Dubai’s ambition to become an arbitration hub started long before the credit crunch. But the recent surge in construction disputes has given the emirate a chance to realise its plans. In the grip of a property crash Dubai, the UAE’s most populous state and its commercial hub, is undergoing a revolution in the application of ADR.

London’s arbitration elite met at the offices of SJ Berwin recently to discuss hot topics in international arbitration. CDR News also attended. The speakers addressed three of the thorniest issues facing European lawyers.

It is generally recognised that there has been a substantial homogenisation of international arbitration practice and procedure in recent years, involving a blend of civil law and common law concepts and practices. In the evidential arena, this homogenisation is reflected in the 1999 IBA Rules on the Taking of Evidence in International Commercial Arbitration (the “IBA Rules”).2

With the number of international transactions and projects continuing to grow, international arbitration is a necessity of modern business that must be accessible to a range of users.

English courts will no longer be able to issue anti-suit injunctions to block EU proceedings in breach of arbitration agreements, following a judgment by the ECJ.Anti-suit injunctions are a popular strategy for parties in English court cases seeking to avoid proceedings in foreign courts following arbitration. However, the ECJ’s decision in Allianz SpA v West Tankers has ruled the practice…

This article sets out some strategic and tactical considerations that should be taken into account when deciding how best to deal with competition law claims as a private party bringing or defending proceedings involving competition law issues.