Under the patronage of H.E Dr. Hadif Bin Jouan Al Daheri, UAE Minister of Justice, the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) is organizing an international arbitration conference entitled: Activating Commercial Arbitration "Practical Needs to Develop National Law for Commercial Arbitration" In cooperation with: Opening Ceremony: 12 th November 2008 Park Hyatt Dubai & Conference 13 th November, 2008 Sheraton Dubai Creek & Towers Sponsored by: Platinum Sponsor Sliver Sponsor Golden Sponsor Silver Sponsor 1
Save the date! The law governing the enforcement of arbitration agreements continues to evolve in Arab nations As both courts and arbitration centers examine arbitration agreements more critically, it has become increasingly important to ensure that contractual arbitration provisions are drafted carefully and that all those who are involved or affected by national and international commercial arbitration are provided with fair and equitable procedures for pursuing their disputes. At this forum, panels of eminent and experienced international arbitration practitioners, administrators, and scholars will give presentations on pertinent concerns of international commercial arbitration in the Arab world today. Who should attend? This conference will be of particular interest to private practitioners, in-house lawyers, arbitrators, academicians, contract managers and claims consultants. It will provide the international arbitration community with invaluable opportunities of education, dialogue, and networking. Participants will be able to engage actively with, among other issues, the problems and opportunities related to conflict resolution that arise when dealing with diversification of organizational culture and internal dynamics. Programme Details: Day One Wednesday 12 th November 2008 Opening Ceremony & Dinner Park Hyatt Hotel 17:00-18:00 Registrations and Refreshment 18:00-18:50 Opening Ceremony H.E Dr. Hadif Bin Jouan Al Daheri, UAE Minister of Justice Eng. Mr. Hamad Mubarak Buamim Director General - Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry Prof. Martin Hunter Advocate in international arbitration- Essex Court Chambers, London; Professor of International Dispute Resolution, Nottingham Law School; Chairman - DIAC Board of Trustees 18:50 Gala Dinner 2
Day Two Thursday 13 th November 2008 Conference Day 08:30-09:30 Registration/Refreshments 09:30-11:10 First Session Vital Recent Developments in Arbitration Laws in Arab Countries The discussion will concentrate of the continuing developments in the provision of arbitration laws in the Middle East while exploring their practical implications and important recent developments. Chairman Mr. Mohammed Saleh Al Saleh Director of Experts & Disputes Settlement Department - Dubai Rulers Court Speakers: Mr. Graham Lovett Partner - Clifford Chance UAE Dubai Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Samir El-Sharkawi Professor of Commercial and Maritime Law Dr. Jacques Al-Hakim Managing director Jacques Hakim Law Firm Syria Damascus Former DIAC Board of Trustees Member 11:10 11:30 Refreshments 11:30 13:10 Second Session Introduction of the UNCITRAL Model Law to Arab Nations: Amendments for Consideration The discussion will focus on the establishment of an UNCITRAL-based Model Law that is acceptable to Arab States Chairman Dr. Fathi Kemicha Member of the Bars of Paris and Tunisia and the founder of Kemicha Legal Consulting K.L.C Tunis -Tunisia DIAC Board of Trustees Member Speakers: Mr. Michael Kerr Partner Denton Wilde Sapte Dubai - UAE Michael E. Schneider, Partner LALVIVE and LALIVE IN QATAR LLP, DIAC Executive Committee Member. 3
Mr. Essam Al Tamimi Founder & Senior Partner, Al Tamimi & Company, Advocates & Legal Consultants Dubai - UAE Member of DIAC Board of Trustees Representative United Nation 13:10 14:40 Lunch 14:40 16:10 Third Session Courts Interpretation of National Arbitration Laws and their Effectiveness in Applying Jurisprudence The discussion will examine the limits of the supervisory role of courts in the arbitral process and concentrate on the future role of courts in supporting arbitration in Arab countries. Chairman Mr. Hussein Al Jehazi Director of Judicial Inspection Department - Ministry of Justice Speakers: 16:10 18:10 Forth Session Mr. Dawood Ibrahim Abou-l-Shawareb President of Ajman First Instance Courts Dr. Hamza Haddad President of the Law and Arbitration Centre Jordan Former Minister of Justices - Jordan DIAC Board of Trustees Member Prof. Dr. Ahmed Sadek El-Kosheri Senior Partner of Kosheri, Rashed and Riad Law Firm Representative UAE Courts Representative The Role of Regional Arab Arbitration Centers in the Promotion of Investments between Arab Countries This discussion will review the relevance of regional Arab Arbitration Centers in promoting transnational investments in the Arab world. Chairman Prof. Dr. Tarek Fouad A. Riad Senior Partner of Kosheri, Rashed and Riad Law Firm DIAC Board of Trustees Member Speakers: Mr. Abdel Wahab Al Bahi President - Tunisian Conciliation and Arbitration Center 4
