Arbitration Law · Federal Law 6 of 2018
Article 28
Chapter Four: Arbitral Proceedings > Seat and Proceedings of Arbitration
English translation
1. The parties to arbitration may agree on the seat of arbitration in reality or virtually through means of modern technology or in technical environments. In the absence of such an agreement, the seat of arbitration shall be determined by the Arbitral Tribunal, having regard to the circumstances of the case, and the convenience of the seat to the parties.
2. The Arbitral Tribunal shall make available or send the minutes of the hearing to the Parties.
3. The arbitration institution shall provide the technologies required to carry out the arbitration proceedings by means of modern technology on in technical environments in accordance with the required standards and controls applicable in the State.
Official translation, as published by the portal.
Official Arabic text
.1 للأطراف الاتفاق على إجراء التحكيم وتحديد مكانه بشكل واقعي، أو بشكل افتراضي من خلال وسائل التقنية الحديثة أو في الأوساط التقنية، فإذا لم يوجد اتفاق حددت هيئة التحكيم ذلك، بمراعاة ظروف الدعوى، وملاءمة المكان لأطرافها.
.2 تقوم هيئة التحكيم بإتاحة أو بإرسال محضر الجلسة إلى الأطراف.
.3 يقوم مركز التحكيم بتوفير التقنيات اللازمة لإجراء أعمال التحكيم من خلال وسائل التقنية الحديثة أو في الأوساط التقنية وفقاً للمعايير والضوابط الفنية اللازمة المعمول بها في الدولة.
What it means when you sign
This article is about where and how arbitration takes place. The parties may agree on the seat of arbitration, either in a physical place or virtually through modern technology or in technical environments. If they do not agree, the arbitral tribunal decides the seat, having regard to the circumstances of the case and how convenient the seat is for the parties. The tribunal must make the minutes of the hearing available or send them to the parties. The arbitration institution must provide the technologies needed to carry out proceedings by modern technology, in line with the required standards and controls applicable in the State.
When you are about to sign a contract with an arbitration clause, this article means that the clause can name a physical or a virtual seat, and that if it names none the tribunal will choose. A clause that fixes a place, a city or an online format is the wording to read, because it settles where proceedings are held and may affect cost and convenience. Check whether the seat is named, whether it is a physical or virtual one, and what the clause says about the arbitral body.
In Fahm reports this article usually sits under: Jurisdiction and enforceability
Related articles
- Article 4Cited in Fahm reportsThis article sets out who can make an arbitration agreement and on what.
- Article 7Cited in Fahm reportsThis article requires an arbitration agreement to be in writing, otherwise it is null and void.
- Article 11Cited in Fahm reportsThis article sets out how the arbitral tribunal is selected.
- Article 53Cited in Fahm reportsThis article says an arbitral award can be objected to only by an action for annulment before the court, or while the court considers a request to confirm the award.