Arbitration

Arbitration Lawyers in Dubai for Domestic and International Disputes

AY Advocates represents companies, contractors, shareholders, investors and other parties in domestic and international arbitration. Our arbitration lawyers in Dubai advise from the initial review of the arbitration agreement through tribunal proceedings, interim applications, evidentiary hearings, awards and related court proceedings where required.

Arbitration strategy often begins before the substantive dispute is argued. The arbitration agreement, seat, governing law, institutional rules, composition of the tribunal and location of relevant assets can all affect jurisdiction, procedure and enforcement. We assess these issues early so that procedural objections, evidence and interim measures can be addressed at the appropriate stage.

Our practice covers institutional and ad hoc proceedings seated in the UAE and internationally. We act in matters conducted under the DIAC Arbitration Rules, the arbitrateAD Arbitration Rules, the ICC Rules of Arbitration and other agreed procedures. The 2026 ICC Arbitration Rules apply to ICC arbitrations commenced on or after 1 June 2026, unless the parties agreed to use rules in force on an earlier date.

In international commercial arbitration, we work with clients, witnesses, technical experts and quantum experts to present complex contractual and evidential issues clearly before the tribunal. Where an arbitral institution is selected in the contract, the institution should be considered together with the seat, governing law, language, tribunal structure and likely enforcement requirements.

We also advise at the contract stage on arbitration clauses and dispute-resolution provisions. Careful drafting can reduce uncertainty over jurisdiction and procedure if a dispute later arises. After an award is issued, we advise on recognition, confirmation, enforcement, annulment proceedings and other court applications connected with the arbitration.

What We Do

• Arbitration clause drafting and review: Drafting and reviewing clauses dealing with the seat, arbitral institution or procedure, applicable rules, language, tribunal size and governing law. Clear drafting can reduce the risk of jurisdictional and procedural disputes before the substantive claim is considered.
• Institutional arbitration: Counsel in proceedings conducted under the DIAC Arbitration Rules, the ICC Rules of Arbitration, the LCIA Arbitration Rules and the arbitrateAD Arbitration Rules, from commencement through document production, witness and expert evidence, hearings and the final award.
• Ad hoc arbitration: Arbitrations conducted without administration by an arbitral institution, including UAE-seated proceedings subject, where applicable, to Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 on Arbitration, as amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 15 of 2023. In ad hoc proceedings, the parties and tribunal assume procedural responsibilities that an institution would otherwise administer.
• Construction and engineering arbitration: Construction disputes form a significant part of arbitration activity in the UAE. We advise on delay, disruption, extensions of time, variations and quantum claims, working with technical, programme and other specialist experts where required.
• Cross-border and international disputes: Arbitrations involving parties, assets, contracts or governing laws across more than one jurisdiction, including applicable-law questions, jurisdictional issues and parallel proceedings.
• Interim and emergency relief: Emergency arbitrator applications, interim measures sought from the tribunal and supporting court applications where available, including measures intended to preserve assets or evidence and protect the effectiveness of the arbitration.
• Recognition, confirmation and enforcement of arbitral awards: Advising on the recognition and enforcement of domestic and foreign arbitral awards before the appropriate UAE courts, including enforcement against available assets. The applicable procedure will depend on factors including the nature of the award and the relevant UAE jurisdiction.
• Challenges and annulment proceedings: Defending awards against annulment applications and bringing challenges where recognised legal grounds exist, including defects concerning jurisdiction or the arbitration agreement, improper constitution of the tribunal and procedural invalidity affecting the award.

Who We Act For

AY Advocates acts for employers and contractors, UAE and international companies, shareholders and joint-venture partners, investors and parties seeking to enforce or resist arbitral awards.

We assist before arbitration begins, throughout tribunal proceedings and after an award has been issued, allowing jurisdiction, evidence, interim measures and enforcement strategy to be considered as part of the same dispute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is arbitration always faster than court proceedings?

No. The duration of an arbitration depends on the complexity of the dispute, the tribunal, the applicable institutional or procedural rules, the evidence involved and the timetable adopted for the proceedings.

Arbitration can offer advantages such as tribunal selection, procedural flexibility and a framework suited to complex or cross-border disputes, but it should not automatically be assumed to be faster than court litigation.

What happens if our contract has an arbitration clause but the other party files a court case?

If the dispute is covered by a valid and enforceable arbitration agreement, the respondent should raise the arbitration objection before making any motion or plea on the subject matter of the court action.

Under Article 8 of the UAE Federal Arbitration Law, the timing of that objection is important. Failing to raise it at the required stage can affect the ability to rely on the arbitration agreement in that court action.

Can an arbitral award be appealed on the merits?

No. An arbitral award is not subject to an ordinary appeal simply because one party disagrees with the tribunal's findings of fact or law.

Under the UAE Federal Arbitration Law, an award may instead be challenged through annulment proceedings on specified legal grounds, including certain defects relating to jurisdiction, procedure, the arbitration agreement or the constitution of the tribunal.

How much does arbitration cost?

There is no single figure. Costs may include tribunal fees, institutional charges where applicable, legal fees, expert fees, translation costs, hearing expenses and other procedural costs.

The total cost will depend on factors such as the value and complexity of the dispute, the duration of the proceedings, the number of parties involved and the procedural steps required.

What should I consider when comparing top international arbitration law firms?

Consider the firm's experience with the relevant arbitral rules, sector and type of dispute, as well as its ability to manage evidence, witnesses, experts, interim measures and enforcement strategy.

For cross-border matters, experience with the seat of arbitration and the jurisdictions in which assets may ultimately need to be enforced can also be important.

Can foreign arbitral awards be enforced in the UAE?

Yes. Foreign arbitral awards may be recognised and enforced in the UAE, subject to the applicable legal framework and any recognised grounds on which recognition or enforcement may be refused.

The correct procedure will depend on factors including the jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought, the origin of the award and the location of the assets against which enforcement is intended.