FEDERAL LAW NO. 6 OF 2018
ON ARBITRATION

HIGHLIGHTS OF LAW NO. 6 OF 2018 ON ARBITRATION

The new Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 on Arbitration replaces articles 203 to 218 of the UAE Civil Procedures Resolution No. 11 of 1992, which addressed several arbitration laws in the UAE. The new arbitration legislation has 61 provisions and applies to:

• Any arbitration held in the UAE, unless the parties agree that another law should control the arbitration, providing it is not in contravention with the state’s public order.
• Any international commercial arbitration held outside of the UAE if the parties choose this legislation to govern such arbitration.
• Any arbitration originating from a dispute relating to a legal relationship governed by UAE law, whether contractual or not, unless expressly prohibited by a particular provision.

The New Law, which is heavily based on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, will replace, and supersede Articles 203 to 218 of the Civil Procedures Code (Federal Law No. 11 of 1992 (as amended)) which currently govern arbitrations seated onshore in the UAE (the “Civil Procedure Code“). The New Law applies to any arbitration conducted in the UAE unless the parties have agreed that another law should apply, (Article 2) and to ongoing arbitration proceedings, even if the arbitration agreement was concluded before the Law came into effect (Article 59).

ISSUER OF LAW NO. 6 OF 2018 ON ARBITRATION

The Arbitration Law in the UAE was issued by the UAE government.

WHO IS SUBJECT TO THE ‘ARBITRATION LAW’?

The UAE’s Arbitration Law applies to a wide range of individuals and entities involved in arbitration proceedings within the country. Those who are typically subject to the Arbitration Law in the UAE include:

• Individuals, businesses, or organisations that have entered into an arbitration agreement to resolve their disputes.
• Individuals appointed to serve as arbitrators in arbitration proceedings within the UAE.
• Arbitration institutions, if involved in administering arbitration cases within the UAE.
• The UAE’s judicial authorities, including courts of all levels.
• Lawyers and legal representatives representing parties in arbitration proceedings within the UAE.