena Salem, Counsel, DLA Piper, Paris

The session will address:

The process of obtaining, recognizing, and enforcing interim arbitral awards between the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.

The interplay between the Middle East and the UK in this field.

Whether the process has been simplified in recent years.

How civil law courts in the region are responding to interim arbitral awards, including those from common law jurisdictions such as the UK."

• 13:00–14:00 – Welcome lunch
• 14:00–15:00 – Panel discussion
• 15:00–15:30 – Q&A session
• 15:30–17:00 – Closing cocktail reception

• Amal Bouchenaki (Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills),
• Fatima Malik (Consultant, Office of the Attorney General for Pakistan),
• Cavinder Bull SC (CEO, Drew & Napier LLC),
• Professor Dan Sarooshi KC (Barrister, Essex Court Chambers),
• Dr Umar Oseni (Secretary General, OIC Arbitration Centre).

• Brief overview of the arbitration regime in KSA, key considerations, when deciding whether to arbitrate in KSA,
• Discussion on KSA arbitration institutions, specifically the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration.
• Discussion on features which are unique to KSA, such as the impact of Sharia law on arbitration proceedings and awards.
• Overview of the BIT protection for investments in Saudi Arabia.
• Outlook for regional trends in MENA.

• UAE National Anthem
• Recitation from the Holy Qur’an
• Opening Remarks by:
• HE Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice, Honorary Sponsor of the Conference.
• H.E. Prof. Jassim Ali Salim Alshamsi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the International Islamic Centre for Reconciliation and Arbitration (IICRA).
• Official Launch of Islamic-Based Construction Contract – IBCC 2025:
• Presented by:
• Dr. Rami Sulaiman, Secretary General of the International Islamic Centre for Reconciliation and Arbitration.
• Eng. Dr. Kamal Malas, Chairman of the Model Contract Drafting Committee.
• Signing of Cooperation Agreements

• 09:45 – 10:00 Break and Official Opening of the Conference
• First Session 10:00 – 11:00 AM
• Topic: Essence and Features of a Shari’ah-Compliant Construction Contract
• Chaired by: Dr. Rami Sulaiman Abudagga, General Secretary at the International Islamic Centre for Reconciliation and Arbitration (IICRA)

The panel will delve into managing and resolving such complex conflicts through arbitration, highlighting issues like differing contract standards (e.g. FIDIC conditions for constructions vs. long-term gas/LNG contracts), cultural and legal gaps between civil-law and common-law systems, and the massive claims arising from delays, cost overruns or supply disruptions.

Crucially, the speakers will explore the dispute resolutions tools available in Dubai - from the DIFC's English language commercial courts to modern arbitral institutions like DIAC - and how these can serve as effective alternatives to more familiar venues Italian companies have used in Europe.

This strategic discussion is highly relevant to the region's booming infrastructure and energy sectors, equipping Italian businesses with insight on resolving "mega-disputes" closer to their Gulf operations.

• Panel 1. Navigating Sanctions, Fraud, and Corruption Issues in International Arbitration
• Panel 2. Navigating Multi-jurisdictional Disputes: Anti-Suit Injunctions and U.S. and 1782 Petitions

• Metaverse Arbitration Simulations – Step inside an immersive virtual hearing powered by AI, experiencing how evidence, advocacy, and decision-making evolve in digital space.
• Arbitration Trivia Challenges – Real-time legal quizzes designed to test reflexes and knowledge in a fast-paced, competitive setting.
• Legal Challenge Stations – Practical exercises inviting attendees to draft airtight clauses, assess bias scenarios, and tackle real-world arbitration dilemmas.
• Networking Lounge – An interactive environment to exchange ideas, forge collaborations, and engage with peers shaping the future of arbitration.
• The evening concludes with the Announcement of Contest Winners and Concluding Remarks, celebrating innovation, insight, and collaboration among forward-thinking professionals.

• Arbitrability of Family Business Disputes: Navigating local laws, public policy, and the scope of arbitration clauses in family constitutional documents and shareholder agreements.
• Balancing Confidentiality and Transparency: Why institutional arbitration may be better suited than courts for handling sensitive internal disputes.
• Governance and Succession Planning: How dispute resolution mechanisms are evolving in modern family charters.Enforcement Challenges & Regional Nuances: Lessons from GCC jurisdictions on the recognition and enforcement of awards involving family entities.
• Case Studies: Insights from actual disputes involving family businesses with local activities or or cross-border investments.

