Following the adoption of the UNCITRAL model law by the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2015, the BCDR-AAA introduced new arbitration rules with effect from 1 October 2017. A new set of amendments was introduced in 2022 and came into effect on 1 October 2022.

The new rules apply to all arbitration procedures for disputes submitted to the BCDR-AAA, unless the parties have designated other specific arbitration rules to govern the procedure.

The arbitration rules regulate in full the arbitration procedure, except for cases where conflicting provisions of the law (applicable to arbitration), from which the parties cannot derogate, apply. In such case, the conflicting provisions prevail over the arbitration rules.

This Practice Note will guide the reader on the most relevant amendments and additions to the previous BCDR-AAA arbitration rules dated 2010 and 2017.

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

Arbitration rules: Rules that govern the arbitration procedure.

Arbitral tribunal: An entity consisting of one or three arbitrators appointed to resolve the dispute.

Challenge of arbitrators: Procedure undertaken by one of the parties when circumstances raise justifiable doubts on an arbitrator's impartiality or independence.