Arbitration and ADR

The Commission on Arbitration and ADR is  and ICC’s rule-making body,  unique think tank and leading global body of experts in the field of international dispute resolution.

About the Commission

The Commission on Arbitration and ADR is ICC’s rule-making body and unique think tank in the field of international dispute resolution. The commission drafts and revises the various ICC rules for dispute resolution, including the ICC Rules of Arbitration, the ICC ADR Rules, the ICC Dispute Board Rules, and the ICC Rules for Expertise. In its research capacity, it proposes new policies in the interest of efficient and cost-effective dispute resolution and provides useful tools for the conduct of dispute resolution. It also produces reports and guidelines on legal, procedural and practical aspects of dispute resolution, which are published regularly in electronic format, in the ICC Bulletin , or in separate booklets.

The commission provides for a global forum of around 1000 members coming from more than 92 countries including lawyers, in-house counsel, arbitrators, mediators, law professors and experts in various dispute resolution fields. All contribute to ensure that ICC dispute resolution services adapt to the legislative and technological developments. The specific work of the commission is often carried out in smaller task forces. The commission holds two plenary sessions per year at which proposed rules, reports and guidelines are discussed, debated, and voted upon.

ICC UAE works closely with the ICC Court and the ICC Centre for ADR, the commission drafts and revises the International Chamber of Commerce’s comprehensive range of rules for dispute resolution:

      • ICC Rules of Arbitration
      • Rules of ICC as Appointing Authority
      • ICC Mediation Rules
      • ICC Dispute Board Rules
      • ICC Expert Rules
      • ICC DOCDEX Rules

More information about ICC’s Arbitration Commission can be found here.

Mandate

As a forum for pooling ideas on issues relating to international arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution, the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR aims to:

    • Draft and revise ICC’s Arbitration, Mediation, Expert, Dispute Board Rules and other forms of dispute resolution rules.
    • Study the juridical and other aspects of arbitration and alternative modes of international dispute settlement, and examine them in view of current developments.
    • Provide reports, guidelines and best practices on a range of topics of current relevance to the world of arbitration and ADR, with a view to improving ICC dispute resolution services.
    • Create a link among arbitrators, counsel and users to enable ICC dispute resolution to respond effectively to users’ needs.
    • Promote ICC’s various dispute resolution services in the UAE.

Leading Dispute Resolution worldwide

In an increasingly tumultuous trade environment where access to justice and the rule of law are key to ensuring business continuity, ICC Dispute Resolution Services facilitate the resolution of commercial disputes with unmatched levels of service.

ICC DRS offers a range of services to promote the continuity of global trade by helping commercial parties avoid, manage and resolve their disputes efficiently.

Dispute Resolution Services, including ICC Arbitration and dispute avoidance tools, ensure that when disputes arise, they are resolved quickly and efficiently. This allows parties to focus on their core business priorities with complete peace of mind, thanks to cost and process transparency, security and confidentiality.

How DRS works

To resolve disputes effectively and efficiently, businesses need a fair process and equal access to justice. Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms give parties fast, predictable, cost effective and efficient access to justice which is why businesses include arbitration and ADR clauses in their commercial contracts.

ICC DRS offers a wide choice of customisable services for every stage of a dispute, from the services offered by the ICC International Centre for ADR (mediation, experts, dispute boards and docdex) to ICC Arbitration, delivered by the most trusted institution  worldwide: the ICC International Court of Arbitration.  ICC’s range of administered procedures can be used separately, successively or even concurrently as an alternative to litigation for resolving domestic and international disputes.

ICC Arbitration is a process guided by the ICC Rules of Arbitration. ICC’s globally accessible and completely neutral services are available to anyone, from individuals and private sector enterprises to states and state entities. Anyone can benefit from ICC Arbitration’s flexibility and effectiveness. The only requirement for a party to be able to benefit from ICC Arbitration is to consent to its use in a contract, treaty or separate arbitration agreement. This is usually provided for before a dispute arises, but may also occur after the dispute has taken place.

The International Court of Arbitration is the world’s leading arbitral institution. Since 1923, ICC has been helping to resolve disputes in international commercial and investment disputes.