• Should arbitration be more streamlined?
• Should oral advocacy in arbitration be more limited?
• Two sides. Sharp arguments. Thought-provoking exchanges. And an excellent chance to connect with colleagues and peers at the networking cocktail session after the debates.
• The debates will bring together Matthew Page (Partner at Habib Al Mulla and Partners), Yury Babichev (Partner at ALUMNI Partners), Eva Valter (Senior Associate at Pinna Goldberg) and Oleg Volodin (Partner and Founder at Resolut).

A highly curated community gathering for drinks and food on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa for an evening of connecting and networking with esteemed individuals from across sectors.

Due to strict capacity, this reception is invite-only. Registration will only be approved for individuals who received an official invitation from the host.

• What are the “usual” commercial contractual provisions and other doctrines engaged – are they fit for purpose?
• Is this new era leading to greater scrutiny of and challenges to arbitrators?
• Are Parties choosing different seats? Should they?
• To what extent are sanctions having an effect on arbitration proceedings?
• What are the challenges for the Institutions and are they responding to them?
• How are the domestic Courts supporting arbitration –do anti-suit injunctions work?

• The DAB process in practice 
• Parties Conduct in Dispute Resolution
• Hot tubbing v single cross examination
• Risk and Change Management
• Defects: From Snags to Showdowns.

Some of the topics we will discuss include: What are the most common causes of disputes on major construction projects and how can they be avoided from the outset?

• How important is initial contract structure in dispute resolution and what clauses are often overlooked?
• What early warnings should project managers watch to detect a potential dispute before it escalates?
• What role can documentation play when defending claims or enforcing entitlements?
• How effective are Dispute Adjudication Boards or standing boards in resolving issue quickly?
• What are the most common points of contention when it comes to technical experts in construction disputes? How are issues such as disruption and concurrent delays usually handled?
• Is it possible to agree on time-bar provisions under domestic law? Are such clauses enforceable? Does a DAB procedure interrupt the statute of limitations? How Middle East legislation deal with this point?
• What are the legal procedures for suing government entities in the Middle East, and what enforcement challenges arise?

• Session 1: Enforcement of Arbitration Awards in the DIFC Courts
• Exploring recent developments in the enforcement of arbitration awards, with emphasis on Carmon v Cuenda [2024] DIFC CA 003 and other DIFC Court decisions. The session will address enforcement strategy, asset recovery, and cross-border recognition of awards.
• Session 2: Maximising financial recovery from construction claims through arbitration
• Focusing on strategic approaches to recovering financial claims in complex construction disputes. Topics include claim consolidation, procedural tactics, and the use of pleadings vs memorials.

Part I – In Respect of Public International Law:
This section outlines the international legal framework governing transparency in treaty-based arbitration, focusing on key instruments like the UNCITRAL Rules on Transparency and the Mauritius Convention (Entered into force 2017), as well as provisions in modern investment treaties. It examines how transparency obligations interact with principles like state sovereignty and public interest, raising questions about the limits of transparency versus domestic confidentiality and sensitive information.

Part II – In Respect of International Investment:
This part analyzes confidentiality and transparency within investor–state contracts and disputes. It highlights legitimate reasons for confidentiality (e.g., trade secrets, state security) while acknowledging challenges to accountability in matters of public interest. The section reviews recent arbitral cases balancing these interests and notes a trend toward treaties that promote transparency while protecting sensitive data.

Part III – In Respect of Private International Law:
Focusing on private law, this section explores how contractual confidentiality clauses and procedural rules affect transparency. It discusses the impact of governing law and arbitration seat on confidentiality standards and how public international treaty obligations may override private agreements, especially in disputes involving both public and private concerns. It highlights the delicate balance that parties and tribunals must maintain between transparency and confidentiality.

Overall Objective:
Through these three perspectives, the panel aims to provide a nuanced and comparative understanding of the dichotomy between confidentiality and transparency in treaty-based investment contracts. It will offer insights into the legal foundations, policy considerations, and procedural strategies that can help reconcile these competing imperatives, ensuring both the protection of legitimate private interests and the promotion of trust in the international dispute resolution system

• Optimizing efficiency in arbitration
• What to look for when choosing the seat of arbitration in MENA and beyond
• Developments in arbitration institutions in MENA (DIAC, SCCA etc)
• Enforcement of award in the MENA region
• The integration of technology and AI in arbitrations

• Ignore it
• Just challenge jurisdiction
• Employ a full-scale litigation,

• Chance to win
• Obligations before the third parties (e.g. insurance companies)
• Availability of investment arbitration vs Russia / need to create the track record of attempts to get access to justice in Russia
• Assets / affiliates in Russia
• Bankruptcy in Russia and its implications for the business outside of Russia
• Parallel proceedings in different jurisdictions and starting arbitration proceedings
• Anti-suit and anti-enforcement injunctions – benefits and perils of the “war of injunctions” and remedies available in the UAE courts
• Enforcement of Russian judgments in the UAE

Arbitration is widely regarded as a neutral and independent form of dispute resolution. However, the process by which arbitrators are selected often involves significant networking, business development, and referrals, raising important questions about the true independence of arbitrators. This session will explore whether arbitrators, knowingly or unknowingly, may carry subconscious biases linked to the parties who nominate them. Is it possible for arbitrators to remain entirely impartial when their appointment stems from established business relationships and personal networks?

