UAE Federal Arbitration Law

Analysis

On the occasion of Dubai Arbitration Week, we look at how the enactment of a new federal arbitration law has the potential to address the difficulties faced when seeking to ratify and enforce both domestic and foreign awards in the UAE.

The Birth of a New UAE Federal Arbitration Law-A Long and Difficult Labour

A new draft federal arbitration law has been "imminent" since the UAE acceded to the New York Convention in 2006 and the most recent draft, which remains under consideration by the legislature, was circulated in 2013. This draft is primarily based on the UNCITRAL Model Law and retains some of the current provisions of the UAE Civil Procedure Code which currently governs arbitration conducted in the UAE.

Enforcing Awards in the UAE

Foreign Awards

The Civil Procedure Code provides that the execution of foreign awards and orders should take place pursuant to the UAE's international treaty obligations, which include the New York Convention.