ArbitrateAD Annual Court Summit Highlights Abu Dhabi As A Global Dispute Resolution Hub
The Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre’s Annual Court Summit, held alongside the 27th International Arbitration Day of the International Bar Association, highlighted arbitrateAD’s growth as a dispute resolution hub. Discussions showed how the Centre’s expanding caseload, new rules for mediation and adjudication, and Arabic language services are shaping Abu Dhabi’s role in regional and global commercial arbitration.
The event was led by Maria Chedid, President of the arbitrateAD Court of Arbitration, and Registrar Maria Mazzawi. The full Court of Arbitration appeared together, presenting a detailed look at how the Court and the Case Management Office operate. Senior judges, international arbitration specialists, policymakers, and business leaders from the UAE and other jurisdictions attended.
Dr. Ali Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre, linked the Summit to Abu Dhabi’s investment environment and regulatory framework. Dr. Ali Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri said hosting in the Emirate signals stability for commercial parties and supports confidence in the legal infrastructure available to investors and contracting parties across key sectors.
He said, "At the Centre, we firmly believe that such intellectual and institutional platforms constitute a cornerstone for strengthening confidence, attracting high-quality investments, and supporting sustainable economic growth." The statement aligned with the Summit’s message that reliable arbitrateAD dispute resolution services are now part of Abu Dhabi’s wider economic proposition for international and regional businesses.
During the Summit, the Court shared insights into how cases are administered and supervised, emphasising procedural efficiency and independence. Maria Chedid stated, "This Annual Summit reflects the advanced level of institutional development and momentum achieved by arbitrateAD and the pivotal role played by the Court of Arbitration in upholding the highest standards of independence, efficiency, and excellence in the administration and resolution of disputes."
Expanding on the message, Chedid stressed that audience engagement at the Summit illustrates confidence in arbitrateAD dispute resolution. She added, "The gathering of such a large and distinguished audience in Abu Dhabi sends a clear message that the Emirate has emerged as a dynamic global platform for efficient and effective dispute avoidance and dispute resolution."
arbitrateAD dispute resolution growth, awards and caseload data
Gary Born, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre, linked the Summit’s outcomes to recent institutional progress. Gary Born said, "The Annual Summit confirmed the Centre’s development, reflecting the rapid institutional progress it has achieved in the past two years towards establishing itself as a leading global hub for dispute resolution with the highest international standards of independence, and procedural efficiency."
In early 2025, the Centre received the Global Arbitration Review Award for Arbitral Institution That Impressed, recognising its first year. GAR noted that this followed "after it made great strides in its first year, including the formation of an impressive arbitration court and its appointment of a new registrar and chairperson." This recognition supports confidence in arbitrateAD dispute resolution among practitioners.
The Centre reported that 2025 marked a defining phase in its institutional development, with a 30 percent increase in caseload reflecting growing trust from parties and legal advisers. To support this workload, the Case Management team expanded, appointing Registrar Maria Mazzawi and Legal Counsel Peter Barna and Ramzi Haddad, signalling further investment in arbitrateAD dispute resolution capacity and day-to-day operations.
| Year | Key arbitrateAD dispute resolution developments |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Issue of 2024 Arbitration Rules and preparation of official Arabic version |
| 2025 | 30% caseload increase; GAR award; expansion of Case Management team |
| 2026 | Introduction of Mediation Rules and Adjudicator Appointment Rules |
arbitrateAD dispute resolution accessibility and new rules framework
Language access formed an important theme. The Centre issued an official Arabic version of its 2024 Arbitration Rules and made its website fully accessible in Arabic. These measures broaden access for Arabic speaking users, align with regional expectations, and are intended to improve transparency and user experience in arbitrateAD dispute resolution proceedings across sectors.
Looking ahead, the Centre introduced its 2026 Mediation Rules and 2026 Adjudicator Appointment Rules, signalling a stronger focus on early settlement and dispute avoidance. These instruments broaden arbitrateAD dispute resolution services beyond arbitration alone, offering users in Abu Dhabi and other jurisdictions flexible, cost conscious options tailored to different stages of commercial disagreement.
Collectively, the Summit discussions, institutional upgrades, language initiatives, and new rules show how the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre is shaping arbitrateAD dispute resolution as a comprehensive service offering. The developments recorded for 2024, 2025, and 2026 underline Abu Dhabi’s position as a practical venue for managing commercial risk and resolving disputes under recognised international standards.
With inputs from WAM
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