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10 - 14 NOVEMBER 2025

Venue: Waldorf Astoria - DIFC - Al Mustaqbal Street

Disputes in Motion: UAE / Dubai’s Role in Resolving Transport-related Conflicts.

With the UAE’s rise as both a global logistics and trade hub and a preferred holding-company domicile, Dubai has become a focal forum for the resolution of transport-related disputes. This session explores the region’s expanding role in resolving such disputes through arbitration and court proceedings, including the growing impact of sanctions compliance on performance, payment flows, and risk allocation.

Panelists will examine recent legal reforms, enforcement practices, and jurisdictional challenges within the UAE, and will discuss best practices on drafting transport contracts, conducting early case assessments, and deploying urgent remedies (such as vessel arrest, freezing orders, and disclosure orders) in transport disputes.

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.

E L W I x Enyo Law x One Essex Court | Panel Discussion & Networking Drinks

In collaboration, E L W I, Enyo Law and One Essex Court invite you to a panel discussion on anti-suit injunctions in the wake of UniCredit v RusChemAlliance
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The event will provide firsthand practical insights into the challenges posed by competing jurisdictions and highlight opportunities for practitioners navigating complex cross-border disputes.

Fine drinks and exclusive networking will follow the discussion at Waldorf’s rooftop terrace.

The Perfect Storm: General Counsel’s Playbook to Navigating a Crisis

An exclusive dinner for General Counsel held at one of Dubai’s best restaurants, The Artisan at the Waldorf Astoria, addressing key trends that impact business today. Our panel comprising Vanessa Medina, Senior Legal Counsel at Masdar and other in-house speakers will touch on geopolitics, trade wars, increased regulatory burden, natural resource nationalisation amongst other topics. Our hosts, Bora Rawcliffe and Kate Jackson-McGill KC will facilitate peer-to-peer discussion. Our disputes and white collar defense teams will share experience and war stories to armor our guests with tools to navigate any crisis.

What lies beneath the surface of AI and the other technology that is changing our lives?

Join our experienced panel for a discussion on the disputes that arise when constructing and operating the infrastructure and energy that enables the technology that we rely on every day – the data centres, physical networks and IT systems, and the energy sources that power them. The panel will also examine the key regulatory and compliance risks that arise for technology providers and end-users that relate to the information flows enabled by this infrastructure under UAE law, including the UAE Cybercrime law.

Dubai International Arbitration Centre Symposium

10am-10.45am Registration and networking
10.45am-11am Opening remarks

Jehad Kazim
Executive Director, Dubai International Arbitration Centre
11am-11.15am Launch

Robert Stephen
Registrar, Dubai International Arbitration Centre

Raymond Bentick
Chief Product Officer, Opus 2
11.15am-11.45am Fireside chat

Tariq Khan
Head of International Arbitration, M&CO Legal

Dr Michael Pryles AO PBM
President, DIAC Arbitration Court and Independent Arbitrator
11.45am-1pm Panel 1: Emerging technologies in arbitration: Safeguarding due process

  1. Prof Emilia Onyema-Member, DIAC Arbitration Court; Member, Jus Mundi Advisory Board; Professor, International Commercial Law, SOAS University of London
  2. Nadia Nicolaou-Head of Arbitral Institutions, Opus 2
  3. Jean-Rémi de Maistre Co-founder and CEO Jus Mundi
  4. Antonia Birt-Partner Reed Smith LLP
  5. Christoffer Coello Hedberg-Deputy Registrar, Dubai International Arbitration Centre

Moderator

Dr Rouven F Bodenheimer
Member, DIAC Arbitration Court and Founding Partner, Bodenheimer
1pm-2pm Lunch and networking
2pm-3.15pm Panel 2: Boardroom perspectives: Managing challenges and mitigating commercial risks

  1. Benjamin Hopps-Senior Disputes Counsel, Emirates Global Aluminum
  2. Faris Nasrallah-Head of Arbitration, Crescent Petroleum
  3. Mehak Oberoi-Legal Head Hydro Power, GE Vernova

Moderator

Erin Miller Rankin
Vice President, DIAC Arbitration Court and Partner, Freshfields
3.15pm-3.45pm Coffee and networking
3.45pm-5pm Panel 3: Changing global landscapes: Tariffs, investments and the future of arbitration in the Middle East

  1. Kunal Vijani-Joint Managing Partner, Fox & Mandal
  2. Vsevolod Taraskin-Partner, Dyakin, Gortsunyan Partners
  3. Mahnaz Malik-Barrister and Arbitrator, Twenty Essex Chambers
  4. Vladimir Khvalei-Partner, Mansors
  5. Johannes Koepp-Partner, Baker Botts LLP

Moderator

Anne K Hoffmann
Independent Arbitrator
5pm Closing remarks

Christopher Coello Hedberg
Deputy Registrar, Dubai International Arbitration Centre

Ciarb UAE Branch Event

This in-person event explores whether modern arbitration is advancing or losing momentum. Join us and leading figures from Ciarb, top practitioners, experts, and arbitral institutions for a dynamic discussion on the trends reshaping dispute resolution. We will explore what’s driving increased contention, what it means for the future of arbitration, and how to strike the right balance between fairness and efficiency.

Investor-State Disputes in the Middle East: Recent Developments under the OIC Agreement; New Regional and UAE BITs

We are delighted to invite you to our lunch and panel discussion hosted by international law firm Laborde Law, with offices in Dubai, Paris, and Belgrade. This session will provide expert insights into Investor-State Dispute Settlement in the Middle East, focusing on recent developments under the OIC Agreement, as well as new regional, UAE, and Palestinian BITs.

Join us at Waldorf Astoria DIFC, where lunch and drinks will be served before and after the event. Online attendance is also available.

Programme:

  • 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

Moderator:
Gustavo Laborde, Founding Partner (Laborde Law)

Speakers:

  • 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).