Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

The DIFC Arbitration Law is undergoing its most significant reforms since enactment in 2008 - and our Middle East disputes team has been at the forefront of those developments, having been instructed by the DIFC Authority with the drafting and consultation process. Join us at the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) Symposium on 10 November during Dubai Arbitration Week for a panel discussion exploring amendments to the DIFC Arbitration Law and the new Mediation Law. Moderated by Graham Lovett, partner and co-head of Akin’s Middle East disputes practice, the panel will bring together senior DIFC Court Judges Wayne Martin and Michael Black KC, Robert Stephen, Registrar of DIAC, partner and co-head of Akin’s Middle East disputes practice Shane Jury FCIArb and Akin counsel Michael Stewart to discuss the reforms from judicial, institutional and practitioner perspectives. Lord Mance, former Deputy President of the UK Supreme Court, will deliver the keynote address. The proposed amendments of The DIFC Arbitration Law are designed to modernise the existing framework and reflect international best practice. A key theme is addressing “due process paranoia”, whereby tribunals may be reluctant to take robust procedural decisions for fear of creating grounds for challenges to awards. The reforms are designed to shift the balance towards decisive case management, giving tribunals stronger powers to control proceedings, address non-compliance and protect the effectiveness of the arbitral process. Key topics will include: ▪️The most significant amendments and their practical implications for DIFC-seated arbitrations. ▪️The thinking behind the reforms and the influence of international best practice. ▪️Key developments, including ex parte interim relief, summary determination, peremptory orders, third-party funding disclosure, emergency arbitration and the new 30-day period for challenging awards. ▪️The new mediation regime and its implications for the DIFC as an international dispute resolution hub. Register now: https://lnkd.in/etigMtip #DubaiArbitrationWeek #DIAC #MiddleEastDisputes #Arbitration #InternationalArbitration #DIFCCourts #DisputeResolution #UAE

🎙️ Out Now - Episode 3 of Akin Asks: The Middle East Disputes Podcast This week, H.E. Justice Michael Black KC of the DIFC Courts speaks with Akin partners Graham Lovett and Shane Jury FCIArb to explore the proposed reforms to the DIFC Arbitration Law and what they mean for practitioners, the drivers for reform, lessons from his experience as both judge and arbitrator, and trends in international arbitration. Listen to the latest episode now: https://lnkd.in/eAD4AABw #AkinAsks #MiddleEastDisputes #Arbitration #InternationalArbitration #DIFCCourts #DisputeResolution #UAE

🎙️Episode 2 of Akin Asks: The Middle East Disputes Podcast is Out Now! This week, Robert Stephen, Registrar of The Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) speaks with Akin partners Graham Lovett and Shane Jury FCIArb to explore DIAC’s transformation since Decree 34, the operation of the 2022 Rules in practice, and what lies ahead, from the future evolution of the Rules, the growing role of technology and AI to DIAC’s international ambitions and the Middle East’s emergence as a leading hub for international arbitration. Listen to the latest episode now: https://lnkd.in/eAD4AABw #AkinAsks #MiddleEastDisputes #Arbitration #InternationalArbitration #DIAC #DisputeResolution #UAE

🎙️ Introducing Akin Asks: The Middle East Disputes Podcast We are pleased to launch Akin Asks: The Middle East Disputes Podcast, hosted by partners and co-leads of Akin’s Middle East disputes practice, Graham Lovett and Shane Jury FCIArb. In each episode, Graham and Shane speak with leading voices from the dispute resolution community about the developments, trends and issues shaping the Middle East disputes landscape. The podcast aims to inform, entertain and offer a bite-sized perspective on the issues at the top of our guests' minds and agendas. Season 1 of the podcast has been produced for weekly release in anticipation of Dubai Arbitration Week which is taking place in Dubai between 9 to 13 November 2026. During Dubai Arbitration Week, the Akin team will be speaking on a panel on 10 November at the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) Symposium, together with representatives of the DIFC Courts, to discuss the proposed new DIFC Arbitration Law (which the Akin team was engaged to advise on). These changes to the law are a key theme in our discussions throughout Season 1. For our inaugural episode, we are delighted to welcome H.E. Chief Justice Wayne Martin of the DIFC Courts. In this insightful discussion, H.E. Chief Justice Martin shares his perspectives on enforcement of foreign awards and judgments in the region, the DIFC Courts’ Conflicts of Jurisdiction Tribunal, the proposed new DIFC Arbitration Law, lessons learned from his time leading the Supreme Court of Western Australia and trends shaping the DIFC as a hub for dispute resolution. 🎧 Episode 1: H.E. Chief Justice Wayne Martin, The DIFC Courts Listen now: https://lnkd.in/eAD4AABw #AkinAsks #MiddleEastDisputes #Arbitration #InternationalArbitration #DIFC #DIFCCourts #DisputeResolution #UAE

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