- Arbitration Division
Established in 2020, the Arbitration Division is mandated to accommodate the rapidly increasing number of arbitration-related cases. Similar to the Technology & Construction Division (TCD) launched in 2017, the Arbitration Division is Chaired by HE Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi and leverages dedicated judicial and registry oversight and case management expertise. Streamlining the arbitration-related cases under the new division has also led to increased efficiency of process, with the ability to swiftly review applications for interim measures and injunctive relief mechanisms.
With its extensive national, regional, and global connectivity, the DIFC Courts empowers its specialised Arbitration Division to leverage existing enforcement expertise, helping to ensure certainty of recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards.
To bolster the Arbitration Division, the DIFC Courts has also launched an Arbitration Working Group in 2020, the first court in the region to introduce such an initiative. The panel of experts are tasked with reinforcing and sharing developments and best-practices, encompassing an advisory team of arbitration professionals, bodies, centres, educational institutions, and industry-related organisations.
HE Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi
Rashid Shahin Director
Alec Emmerson Chief Executive & Trustee
Taghrid Ashrafi Senior Legal Counsel
Leonora Riesenburg Chair
Dr Tenia Kyriazi SFHEA Deputy Director, Academic Operations
Hussain Hadi Head of LexisNexis Publishing Middle East
Edward Sunna Chief Legal Officer
Nassif BouMalhab Partner
Paul Coates Partner
Michelle Nelson Partner
Amir Ghaffari Partner
Alain Farhad Partner
Adrian Chadwick Partner
Henry Quinlan Partner
Stuart Paterson Partner
Sara Koleilat-Aranjo Senior Associate
Shane Jury Associate
Jasmin Fichte Managing Partner
Rupert Reed QC
Michael Black QC
Tom Montagu-Smith QC