The session will feature a panel discussion with experienced arbitrators who will share their personal insights into the appointment process, challenges of maintaining independence, and their own experiences with biases. Additionally, a behavioral psychologist will address the psychological aspects behind such biases and the impact of business and social connections on decision-making in arbitration.

Key Discussion Points:

The role of networking, referrals, and business development in arbitrator appointments.

The subconscious biases that might influence an arbitrator’s impartiality.

Can arbitrators be truly independent, or are there inherent influences that shape their decision-making?

Psychological insights into the business relationships that define arbitrator appointments.

Balancing professional independence with the realities of the arbitration business.

Format:

Introduction: Brief overview of the topic and key questions.

Panel Discussion: A moderated discussion with a panel of arbitrators sharing their personal experiences and perspectives.

Expert Commentary: A behavioral psychologist will present insights into the psychological aspects of arbitrator independence.

Q&A Session: An interactive session where attendees can pose questions to the panel.

Target Audience:

This event is ideal for legal professionals, arbitrators, lawyers, in-house counsel, academics, and behavioral experts involved in arbitration or dispute resolution.

Join Reed Smith for a rare opportunity for in-house counsel to hear directly from seasoned arbitrators in the Middle East about the inner workings of tribunals. This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at what influences arbitral decision-making - beyond the legal arguments. With a focus on how in-house strategy, coordination, and communication shape the outcome of cases, the panel will shed light on the most common pitfalls and overlooked opportunities from the tribunal's perspective.

Topics will include:

• Behind-the-scenes perspectives on advocacy and credibility:
• Arbitrators discuss what makes a party’s position persuasive, and how procedural conduct influences decision-making.
• What frustrates tribunals:
• Overly aggressive tactics by counsel
• Incoherent presentation of arguments, repetition, and excessive length of submissions
• Poor organisation of documents and evidence
• Underprepared or overly coached witnesses
• Inconsistent messaging or delayed decisions
• Failure to tailor submissions to the tribunal
• How to brief external counsel more effectively:
• What to prioritise internally before external instructions are issued
• How to handle weaknesses in the case
• How to present the case file coherently and strategically
• Managing privilege and document flow without chaos
• The panel discussion will be followed by a series of rapid-fire mini debates, each exploring both sides of key questions that often divide counsel and tribunals:
• Does aggressive advocacy help or hinder a party’s credibility?
• Can the testimony of fact witnesses meaningfully influence the tribunal’s final decision?
• Do dilatory or guerrilla tactics ever produce strategic advantages—or do they backfire?

As trade winds change direction, moving west to east, it is unsurprising to see international arbitration in places outside North America and Europe. The traditional arbitration centres of Paris and London now compete with Singapore, Dubai, and others from Asia and beyond.

In a sense, we have been here before, some of the earliest trading between civilisations, over 4000 years ago, was between the Indus Valley Civilisation in the Indian Subcontinent with the Mesopotamians. Well before the Portuguese ships arrived in India in the 17th century, during the Abbasid dynasty (8th-12th centuries), Arab traders used the alternating monsoon winds to navigate the Indian Ocean; hence, their name derives from the Arabic word “Mausam” for the weather. During the 9th and 12th centuries, Arab and Persian merchants traded with East African coastal states, with ships plying the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf, bringing import and export goods between the East Indies, China, India, the Arab Lands, Persia, and East Africa. It was a time of great contact between cultures, during which some 37 city-states emerged in what is now Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique.

Not too far away north, on land, along the Silk Road, Persian, Chinese, Arab, Armenian, and Russian traders and missionaries travelled the Silk Road, and in 1335 a Mongol mission to the Pope at Avignon confirmed increased trade and cultural contacts.

But today’s trade goes beyond diverse geographical dynamics, occurring in an increasingly digital space cutting across traditional boundaries.

Looking ahead, what does this mean for the resolution of disputes by international arbitration – and what will the UAE’s role be in this evolving landscape. Join SADRC for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities the changing arbitration landscape brings to the UAE and beyond.