The Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre (arbitrateAD) has released its inaugural Biennial Report covering the period from 1 February 2024 to 1 February 2026. The report provides an overview of the Centre’s activity during its first two years, including caseload, sector profile and procedural developments.

The Centre reports that it administered over 100 matters during this period, with arbitration forming the majority of cases and an increase in filings between Year 1 and Year 2.

The report also notes the introduction of additional dispute resolution frameworks, including adjudication and mediation, alongside the Centre’s Arbitration Rules.

The Biennial Report indicates that arbitrateAD administered a total of 105 matters, of which 76 were arbitration cases. The Centre reports a 38% increase in arbitration cases between its first and second year of operation (44 cases in year 2, as opposed to 32 cases in year 1), reflecting the growing use of the Centre’s services and trust by the users.

A significant proportion of cases arise from the construction and real estate sectors (2/3 of the cases arising in those industries), with additional cases arising from general commercial disputes (18%), professional services (4%), insurance (3%), energy, oil and gas and intellectual property (1% each).

The report also notes appointment of arbitrators from multiple jurisdictions, with the majority being from Egypt, the UAE, the UK, Lebanon and France. Notably, there is a significant difference in nominations by the parties and the Court in terms of gender split, with the Court nominating female arbitrators in 43% of cases, as opposed to 19% only in parties’ nominations.

Proceedings were conducted predominantly in English, with 16% of proceedings conducted in Arabic.

The report also highlights arbitrateAD Arbitration Rules (effective 1 February 2024), with the following procedural features:

• arbitrateAD Court of Arbitration, an independent body comprised of internationally recognised arbitration practitioners tasked with key supervisory functions over case administration (confirming and appointing arbitrators, deciding on challenges, and scrutinising arbitral awards). 
• ADGM as the default seat of arbitration, in the absence of agreement between the parties;
• Expedited proceedings for lower-value disputes;
• Emergency arbitrator provisions and interim measures; and
• Early dismissal of claims or defences that are manifestly without merit.

The Rules also provide for mandatory scrutiny of draft arbitral awards by the Court of Arbitration prior to issuance and require disclosure of third-party funding arrangements.

During the reporting period, arbitrateAD introduced:

• Adjudicator Appointment Rules, under which it may act as appointing authority for adjudicators and dispute boards; and
• Mediation Rules, providing a framework for institutionally administered mediation.

These frameworks operate alongside arbitration proceedings and expand the range of dispute resolution mechanisms available under the Centre’s rules.

The report also notes arbitrateAD’s involvement in infrastructure-related frameworks, including its role as appointing authority and arbitral institution in connection with Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) standard contracts, as well as its participation in regional and international arbitration initiatives.

To speak to us in relation to the arbitrateAD and/or arbitrateAD arbitrations, dispute resolution and arbitration matters, or issues more generally, please reach out to the Baker McKenzie contacts.