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FAQ Search
Are ADGM seated arbitral awards enforceable under the New York Convention?
Is the ADGM Arbitration Centre an arbitral institution?
Is this an exclusive ADGM/ ICC arbitration centre or can any party have their arbitration case heard in the ADGM Arbitration Centre?
Is this the ICC Court’s (ICC) first Representative Office in the region? What is the reason for setting it up in ADGM?
Yes. The ICC had not previously set up a representative office in the Middle East.
The ICC set up its representative office in Abu Dhabi as an affirmation of the increasing relevance of international arbitration in the MENA region. The ICC will spread the vast experience of the ICC Court and its Secretariat in matching the needs of arbitration users. The ICC is working with ADGM in bringing its services closer to the ICC’s users in the region, in real time and in local language.
The ICC office is based in the ADGM Arbitration Centre in Al Maqam Tower. ICC arbitration enquiries should be directed to +971 2 245 9584.
What are some of the state-of-the art features of the ADGM Arbitration Centre?
What is the foundation framework for ADGM as a seat of arbitration?
When will the ICC’s Representative Office become operational and what services will be available at that office?
The ICC’s MENA Representative Office is now operational, following the appointment of ICC Deputy Director, Dania Fahs. The office is located in ADGM's Arbitration Centre in Al Maqam Tower on Al Maryah Island. The ICC’s office accept the registration of arbitration cases under the ICC Rules, which are then administered by one of the ICC Court Secretariat’s existing case management teams. Assistance can also be given in regard to general enquiries concerning the ICC‘s services. All case related enquiries must be directed to the ICC Court Secretariat’s case management team assigned to the case.
The ICC’s Representative Office contact details are below:
Dr Dania Fahs| Deputy Director | ICC - ME Representative Office International Court of Arbitration | International Chamber of Commerce
Level 20, Al Maqam Tower, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 2 245 9584 | Email Dania.fahs@iccwbo.org
Learn more about the ICC's MENA Representative Office here.
Where is the ADGM Arbitration Centre located and is it open for hearings and mediations?
The ADGM Arbitration Centre is located on Level 20, Al Maqam Tower, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. It became fully operational on Wednesday, 17 October 2018.
Enquiries regarding arbitration in ADGM and the ADGM Arbitration Centre should be directed to enquiry@adgmac.com.
Learn more about the ADGM Arbitration Centre.
Who are the stakeholders that will benefit from the ADGM Arbitration Centre?
Will local businesses that are based onshore be able to have their arbitration cases heard in the ADGM Arbitration Centre?
Will there be arbitration and mediation related training courses offered at the ADGM Arbitration Centre?
Yes. It is expected that in due course a range of courses will be offered for anyone seeking education, training and/ or accreditation in arbitration and mediation.
Enquiries regarding training events should be directed to enquiry@adgmac.com.
Can ADGM Courts hear all types of cases?
No. ADGM Courts cannot hear criminal cases, family cases, or disputes involving estates or inheritance.
The Court of First Instance has jurisdiction to hear and determine civil and commercial cases and disputes in accordance with ADGM's regulations and rules, including any request, in writing, by the parties to have the Court of First Instance determine the claim or dispute, and appeals against decisions made by ADGM Authorities.
The Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear and determine appeals against judgments and decisions of the Court of First Instance and the interpretation of ADGM's regulations and rules.
Can I opt in to ADGM Courts for the resolution of my dispute?
Yes. Pursuant to section 16(2)(e) of the ADGM Courts Regulations, the Court of First Instance has all such jurisdiction as is conferred on it by any request, in writing, by the parties to have the Court of First Instance determine the claim or dispute.
Do ADGM Courts provide electronic filing or case management services?
Yes. ADGM Courts offer a full range of secure and sophisticated electronic services.
Learn more, or watch a video about the platform's key features.
How can I register as a lawyer or law firm with ADGM Courts?
ADGM Courts have not instituted a registration system of lawyers as a pre-requisite for a right of audience. The procedure that ADGM Courts have implemented regarding rights of audience is that set out in section 219 of ADGM Courts Regulations.
However, individuals can register with the ADGM eCourt platform launched in April 2018. Registration for the eCourt platform is fast and simple. You do not need a case to register.
You can register or sign in here.
How do I find out about ADGM Courts’ procedures?
ADGM Courts' procedures are set out in the ADGM Court Procedure Rules 2016. These are supplemented where appropriate in ADGM Courts' Practice Directions.
In addition, ADGM Courts have developed Procedural Guides, the aim of which is to assist parties and their legal advisors in relation to the procedural steps that are required in the various examples addressed by the Procedural Guides.
I am a self-represented party. Are you able to provide any information to assist me in understanding ADGM Courts and their procedures?
Yes. ADGM Courts have prepared some Guidelines for self-represented litigants.
Is arbitration available within ADGM?
Yes. ADGM's Board of Directors enacted ADGM's Arbitration Regulations on 17 December 2015. Those Regulations are based on the Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration published by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (the UNCITRAL Model Law), a widely recognised global standard for arbitration regulation.
ADGM Courts' Judges will be available to act as Arbitrators under ADGM's Arbitration Regulations.
Learn more about Arbitration in ADGM and the ADGM Arbitration Centre
What are ADGM Courts?
ADGM Courts, comprised of a Court of First Instance and a Court of Appeal, are modelled on the English judicial system. This approach has ensured the establishment of a coherent, recognised and accepted legal framework and judicial system that acknowledges the importance of the impartiality and independence of its Judges.
What is ADGM Courts’ legislative framework?
ADGM Courts' legislative framework comprises a single unified statute, the ADGM Courts' Regulations, which has been tailored specifically to ADGM Courts' requirements. The Regulations are supported by the Rules, all of which have been drawn from English statutes.