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Contact Information

+966-920003625 [email protected] www.sadr.org

Riyadh Headquarters

8th Floor, Federation of Saudi Chambers Building, 7982 King Fahd Branch Road

Al Mutamarat, Riyadh 12711 - 4183, Saudi Arabia

JEDDAH HEADQUARTERS

Al Amana Street Jeddah Chamber Building, 7th Floor

P.O. Box: 1264

Jeddah 21431, Al Baghdadiya West Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

DUBAI HEADQUARTERS

Sheikh Zayed Road Al Fattan Currency House, Tower 2, 3rd Floor Office No. 307-308

P.O. Box: 747

Dubai, DIFC United Arab Emirates

In these SCCA Mediation Rules and their appendices, the following terms have the meanings set out below:

• Day or days: Calendar day or calendar days
• Claim or claims: Includes claims, counterclaims, crossclaims, and any claim for the purpose of a set-of
• Notice: Any written notification, communication, position statement, proposal, request, or answer
• Mediation: A confidential, voluntary, and private process conducted under the Rules—whether referred to as mediation, conciliation, or by any similar term—in which parties seek to reach an amicable settlement of their dispute with the assistance of a Mediator.
• Mediation conference: A remote or in-person meeting where the Mediator assists the parties in working toward a negotiated settlement of their dispute. The Mediator establishes the format of the mediation conference and may meet or communicate with the parties and/or their representatives separately before or during the mediation conference.
• Mediation Agreement: An agreement between the parties to submit to mediation certain disputes that have arisen or may arise between them. A Mediation Agreement may take the form of a clause in a contract or a separate agreement.
• Mediator: A neutral individual who assists the parties in working toward a negotiated settlement of their dispute. The Mediator does not represent any party, owes no fiduciary duty to any party, and has no authority to impose a settlement on the parties. The parties retain full control over the terms of any settlement agreement.
• Pre-mediation Conference:  A case management conference between the Mediator and the parties with the sole purpose of organizing the process leading up to the mediation conference.
• Rules: SCCA Mediation Rules
• SCCA: Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration
• Writing or written: Any information recorded in any form that is accessible for subsequent reference, including, but not limited to, electronic communications. “Electronic communication” means any communication exchanged by means of data messages. “Data message” means information generated, sent, received, or stored by electronic, magnetic, optical, or similar means, including, but not limited to, electronic data interchange and electronic mail.

1. Where the parties have agreed that disputes arising out of or in connection with a defined legal relationship—whether contractual or otherwise—shall be referred to mediation under the Rules, or where the parties have provided for mediation by the SCCA without designating particular rules, such disputes shall be administered by the SCCA in accordance with these Rules.
2. These Rules shall enter into force on 1 August 2026 and shall apply to any mediation commenced on or after that date. Its Appendix I shall form an integral part of these Rules.
3. These Rules set out the duties and responsibilities of the SCCA. All mediations administered under these Rules shall be administered exclusively by the SCCA or by an entity authorized by the SCCA to do so.
4. The parties may agree at any time to exclude or vary any provision of these Rules. However, the SCCA may decline to administer the mediation if, at its discretion, it determines that any such modification is inconsistent with the spirit of these Rules. After the Mediator has been appointed, any modification of these Rules shall also be subject to the Mediator’s acceptance, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
5. These Rules shall govern the mediation except to the extent that any provision of these Rules conflicts with a mandatory provision of the law applicable to the mediation, in which case such mandatory provision shall prevail.

1. Unless the SCCA or the Mediator instructs otherwise, any Notice shall be transmitted by email if a party has designated an electronic address specifically for this purpose, or by courier, registered mail, or any other means that provides a record of its transmission.
2. A Notice transmitted by email or other electronic means shall be deemed received on the day it is sent.
3. Subject to Article 14(4), and unless the Mediator instructs otherwise, any Notice submitted to the Mediator by a party shall, at the same time, be transmitted by that party to all other parties and, unless the SCCA directs otherwise, to the SCCA.
4. For the purpose of calculating any period of time under these Rules, the period shall commence on the day following the day on which the Notice is transmitted. If the last day of the period is an official holiday or a nonbusiness day at the place of business or habitual residence of the addressee, the period shall be extended to the first business day thereafter. Official holidays and non-business days occurring during the running of the period are included in the calculation.
5. The Mediator, or the SCCA prior to the appointment of the Mediator, may extend any period of time prescribed under these Rules if such extension is deemed justified. 

