CIArb events during Dubai Arbitration Week 2019

From 17 to 19 November 2019, the CIArb UAE Branch held a number of events during Dubai Arbitration Week.

The week commenced with Behind the Scenes: Arbitration Proceedings on 17 November 2019, a joint event with LexisNexis, Sol International Ltd and CIArb, which was a live, interactive mock jurisdictional challenge in an mock arbitration proceedings. The event was a great success with the three-member arbitrators’ panel and two opposing Counsel demonstrating the key issues faced during arbitral proceedings with active audience participation.

Event Speakers: Victor Leginsky, Leonora Riesenburg FCIArb, Chair of UAE Branch, Fatima Balfaqeeh MCIArb, Sarah Malik FCIArb, Raza Mithani, and Louise Wright.

Later that day, the CIArb UAE Branch held its Annual Seminar and Reception. The topic for both panel sessions was enforcement, with both panels engaging in a comprehensive analysis of the current state and future of enforcement in International Arbitration as well as enforcement of arbitral awards in the UAE. In particular, panelists and audience members discussed the opportunities and risks associated with China’s Belt and Road initiative, enforcement of awards set aside in the Seat, litigation v arbitration in the UAE, the potential impact of the Hague Judgment Convention and enforcement complications arising from third party funding. The event was attended by over 200 delegates.   

Event Speakers: Sara Koleilat-Aranjo, Reshma Oogorah FCIArb, Alex Bevan, Simon Palmer MCiarb, Rania Tadros, Saleh Alobeidli, Fernando Ortega, Peter Anagnostou ACIArb, Prof Dr Mohamed Abdel Wahab MCIArb, Leonora Riesenburg FCIArb, and Iryna Akulenka FCIArb.

On 19 November 2019, the CIArb UAE Branch YMG held its 3rd Annual Young MENA Groups Debate Series.  This event comprised four mini debates between four young members (two per side) on four distinct topics and was held as part of the DIFC-LCIA Symposium. This year, the motions were as follows:

• Contractually imposed requirements to attempt to settle disputes amicably are a waste of time and effort
• Arbitration is suitable for small claims
• Experts should only be appointed by the parties
• A successful arbitration only depends on having a good arbitrator

The event was a resounding success with some creative and energetic arguments as well as excellent audience participation. The event was attended by over 200 delegates.

Event Speakers: John Packer MCIArb, Dara Sahab, Jeremy Russell, Michael Hartley, Fatima Balfaqeeh MCIArb, Richard Clarke, Sara Koleilat-Aranjo, Katy Hacking, Nour Hineidi, John Lewis, Seema Bono, Zoya Bozkho, Lucy Walton, Iryna Akulenka FCIArb, Olena Voronovych, Peter Anagnostou ACIArb, Anna Wren, Sally Kotb FCIArb, Maria Mazzawi FCIArb, and Marcus Starke.

On 19 November 2019, Kroll, CRS Law and CIArb held a joint event, Challenges faced by Expert Witnesses in Arbitrations, which was a seminar and interactive discussion between experts and lawyers on the key issues and challenges faced by expert witnesses.

Event Speakers: Dominic Wreford, Jonathan Brown, Obaid Kazmi, and Raymond Kisswany ACIArb

On 20 November 2019, the week concluded with a joint event between Tahkeem (Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Centre) and CIArb, which was a panel discussion between experts and legal practitioners in relation to Emergency Arbitration, Interim Relief, and Enforcement: Practical Perspectives under UAE Law No (6) of 2018. The event was attended by around 100 delegates.

Event Speakers: Ahmed Saleh Alechla, Mohamed Alshehhi, Dr Asma Alrasheed, Hamda Ali Alblooshi, Mohieeldin ElBana MCIArb, Ziad Obeid FCIArb, and Nassif BouMalhab.

For further information, please follow the link here.