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10 - 14 NOVEMBER 2025

Schedules: Morning

Mediation of IS Disputes: Opportunities, Challenges, Future Prospects

topics to be explored include:

The fundamentals of a mediation process

The advantages of mediation in the ISDS context

Obstacles and challenges, including balancing transparency v. confidentiality and addressing issues of authority

Best practice in mediator selection (and the increasing trend for co-mediation)

The political, legislative and institutional landscape (including the Singapore Convention on Mediation)

Practical insights from counsel, mediators and clients on optimizing mediation for investment disputes

Whether you are an investor representative, host state representative, legal counsel, or dispute resolution professional, this panel will provide valuable insights into making mediation a more effective tool in ISDS. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with thought leaders shaping the future of investor-state mediation.

Networking Breakfast Hosted by Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre TAHKEEM

Networking Breakfast Hosted by Sharjah Arbitration Centre “TAHKEEM”

Join us for an insightful and engaging Networking Breakfast hosted by the Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre (TAHKEEM) — a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders, legal professionals, and key stakeholders from across the arbitration and business communities.

This event provides an informal setting to foster meaningful dialogue, explore collaboration opportunities, and discuss the latest trends and developments in commercial arbitration. Attendees will gain valuable insights into TAHKEEM’s initiatives, services, and vision for advancing alternative dispute resolution both locally and internationally.

Much Ado About Enforcement

With Dubai becoming an ever increasingly key centre of business for both English and Indian companies, it is imperative that businesses understand the ability to enforce judgments and awards between the respective jurisdictions. This presentation will look at the practical steps needed to allow enforcement in England & Wales, India and the DIFC from experienced practitioners as well as provide an overview of what ancillary measures may be obtained in aid of such enforcement.

Arbitration Auction: Bidding for the Future of Dispute Resolution

Step into an immersive auction-framed debate where the lots up for bid are thought-provoking ideas for the future of arbitration. In this interactive session, the audience will take the role of bidders while leading arbitration centers present their visions for practical innovations in the field. The event will conclude with a networking reception.
Supported by Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty.

Resolving disputes in the new age of geoeconomics

In this session we examine the impact of the new age of geoeconomics on contract performance and dispute resolution.

Disputes coming out of COVID and government lockdown are still going through the arbitration process. More recently there have been territorial invasions and conflicts with the related imposition of sanctions and counter-sanctions, the imposition of tariffs, inflation and the continuing problems of climate change.

Against this rapidly evolving backdrop companies need to re-appraise their risk appetite. The after effects will be felt for some time. The issues to be discussed include

  • 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?

AI in Arbitration: Current Applications and the Path to Transformation?

The discussion will include:

How should arbitrators deal with AI in their procedural orders.

Efficiency gains from AI:

Client perspective – cost reductions

Law firm perspective:

Does it change the billable hour model?

Passing on costs of AI

Training for junior lawyers

Responsible use of AI

Issue spotting

Using AI in the lifecycle of a dispute

What are the tools?

What are the use cases?

Proper prompting

Experts – what are the use cases?

What does the future of AI look like in disputes?

AI Agents? What are they capable of

 

Moderator:
Rodrigo Carè – Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants, Young ICCA Regional Representative

Speakers:

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

GAR Live Dubai 2025

Global Arbitration Review is delighted to announce the return of GAR Live: Dubai, taking place during Dubai Arbitration Week on 12 November 2025.

Join us in one of the world’s major global arbitration hubs for a day of thought-provoking discussions, practical insights and engaging exchanges on the evolving landscape of international arbitration.

With over 200 leading practitioners from across the UAE and wider MENA region expected to attend, GAR Live: Dubai offers a platform to share experiences, build connections and strengthen your professional networking. Enjoy more than 3 hours of dedicated networking time in a vibrant and collaborative setting.

Routes to Justice: Strategies at the Crossroads of Criminal, Civil, and Arbitral Disputes

Horizons & Co joins Peters & Peters for Routes to Justice Strategies at the Crossroads of Criminal, Civil, and Arbitral Disputes during Dubai Arbitration Week.

Disputes today rarely stay in one lane. Criminal, civil and arbitral proceedings often collide, raising tough questions on strategy, timing and client protection.

This practical session explores how these different routes overlap, how to manage parallel proceedings effectively, and how to make smart tactical choices that can shape the outcome. Expect candid insights, real case lessons and an open discussion on what really works and what does not when justice paths intersect.

Arbitration in Waste Management Sector Disputes

The waste management sector is integral to safeguarding public health, preserving the environment, and advancing sustainable development goals. As the sector expands, contractual frameworks have become increasingly complex, encompassing activities such as waste collection, transportation, treatment, recycling, and disposal.

This complexity, coupled with the sector’s technical and environmental dimensions, often gives rise to disputes between public authorities, private operators, contractors, and suppliers. Common areas of contention include contract performance, delays, technical compliance, adherence to environmental standards, and settlement of financial obligations.

Arbitration serves as a highly effective dispute resolution mechanism in this context, offering confidentiality, procedural flexibility, and the possibility of appointing arbitrators with sector-specific technical and environmental expertise. Such tailored adjudication ensures outcomes that are not only legally robust but also attuned to the operational realities of waste management.

This roundtable—jointly organized by the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA) and ALAIDAROUS Advocates and Legal Consultants—will bring together legal experts, industry stakeholders, and arbitration practitioners to explore key trends, challenges, and best practices in resolving waste management disputes through arbitration.

Welcome remarks

  • 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

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Georges Affaki, CCEF, C.Arb, FCIArb Professeur des universités associé Partner, Avocat à la Cour

Speakers:

  • 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)