1. Where there is an existing agreement to mediate as provided in Article 2(1), any party to the dispute shall transmit a Request for Mediation, together with all supporting documents, to the SCCA using any electronic filing system operated by the SCCA or by any other method specified in Article 3(1). Unless the parties transmit a joint Request for Mediation, the initiating party shall, at the same time, transmit a copy of the Request for Mediation to the other party or parties in accordance with Article 3(1).
2. The Request for Mediation shall include:
   • the names and contact details of the parties and, if known, their authorized representatives;
   • a copy of the contract(s) or legal instrument(s) from or in relation to which the dispute arises, and a copy of the Mediation Agreement(s) invoked by the initiating party to support its claims, if not part of such contract(s) or legal instrument(s);
   • a brief description of the nature of the dispute and the relief or remedy sought, including the amount if monetary in nature, or an assessment of its value if not monetary in nature;
   • any agreement or, in the absence of agreement, any proposal regarding the language of the mediation, and the date and location of the mediation conference (if not remote); and
   • any joint nomination of the Mediator or, failing that, any proposal regarding the attributes the Mediator should possess.
3. The Request for Mediation shall be accompanied by the SCCA registration fee set forth in Article 1 of Appendix I. The mediation shall be deemed to commence on the date on which the SCCA determines, at its discretion, that the above filing requirements have been satisfied and the SCCA registration fee has been paid.
4. Where there is no prior agreement to mediate as provided in Article 2(1), a party may request the SCCA to invite the other party or parties to participate in mediation on a voluntary basis. Upon receipt of such a request, the SCCA may contact the other party or parties and invite them to consider the proposal to mediate under these Rules.
   • If the other party or parties accept the invitation, the parties shall transmit a joint Request for Mediation to the SCCA in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article.
   • If the other party or parties do not accept the invitation within 14 days, or within such additional time as the SCCA may determine, the SCCA shall treat the invitation as rejected.

1. Any party may be represented by persons of its choice. The name and contact details of any representative shall be communicated to all other parties, the Mediator, and the SCCA.
2. Representatives must have full authority to settle the dispute or otherwise indicate the scope of their authority. The Mediator or the SCCA, on their own initiative or at the request of any party, may at any time require proof of such authority in a form determined by the Mediator or the SCCA.

1. If the parties have not agreed on the location of the mediation conference (if not remote) in their Mediation Agreement or by a date established by the SCCA, the SCCA may determine the location on an interim basis, subject to a final determination by the Mediator once appointed, unless the Mediator, after consultation with the parties, determines that the mediation conference and any other aspect of the mediation shall be held remotely.
2. In determining the location (if not remote), the SCCA and the Mediator shall have regard to the circumstances of the case and the convenience of the location for the parties.
3. In the case of an in-person mediation conference, the parties shall agree on and are responsible for securing an appropriate venue.

1. If the parties have not agreed on the language(s) of the mediation in their Mediation Agreement or by a date established by the SCCA, the SCCA may determine the language(s) on an interim basis, subject to a final determination by the Mediator once appointed.
2. In determining the language(s), the SCCA and the Mediator shall be guided by the language(s) of the Mediation Agreement, the language(s) of any contract containing the Mediation Agreement, the circumstances of the case, and the convenience of the chosen language(s) for the parties.

1. Following the commencement of the mediation, the parties shall inform the SCCA whether they have jointly agreed on a Mediator per the terms of their Mediation Agreement. In the absence of such terms, or where the parties are unable to select a Mediator per these terms, the parties may notify the SCCA whether they agree that the SCCA: 
   • provide a list of Mediators drawn from the SCCA Panel of Mediators from which the parties shall make a joint selection or otherwise rank the list; or
   • directly appoint a sole Mediator
2. In the absence of such agreement or where the parties fail to agree on any of the persons listed, or if the appointment cannot be made from the submitted list within 10 days of the commencement of the mediation, the SCCA may, at the written request of any party, appoint the sole Mediator. 
3. Where the SCCA appoints the sole Mediator directly, it shall have regard to the prospective Mediator’s attributes, including, but not limited to, availability, experience, expertise, language skills, nationality, qualifications, and ability to conduct the mediation in accordance with these Rules and the SCCA Code of Ethics for Mediators.

