RAC Events in UAE
It is obvious that the MENA region has become one of the preferred choices for doing business, especially for Russian entrepreneurs. While the region is also becoming popular for dispute resolution, some companies and legal professionals still have concerns about the arbitration landscape there. To address possible mistrust and provide more information about arbitration infrastructure, the Russian Arbitration Centre (RAC) organized several events aimed at exploring the MENA jurisdictions as places of arbitration and business.
On September 11, the RAC, in collaboration with Monckton Chambers and Horizons&Co Law Firm, hosted a panel discussion entitled "Breaking Down the Prejudices: Resolving Conflicts in the Middle East." This event explored challenges and opportunities related to dispute resolution in the MENA region. The expert panelists, including Areen Jayousi (Horizons&Co Law Firm), Drew Holiner (Monckton Chambers), Christopher Vajda KC (Monckton Chambers), Robert Sliwinski (chartered arbitrator, accredited mediator, and adjudicator), and Katarina Piskunovich (RAC's Permanent Representative in the MENA Region), provided practical insights into the unique features of the UAE and Saudi Arabian legal systems. The speakers discussed the choice of local arbitral institutions, law firms, and arbitrators, the impact of sanctions on arbitration in the region, and the enforcement of arbitral awards. The panel discussion was moderated by Antonina Slukina (Legal Counsel at National Oilwell Varco).
On September 12, the RAC, in partnership with Al Aidarous Advocates & Legal Consultants, facilitated a roundtable discussion titled "Peculiarities of Resolving Disputes with Russian Parties in the UAE." Participants delved into cultural considerations when choosing the UAE as a business location and explored the similarities and differences between the Russian and UAE legal systems, highlighting the potential for Russian companies to resolve disputes within the UAE. This roundtable featured insights from Andrey Panov (Partner, Head of International Arbitration and Litigation at Denuo), Vera Kolesnik (General Counsel and Compliance Officer in Nestle Middle East and North Africa), Ali Al Aidarous (Managing Partner at Al Aidarous), Hashem Al Aidarous (Partner at Al Aidarous), Kristen Campell-Wilson (Executive Director of Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre) and Katarina Piskunovich (RAC's Permanent Representative in the MENA Region).
Through these discussions, the speakers highlighted that the MENA region, particularly the UAE, can offer Russian and foreign parties a viable and effective forum for arbitration and business activities.
