Dubai secures top rankings in GAR 100 Data Report on international arbitration

Dubai: The Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) has earned top rankings in the GAR 100 Data Report, a prestigious global benchmark published by Global Arbitration Review (GAR), the industry's leading publication.

The report ranks Dubai as the fifth most popular arbitration seat globally by case volume, surpassing over 405 cities and arbitration seats, including New York and Geneva. Additionally, Dubai ranks ninth in total arbitration case value, outperforming cities like Seoul and Frankfurt.

DIAC itself was ranked as the tenth most active arbitration centre globally based on the number of cases handled and ninth in terms of case value, outperforming over 315 arbitration centres worldwide.

According to the report, Dubai is the only arbitration seat, and DIAC the only arbitration centre from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region to be included in the global top 10 rankings.

Jehad Kazim, Executive Director of DIAC, said that the high rankings achieved by both Dubai and DIAC reflect the international business community's confidence in the city as a leading arbitration hub, directly supporting the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

Kazim added that DIAC operates under a carefully structured work plan overseen by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance of the UAE. The plan aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position DIAC among the world’s top five arbitration centres in the coming years.

Over the past three decades, DIAC has handled more than 5,000 cases with a total value exceeding Dh100 billion, said Kazim. The centre provides a robust legal framework and reliable enforcement mechanisms for arbitration awards, attracting a diverse range of complex, high-value disputes.

Since 2022, DIAC has further enhanced its services by introducing updated arbitration rules, reforming its arbitration court, and expanding its board of directors. Committed to efficient and impartial dispute resolution, DIAC ensures fair outcomes for all parties.

The GAR 100 Data Report is a comprehensive analysis derived from GAR’s annual GAR 100 guide, which identifies the world’s leading law firms with arbitration practices. Covering more than 11,200 arbitration cases from 2015 to 2023, the report provides key insights into case volumes, institutional performance, and user preferences in arbitration.