1. A Mediator appointed under these Rules shall be impartial and independent and shall act in accordance with the terms of the statement of acceptance provided by the SCCA, these Rules, and the SCCA Code of Ethics for Mediators.
2. Upon accepting an invitation to serve, the Mediator shall sign the statement of acceptance provided by the SCCA, affirming the Mediator’s availability, independence, and impartiality. The Mediator shall disclose any circumstances, actual or potential, that are reasonably known to the Mediator and could reasonably be seen as raising a question about the Mediator’s impartiality or independence, in accordance with Standard III(C) of the SCCA Code of Ethics for Mediators.
3. If, at any time after appointment, circumstances arise that may give rise to questions concerning the Mediator’s impartiality or independence, the Mediator or any party shall promptly disclose such information to all parties and to the SCCA.
4. Upon receipt of such disclosure from the Mediator or a party—whether at the time of acceptance or during mediation—the SCCA shall promptly transmit the disclosure to all parties. 
5. If any party objects to the appointment or continued service of the Mediator, the SCCA shall remove and replace the Mediator.
6. If a Mediator resigns, becomes unable to serve, or is removed, the SCCA shall appoint a replacement Mediator. The SCCA may follow the original selection method or may make a direct appointment.

Conduct of Mediation

1. Subject to the terms of the Mediation Agreement, these Rules, and the SCCA Code of Ethics for Mediators, the Mediator may conduct the mediation in such a manner as the Mediator onsiders appropriate, taking into account the circumstances of the case, the wishes of the parties, and the need for a fair, expeditious, and cost-effective resolution of the dispute.
2. The Mediator shall conduct the mediation on the basis of the principle of party self-determination—the act of reaching a voluntary, uncoerced decision in which each party makes free and informed choices as to both the process and the outcome of the mediation.



Pre-Mediation Conference and Preparation

3. In establishing procedures for the meditation, the Mediator may, within 14 days of appointment, convene a premediation conference by videoconference or telephone to discuss with the parties and/or their representatives the procedural timetable and the manner in which the mediation shall be conducted. Following any pre-mediation conference, the Mediator may provide the parties with a written note setting out the agreed or determined procedures for the conduct of the mediation.
4. Unless the Mediator instructs otherwise, the parties shall, no later than 14 days prior to the mediation conference, provide the Mediator and all other parties with any Notices, records, reports, expert opinions, materials, or other documents relevant to the matters in dispute. The Mediator may request the exchange of additional information, including a description of the parties’ goals, interests, needs, and motivations. Any Notices, records, reports, expert opinions, materials, or other documents that a party wishes to keep confidential may be sent separately to the Mediator, who shall not disclose its content without that party’s express consent.



Mediation Conference

5. The Mediator and the parties may agree that any mediation conference be conducted in person, by videoconference, by telephone, or by any other means deemed suitable. Unless the Mediator determines otherwise, the format of the mediation conference typically comprises a joint meeting of all attendees and, if deemed appropriate, private meetings or communications with each party before or during the mediation conference. Unless expressly authorized by the disclosing party, the Mediator shall keep the content of such private meetings or communications confidential.
6. The parties shall ensure that decision-makers remain present, or at a minimum available, until the mediation is concluded. Authorized participants per Article 13(1) may provide advice, support the negotiations, and assist in the preparation of any settlement agreement.
7. If a complete settlement is not reached during the mediation conference, the Mediator may, with the agreement of the parties, remain in contact with the parties for a reasonable period of time to facilitate further negotiations.
8. The Mediator shall make reasonable efforts to conclude the mediation within 60 days of appointment, without compromising any progress made in the negotiations. The Mediator shall not extend the mediation period beyond the point at which further efforts would no longer be useful.

