The Construction Industry Model Arbitration Rules (CIMAR) are presented here as a point of reference in the event that some of its procedure might be of benefit to the rules of arbitrating construction disputes in the GCC.

There has not been any arbitration under CIMAR in the GCC, nor has there been any GCC tribunal that has applied them as yet.

For CIMAR to gain traction in the Middle East, they need to be embraced by at least one arbitration centre in the region, such as the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) (see Arbitration Pursuant to the DIAC).

That being said, this Practice Note provides an overview of CIMAR arbitration where a single arbitrator is to be appointed and the seat of arbitration is in England and Wales or Northern Ireland.

CIMAR is read consistently with the Arbitration Act of 1996 (Act).

CIMAR does not exclude the powers of the court in respect of arbitral proceedings, nor any agreement between the parties to bring forward an appeal pursuant to section 69(2)(a) of the Act.