Bahrain Decree-Law No. 30/2009 regulating the Bahrain Chamber for Economic, Financial and Investment Dispute Resolution established the BCDR-AAA. The centre is the result of a cooperation between the Bahrain Ministry of Justice and the American Arbitration Association (AAA).

This centre gave birth to the "Free Arbitration Zone".

All arbitral awards issued by the BCDR-AAA are final and binding.

Under certain conditions, the BCDR-AAA has jurisdiction by Law. This means that the centre has compulsory jurisdiction to settle disputes that fall within the jurisdiction of Bahraini courts.

This Practice Note will guide the reader on the process to follow when starting an arbitration at the BCDR-AAA.

BCDR-AAA: Bahrain Chamber for Economic, Financial, and Investment Dispute Resolution- American Arbitration Association.

BHD : Bahraini Dinars.

Statutory arbitration : Legal provisions by which BCDR-AAA has jurisdiction to settle disputes originally within the jurisdiction of Bahraini courts or other entities with judicial jurisdiction.

Arbitration rules : Rules that govern arbitration when parties did not designate other particular rules.

Claimant: The party wishing to initiate the arbitration.