1. The Mediator shall not act as an arbitrator, adjudicator, representative, counsel, or expert witness for any party in any arbitral, judicial, or other proceedings relating to the dispute that was or is the subject of the mediation.
2. Unless required by applicable law, no party shall seek to compel the Mediator to act as a witness in any arbitral, judicial, or other proceedings relating to the dispute that was or is the subject of the mediation.

1. The parties and their representatives shall cooperate in good faith with the Mediator to advance the mediation as expeditiously as possible, and shall participate in the mediation at least until receipt of the Mediator’s written note referred to in Article 10(3) or until the termination of the mediation pursuant to Article 16. 
2. Prior to and during any mediation conference, the parties and their representatives shall use their best efforts to prepare for and engage in a meaningful and productive mediation conference.  

1. Mediation conferences, pre-mediation conferences, and any other meetings held in connection with the mediation shall be conducted in private. Other participants may attend only if authorized by the parties or their representatives and with the consent of the Mediator. 
2. Except for the Mediator’s written note referred to in Article 10(3), there shall be no records, transcripts, or minutes of any conferences and meetings.

Except as provided for in Article 15 or as required by applicable law: 

1. The Mediator shall not at any time:
   • disclose any confidential information obtained from the parties, their representatives, or other participants in the mediation; or
   • divulge any Notices, records, reports, expert opinions, materials, or other documents received from the parties, their representatives, or other participants in the mediation while serving as a Mediator. 
2. The Mediator, SCCA employees, and other participants in the mediation shall not be compelled to:  
   
   • disclose any confidential information;
   • divulge any Notices, records, reports, expert opinions, materials, or other documents obtained in the mediation; or
   • testify regarding the mediation in any arbitral, judicial, or other proceedings relating to the dispute that was or is the subject of the mediation. 
3. The parties shall maintain the confidentiality of the mediation and shall not rely on or introduce as evidence in any arbitral, judicial, or other proceedings relating to the dispute that was or is the subject of the mediation:
   
   • any Notices, records, reports, expert opinions, materials, or other documents received from the other party or parties, their representatives, or the Mediator produced for or arising in relation to the mediation, except those which would in any event be admissible or discoverable;
   • any views expressed or suggestions made by any party, representative, or other participant regarding a possible settlement of the dispute;
   • any admissions made by any party, representative, or other participant during the mediation; 
   • any proposals made or views expressed by the Mediator;
   • the fact that any party indicated its willingness or unwillingness to accept a settlement proposal made by the Mediator. 
4. Upon termination of the mediation, each party shall, without retaining any copies, return to the other party all Notices, records, reports, expert opinions, materials, or other documents provided during the mediation, or, in the case of electronic materials, permanently delete them.
5. Participants other than the parties and their representatives shall sign an appropriate confidentiality agreement prior to their participation in the mediation.
6. Any settlement agreement shall remain confidential, except that a party may disclose it as necessary for the purposes of enforcement, or where the disclosure is required by law or falls within recognized exceptions.

1. Any settlement agreement reached in the course of the mediation shall be reduced to writing and signed, whether electronically or in wet ink, by or on behalf of all parties.  
2. If the parties agree and the Mediator deems it appropriate, the Mediator may assist the parties in preparing the terms of the settlement agreement.
3. By signing the settlement agreement:
   • the parties agree that it may be used as evidence that resulted from an SCCA-administered mediation; and
   • if the parties jointly request and the Mediator or, alternatively, the SCCA deems it appropriate, the Mediator may sign a declaration, or the SCCA may issue a declaration, confirming that the settlement agreement resulted from an SCCA-administered mediation supervised by the Mediator, to assist in its enforcement under the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation or other applicable law. 
4. By signing the settlement agreement, the parties agree to be bound by its terms and acknowledge that it may be relied upon when seeking relief under applicable law.

