Starting a DIFC-LCIA Arbitration - Checklist [Archived]

Drafting notes

The DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre was dissolved in September 2021 as per Dubai Decree No. 34/2021. Its operations and assets have been emerged into a Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC). Ownership of real estate, assets, funds, staff, financial allocations and membership base will also be transferred to the new Centre.

This Checklist deals with the 2021 rules and procedures of the former DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre.

Checklist

Pre-Arbitration	Day 0	Day 28	Next Steps
Arbitration Agreement
Before commencing arbitration, the Claimant should: review the arbitration agreement to see if the dispute falls within the scope; consider any limitation period issues affecting the claim(s); start preparing the factual aspects of the case including reviewing key evidence and consulting with key witnesses; identify its preferred arbitrator (to the extent that the arbitration agreement allows for this); and consider the financial costs of commencing proceedings and methods of funding the same.	The Request for Arbitration (Request) must state the arbitration agreement it invokes and provide a copy of any contractual or other documentation which contains the arbitration agreement (article 1.1(ii) of the DIFC-LCIA Rules).

Pre-Arbitration

Day 0

Day 28

Next Steps

Arbitration Agreement

Before commencing arbitration, the Claimant should:

review the arbitration agreement to see if the dispute falls within the scope;
consider any limitation period issues affecting the claim(s);
start preparing the factual aspects of the case including reviewing key evidence and consulting with key witnesses;
identify its preferred arbitrator (to the extent that the arbitration agreement allows for this); and
consider the financial costs of commencing proceedings and methods of funding the same.

The Request for Arbitration (Request) must state the arbitration agreement it invokes and provide a copy of any contractual or other documentation which contains the arbitration agreement (article 1.1(ii) of the DIFC-LCIA Rules).