For the 2nd Year in a Row... SCCA Concludes its Participation in LIDW24
Published Date: 09/06/2024
The Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) concluded its participation in this year’s edition of the London International Disputes Week (LIDW24), which was held in London June 3 - 7, 2024. It took place in the presence of an elite group of legal experts, arbitrators, and international lawyers from around the world to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the field of arbitration and dispute resolution, introduce global industry developments, and exchange experiences and knowledge in this aspect.
SCCA reviewed its tireless efforts in developing and improving the commercial dispute resolution environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and North Africa region (MENA), through its participation as an organizer and speaker in a number of the LIDW24’s events. It highlighted the growing status of the arbitration industry in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region as a supportive environment for dispute resolution. It also discussed the SCCA latest developments and the advanced services it provides to settle disputes in business sectors and businesses.
SCCA held a breakfast seminar entitled “Recent Arbitration Developments in Saudi Arabia in the Context of the MENA Region,” in partnership with the international law firm Withersworldwide. The seminar touched on the most important achievements that SCCA has achieved recently, including the 2023 SCCA Arbitration Rules, which came into effect in May 2023 and was prepared by a committee of senior international experts.
During the seminar, SCCA CEO, Dr. Hamed Merah, said: "SCCA commitment extends beyond the borders of Saudi Arabia. This is not just a promise, but an accomplishment we have delivered over the past decade. We have assisted parties from 25 countries around the world, demonstrating our global reach and capabilities."
SCCA participated in a panel discussion on the first day of LIDW24, organized by the international law firm Clyde & Co, which discussed the role of international arbitration in supporting the economic transformation in Saudi Arabia in light of the "Saudi Vision 2030". The SCCA’s participation agenda also included a speech by SCCA CEO in another symposium entitled "Arbitration in India and the MENA Region: Roadmap to 2030", organized by the international law firm King & Spalding, in cooperation with the International Arbitration and Mediation Center (IAMC) in Hyderabad. In the symposium, SCCA highlighted the role of international arbitration in developing bilateral trade between KSA and India, supporting business growth, and attracting foreign investments and major companies to Saudi Arabia and the region.
Furthermore, SCCA Chief of ADR and General Counsel, Christian P. Alberti, participated in a panel discussion that addressed the enforcement of foreign arbitration awards in Saudi Arabia, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom, in light of New York’s Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.
Alberti spoke about how the Kingdom’s courts of appeal handle motions to annul arbitral awards. He also highlighted the insignificant impact Shari’ah has in this context, stressing that the Saudi courts have shown a deep understanding of arbitration under the Saudi Arbitration Law and consistently apply Article 50 when deciding motions to annul.
Alberti added: “This is most prominently reflected in a recent three-year SCCA study analyzing over 1,400 judgments, showing a rejection rate of 94% regarding such motions.”
The SCCA’s participation in this event is a step in a series of roadshows carried out by SCCA, in addition to attending specialized international platforms, to brief the international ADR community on the industry developments in KSA, and how it becomes a safe and attractive arbitration seat for arbitration. SCCA has conducted 30 roadshows since its inception, starting from Sydney in the east to Los Angeles in the west.