The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Arbitration Centre (OIC-AC) have formalised a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a Specialist Certificate Programme in Islamic Finance Arbitration. The global initiative was announced today during the ongoing OIC Arbitration Week 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye. 

The partnership responds to the growing need for specialised expertise in resolving disputes arising from Islamic finance transactions, particularly in cross-border commercial and investment relationships. As Islamic finance continues to expand across jurisdictions and international markets, disputes involving Shariah-compliant financial products, contractual structures and financing arrangements require practitioners with knowledge that extends beyond conventional arbitration and general financial law. 

Unlike many conventional financial disputes, Islamic finance disputes may raise distinctive questions concerning the interpretation of contractual arrangements, the application of Shariah principles, the structure and substance of financial transactions, and the interaction between applicable domestic law and contractual obligations. These complexities make specialist knowledge essential to effective dispute resolution and underscore the importance of developing a professionally competent pool of arbitrators equipped to handle such matters. 

Through this collaboration, Ciarb and OIC-AC aim to establish a structured professional development pathway that combines high quality specialist education with recognised educational standards and an accreditation pathway for suitably qualified practitioners. The initiative will promote excellence in Islamic finance arbitration internationally and support the development of a credible pool of specialists eligible for inclusion on the OIC-AC roster of arbitrators, subject to the Centre’s applicable governance and eligibility requirements. 

Importantly, the programme is intended to contribute to the wider international arbitration community, rather than serve the needs of a single arbitral institution. The specialist talent developed through the initiative will be relevant to disputes administered by OIC-AC and other arbitral institutions, as well as ad hoc arbitration proceedings, where parties select their own arbitrators and determine the applicable procedural arrangements within the relevant legal framework. By expanding access to suitably qualified specialists, the partnership seeks to strengthen the capacity of the wider dispute-resolution ecosystem to address the particular demands of Islamic finance disputes. 

Dr. Umar A. Oseni, Secretary-General of OIC-AC, said: “This partnership represents an important milestone in strengthening the professional infrastructure for resolving Islamic finance disputes. As Islamic finance expands across jurisdictions, there is a growing need for arbitrators who combine sound arbitration expertise with a specialised understanding of the legal, contractual and Shariah-related considerations that may arise in these disputes. 

“Our collaboration with Ciarb is designed to help bridge this specialist capacity gap by developing professional competence, promoting recognised standards and building a credible pool of experts for the international dispute-resolution community. Our ambition extends beyond cases administered by OIC-AC. We want suitably qualified practitioners to be available to serve in institutional and ad hoc arbitration proceedings worldwide, thereby contributing to greater confidence in the resolution of Islamic finance disputes.” 

Don MacIntyre, CEO of Ciarb, said: “This MOU marks an important step in Ciarb’s collaboration with the IOC-AC and reflects our shared commitment to advancing the quality and credibility of arbitration in Islamic finance. By combining Ciarb’s international expertise in arbitration education, professional standards and accreditation with the IOC-AC’s specialist knowledge of Islamic finance, we have an opportunity to support the development of a recognised pathway for practitioners in this field. This partnership is an important investment in professional excellence, helping to strengthen standards, build confidence in the resolution of Islamic finance disputes and support the continued development of arbitration in this growing area of practice.” 

"The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in education, accreditation and professional development relating to arbitration involving Islamic finance. The two institutions will work towards developing the programme’s educational framework and standards, with further details on its curriculum, admission criteria, accreditation arrangements and implementation timeline to be announced in due course. 

The announcement during OIC Arbitration Week 2026 reinforces the importance of international institutional cooperation in responding to the evolving needs of cross-border commerce. By investing in specialist expertise, Ciarb and OIC-AC seek to support more informed arbitral appointments, strengthen professional capacity and promote effective dispute resolution in Islamic finance across the OIC region and beyond. 

About OIC-AC 

The OIC Arbitration Centre is an international dispute-resolution institution committed to promoting arbitration, mediation and other appropriate mechanisms for resolving disputes. Through institutional cooperation, capacity building and professional development, OIC-AC seeks to strengthen confidence in dispute resolution and support commercial and investment relationships across the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation region and beyond.