The mediation shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following: 

1. The parties sign a settlement agreement as set forth in Article 15. 
2. The Mediator declares in writing that the mediation has been completed. 
3. The Mediator declares in writing that, in the Mediator’s judgment, further efforts at mediation would not contribute to the resolution of the dispute. 
4. Any party declares in writing that, in its view, a settlement cannot be reached and that it wishes to terminate the mediation, irrespective of any party-agreed mediation period. 
5. The SCCA notifies the parties that, in its judgment, it has not been reasonably possible to appoint a Mediator under the circumstances of the case. 
6. The SCCA notifies the parties that any time limit set for the mediation, including any extension thereof, has expired. 
7. The SCCA notifies the parties that payment of any deposit pursuant to Article 5 of Appendix I has not been made for more than 14 days after its due date. 
8. There has been no communication between the Mediator and any party or representative for 21 days following the conclusion of the last mediation conference or the last written communication with the parties.

1. The Mediator, the SCCA Board of Directors and its members, the SCCA Court and its members, the SCCA Committees and their members, and the SCCA and its employees shall not be liable to any party for any act or omission in connection with any mediation conducted under these Rules, except to the extent that such exclusion of liability is prohibited by applicable law. 
2. The parties agree that none of the aforementioned persons or bodies shall be under any obligation to make any statement about the mediation. No party shall seek to make any of these persons or bodies a party or witness in any arbitral, judicial, or other proceedings relating to the dispute that was or is the subject of the mediation.

1. As set out in Article 4(3), the claimant shall pay the SCCA registration fee in accordance with Article 1 of Appendix I. No Request for Mediation shall be processed until the SCCA registration fee has been paid.
2. After the commencement of the mediation, the SCCA shall fix a provisional advance deposit in an amount intended to cover the SCCA administrative fees and the Mediator’s fees leading up to the pre-mediation conference.  
3. As soon as practicable, the SCCA shall fix an advance deposit in an amount likely to cover the SCCA administrative fees and expenses as well as the Mediator’s fees and expenses in accordance with Appendix I and its SCCA Mediation Fee Schedule in force at the time of commencement of the mediation. The SCCA shall request the parties to pay these amounts and any cost of the venue for the mediation conference (if not remote) in equal shares. All other costs incurred by a party shall be borne solely by that party. The SCCA may adjust the SCCA administrative fees and expenses as well as the Mediator’s fees and expenses, and may request any additional advance deposits, at any time during the mediation. 
4. The SCCA shall make the final determination of the costs of mediation in respect of the SCCA administrative fees and expenses as well as the Mediator’s fees and expenses at the conclusion of the mediation. 
5. At the conclusion of the mediation, the SCCA shall provide the parties with an accounting of the deposits received and return any unused balance to the parties.

1. The Mediator shall interpret and apply these Rules insofar as they relate to the Mediator’s powers and duties. The SCCA shall interpret and apply all other provisions of these Rules. 
2. In the event of disagreement regarding the interpretation of these Rules, the version in the language chosen by the parties shall prevail over versions in other languages. 
3. Early in the proceedings or at the pre-mediation conference, the Mediator and the parties and/or their representatives shall address cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection to ensure appropriate security measures and compliance in connection with the mediation.

A Request for Mediation submitted in accordance with Article 4 of these Rules must be accompanied by the SCCA registration fee in the amount of SAR 1,000. This fee is non‑refundable and shall be credited to the claimant’s share of the SCCA administrative fees. 

1. As per Article 18 of the Rules, the SCCA shall determine the SCCA administrative fees based on the amount in dispute and calculated in accordance with SCCA Mediation Fee Schedule in force at the time of the commencement of the mediation. The parties shall pay the SCCA administrative fees and expenses in equal shares.
2. In the event of any exceptional circumstances, including, but not limited to, situations where the parties have agreed on additional services or to conduct the mediation in a manner not reasonably contemplated at the time of the Mediator’s appointment, the SCCA may fix a higher amount in SCCA administrative fees than would result from applying the SCCA Mediation Fee Schedule.
3. If a mediation terminates before a mediation conference has been held, the SCCA shall determine the SCCA administrative fees at its discretion, taking into account the stage reached in the mediation and any other relevant circumstances.
4. The parties are jointly and severally liable for the SCCA administrative fees.

