Webinar: Arbitration in the Middle East

On 27 July 2022, Volterra Fietta hosted a virtual seminar on “Arbitration in the Middle East – trends, developments and strategies”.

Strong judicial and governmental support combined with strategic thinking is transforming the Middle East into a prominent global arbitration centre.  That process is accelerating as several regional hubs rapidly move towards diversifying their economies.

The aim of this seminar was to assist businesses and entities that have a presence in the Middle East with understanding the opportunities and characteristics of arbitration in the region.

Volterra Fietta’s seminar included the CEO of the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration (“SCCA”), as well as several leading arbitration practitioners with experience in the Middle East.  The panel shared their insights on this exciting period for arbitration in the region.

The speakers for this seminar were:

Dr. Hamed Merah, CEO of the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration. Dr Merah is an internationally recognised leader and expert in the Islamic economy and finance industry.  Dr Merah has an extensive track record of achievements during his career encompassing banking, investment banking and insurance (Takaful).  During Dr Merah’s tenure as CEO of the SCCA, Saudi Arabia has cemented its position as an elite arbitration seat.   Dr Merah is a Harvard Business School alumni and member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK.

Tim Martin, Managing Director of Northumberland Chambers. Tim has extensive experience as an arbitrator and practitioner, with particular expertise in the energy, oil & gas, project infrastructure and construction sectors.  He has been a sole arbitrator, party appointed arbitrator, institution appointed arbitrator and tribunal chair in institutional and ad hoc arbitrations.  He has also acted as counsel, mediator, expert witness and strategic advisor in the resolution of a wide range of disputes, many of which have related to the Middle East.

Christian P. Alberti, Chief of ADR and General Counsel of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration and based in Riyadh. Prior to joining the SCCA in 2019, he was the Assistant Vice President of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (AAA-ICDR). He taught as Adjunct Professor at New York University School of Law (NYU) on International Arbitration and International Sales Law between 2017 and 2019. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators as well as a member of various international ADR associations. He is certified to practice law in Germany and New York State.

Jehad Mustafa, Senior Associate at Volterra Fietta.  Mr Mustafa is an English qualified barrister with a broad range of top tier experience covering national and international dispute resolution.  He has acted in commercial litigation and arbitration matters, including investment treaty arbitrations under the ICSID rules, as well as before the International Court of Justice.

Peter Flint, Partner at Volterra Fietta.  He has a particular focus on international arbitration, cross-border litigation and ADR.  Over his career, Mr Flint has been advisor to governments and commercial parties in connection with international disputes of a global nature in a wide range of jurisdictions around the world. His arbitration experience includes all of the established arbitral rules, including those of the ICC, LCIA, SCC, the PCA, the Energy Charter Treaty, COMESA and SADEC.

This event was  moderated by Professor Robert Volterra, Partner at Volterra Fietta and Visiting Professor of Law at University College London.  Mr Volterra advises and represents governments, international organisations and private clients on a wide range of public international law issues.  Mr Volterra regularly acts as co‑agent, counsel and advocate before the International Court of Justice and ad hoc international arbitration tribunals, including under the PCA, ICSID, ICC, SCC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, WTO and UNCLOS rules. He regularly sits as an arbitrator in ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, SCC and LCIA arbitrations.

For any queries regarding the content of the seminar, please email seminars@volterrafietta.com.