Unrivalled in experience and expertise, the ICC Court and its Secretariat are always ready to assist parties and arbitral tribunals with any questions relating to the conduct of the arbitration and strive to ensure ICC awards are enforceable. The Court’s Secretariat, with over 100 lawyers and support personnel, operating through offices in Paris, Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, Sao Paolo, and Abu Dhabi administers cases in any chosen language. It continuously seeks to improve efficiency, control time and costs, and aid enforcement by introducing innovative new arbitration tools and procedures. This ongoing focus makes certain that ICC is always in touch with the concerns and interests of trading partners throughout the world.

ICC Documents:

 

ICC Rules of Arbitration (please hyperlink here:
https://iccwbo.org/dispute-resolution/dispute-resolution-services/arbitration/rules-procedure/2021-arbitration-rules/

ICC Mediation Rules

https://iccwbo.org/dispute-resolution/dispute-resolution-services/adr/mediation/mediation-rules/

ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR reports
https://iccwbo.org/dispute-resolution/thought-leadership/commission-on-arbitration-and-adr/

ICC DRS publications and resources
https://jusmundi.com/en/icc-dispute-resolution-library

Download free of charge the latest ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin
https://jusmundi.com/en/icc-dispute-resolution-library#latestresource

ICC UAE Nomination Commission

The ICC UAE Nomination Commission plays a vital role in proposing candidates for arbitrator appointments to the ICC Courts. Comprising three members, this commission is led by either the chair or vice chair of the ICC UAE Commission on Arbitration and ADR, alongside members of the steering committee. To uphold fairness and impartiality, the Nomination Commission is refreshed every three months, ensuring a dynamic and balanced selection process. This structure helps maintain a high standard in arbitrator nominations, aligning with ICC’s commitment to integrity and excellence in dispute resolution.

Incumbent ICC UAE Nomination Committee (November 2024 to January 2025)

Nomination Commission – Chair

Karim Nassif
Vice Chair, ICC UAE Commission on Arbitration & ADR

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Nomination Commission – Member

Anja Bolz
Steering Committee Member, ICC UAE Commission on Arbitration & ADR

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Nomination Commission – Member

Zaynab Penot
Coordinator, ICC UAE Commission on Arrbitration and ADR

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Upcoming Commission Events

Name of Event Date Venue Country /Countries
Dubai Arbitration Week 11-15th November 2024 Dubai United Arab Emirates
Conference on Res Judicata, Claim Preclusion, Issue Preclusion and Claim Splitting 13th November 2024 Les Salons de l’Aéro-Club de France, 6 rue Galilée, 75116 Paris, France France
7th ICC India Arbitration Day 16th November 2024 Venue to be announced shortly. New Delhi India
22nd ICC Miami Conference on International Arbitration 1st – 3rd December 2024

1st December = training

2-3rd December = The Conference

Loews Miami Beach Hotel, 1601 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, United States United States of America (USA)
13th ICC MENA Conference on International Arbitration 10-11th February 2025 10th February (training) 11th February (The Conference) Training: ADGM Academy Al Maryah Island, Maqam Tower 3, Floor 20, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Conference: ADGM Auditorium, ADGM Authorities Building Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Leadership

Dr Mahmood Hussain

Chair

Founding Partner
Mahmood Hussain Law Firm

Fatima Balfaqeeh

Vice Chair

Managing Director
Balfaqeeh Advocates & Legal Consultancy LLC

Karim Nassif

Vice Chair

Principal
Nassif Arbitration

Zaynab Penot

Coordinator

Founding Partner
Averroes Law

Adrian Cole

Member

Independent Arbitrator
Adrian Cole FZ LLE

Alex Bevan

Member

Partner
Shearman and Sterling

Ali Ismail Al Zarouni

Member

Managing Partner
Horizons & Co

Alyazia Khalifa AlMarri

Member

Owner
Alyazia Khalifa AlMarri Accounting & Auditing

Anja Bolz

Member

Independent Chartered Arbitrator
Bolz Arbitration

Haitham Mokhtar Abdelaty

Member

Committee Member
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – UAE Branch

Hend Al Mehairi

Member

Associate
Al Tamimi & Co

Iryna Akulenka

Member

Committee Member
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – UAE Branch

Nasser Ali Khasawneh

Member

Partner, Head of Technology Media and Telecoms Sector
Eversheds Sutherland

Sara Koleilat-Aranjo

Member

Partner
Al Tamimi & Company

Victor P. Leginsky

Member

Chartered Arbitrator
Arbitralis ADR

Events

ICC Founding Partners