1. The SCCA shall determine the Mediator’s fees in accordance with the SCCA Fee Schedule in force at the time of the commencement of the mediation. 
   • Where the Mediator’s fees are based on a flat rate, the SCCA shall fix an advance deposit based on the amount in dispute and calculated in accordance with the SCCA Mediation Fee Schedule. If a mediation terminates early, the SCCA shall determine the Mediator’s fees at its discretion, taking into account the stage reached in the mediation, the work the Mediator has performed, and any other relevant circumstances. 
   • Where the Mediator’s fees are based on an hourly rate, the Mediator shall be compensated for the work carried out in connection with the mediation at the rate agreed to prior to the Mediator’s appointment. A non-refundable minimum of 4 hours in Meditator’s fees shall apply, irrespective of whether the mediation proceeds, is postponed, withdrawn, or otherwise terminated in accordance with Article 16 of the Rules. 
2. The parties shall be jointly and severally liable for the SCCA administrative fees and Mediator’s fees. 

1. For the purpose of determining the SCCA administrative fees and Mediator’s fees under the SCCA Mediation Fee Schedule, the amount in dispute shall be calculated as follows: 
   
   • The amount in dispute shall be calculated by aggregating all claims filed by the parties. 
   • If any claim is not quantified or remains undetermined, the SCCA shall determine the monetary value to be used for the calculation, taking into account the circumstances of the case. 
   • If a claim is non-monetary in nature, the filing party shall provide an estimate of the monetary value of such claim to serve as the basis for the calculation. If no such estimate is provided, the SCCA shall determine the monetary value, taking into account the circumstances of the case.
   • Paragraph 1 of this Article applies equally to any claim asserted for the purpose of a set-off, unless the Mediator, in consultation with the parties, determines that such set-off will not require significant additional work.
2. Any increase in the amount of claims shall be taken into account when calculating the fees specified in paragraph 1 of this Article under the SCCA Mediation Fee Schedule.

1. After receipt of the Request for Mediation or any time thereafter, the SCCA shall fix the SCCA’s and the Mediator’s expenses, to be paid by the parties in equal shares.
2. The Mediator’s expenses shall be reasonable and shall be determined by the SCCA at the conclusion of the proceedings.
3. The parties shall be jointly and severally liable for any expenses.

1. As per Article 18(2) of the Rules, the SCCA shall fix a provisional advance deposit for the SCCA administrative fees and the Mediator’s fees. The parties shall pay the provisional advance deposit in equal shares. No Mediator appointment shall be made until the provisional advance deposit has been paid.
2. As per Article 18(3) of the Rules, the SCCA shall fix an advance deposit as soon as practicable. Where an hourly rate applies per Article 3(1)(b) of this Appendix I and in consultation with the Mediator, the SCCA shall fix an advance deposit in an amount intended to cover any Mediator’s fees for any work carried out and any expenses. The SCCA may request additional advance deposits at any time during the mediation.
3. If an advance deposit specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article is not paid in full and in a timely manner as requested, the SCCA shall notify the parties so that one or more of them may make the required payment. If no payment is made within the time specified, the SCCA may, after consultation with the Mediator (if appointed), suspend or terminate the mediation in accordance with Article 16(7) of the Rules.

1. All advance deposits referred to in this Appendix I shall be deposited with the SCCA by wire transfer, check, or any other method approved by the SCCA, and shall remain on deposit until the SCCA has closed the case. Upon request by any party, the SCCA may allow any advance deposit fixed under Article 5(2) to be paid in installments, subject to any terms and conditions the SCCA deems appropriate.
2. The payment of advance deposits shall not result in any charges for the SCCA.
3. Advance deposits do not yield interest or earnings for the parties or the Mediator. 
4. Fees paid to the Mediator are exclusive of any applicable value-added tax (VAT) or other taxes, charges, or imposts. Where applicable law so requires, the Administrator shall collect withholding tax from the parties and remit such tax to the appropriate tax authority.

Parties seeking to include an SCCA mediation clause in their contracts may utilize the one provided below, in consultation with their legal counsel:

• Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to this contract, or a breach, termination, or invalidity thereof, the parties hereto agree first to try to settle it by mediation administered by the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (the “SCCA”) in accordance with the SCCA Mediation Rules.