Dr. Hussam Al Talhuni Director Dubai International Arbitration Centre Dr. Aoun Al Jenaibi General Manager - Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre Mr. James Kwan Partner - Simmons & Simmons Mr. Belgacem Barrah, Président of the Court of First Instance of Tunis. Information Date 12-13 November 2008 Venue 12 November - Opening Ceremony at Park Hyatt Dubai 13 th November - Conference day at The Sheraton Dubai Creek & Tower Language All sessions will be in English and Arabic (Simultaneous Translation) How to register Complete the attached registration form and return it to Mrs. Aisha Al Zarooni in DIAC together with your payment. You should receive emailed confirmation of your registration within three days; if you do not, then please contact Mrs. Aisha Al Zarooni at aisha.alzarooni@dcci.ae Fees: Early Bird Discount (before 30 th September 2008) AED 1500 $ 410 DIAC Associate Members Rate AED 1300 $ 355 Regular Registration AED 1850 $ 500 Full payment must be received in order to process your registration. Fees include: Attendance at all working sessions Conference materials, including any available speakers papers submitted to the DIAC before 27 October 5
Certificate of attendance Dinner on Wednesday 12 and Lunch on Thursday 13 November Tea and coffee during breaks P.S. Registrations are transferable but not refundable. Registration confirmation: All documentation regarding your attendance at the conference is now obtained through the DIAC website. www.diac.ae Payment of registration fees: UAE Dirham: by cheque drawn on National Bank of Dubai and in favour of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre. Please send to: Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry Building, 14 th Floor (DIAC Office). OR By bank transfer to the DIAC: Account Name: Dubai International Arbitration Centre. Account number: 01-52-67655-7 Bank Name: National Bank of Dubai, Main Branch, Baniyas Road (Bank Swift Code NBDUAEAD), Reference: Please ask your bank to quote your name and "DIAC ACA 2008". Please ensure that a copy of the bank transfer detail is attached to your registration form. List of participants: In order for your name to appear in the list of participants, which will be distributed at the conference, your registration form must be received by 27 October at the latest. Travel arrangements and visas: Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. It is recommended that you check your visa requirements with your local embassy or consulate. Visas can be arranged by the hotel for those with rooms (with a certain fee), a minimum of fourteen (14) days notice is required. Please apply for your visa as soon as possible We are unable to dispatch visa invitation letters to support your visa application prior to receipt of your registration form and full payment of registration fees. Hotel accommodation References: As a limited number of rooms have been blocked at the Sheraton Dubai Creek & Tower, availability cannot be guaranteed once the room block is full. Rates - 11 13 November 2008 Single Towers Room Double Towers Room 1400 AED 1500 AED 6
Above-mentioned rates are subject to 10% municipality fees, 10% service charge. Supplement for guaranteed creek-view room - AED. 100.00 per room per night, subject to 10% municipality fees & 10% service charge. (Not included in the above rate.) Visa charges, if required, are AED. 450.00 per visa, non-refundable. Tax and service charges are subject to change by the Government of Dubai without any prior notice. Cancellation and No-Show Policy Individual cancellation basis: For any individual cancellation received 30 days or less prior to check in date, there will be 01 night's charge as per group rate. For any individual cancellation received 15 days or less prior to check in date, there will be 02 night's charge as per group rate. For no-shows or cancellations on the day of arrival, full stay charges will be applied. Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers Baniyas Street/Creek Road, P.O.Box 4250 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Mr. Fady Atwan Sales Manager Phone: 00971 4 2281111 Fax: 00971 4 2213468 Alternative Accommodation choices: You may contact the following hotels at your earliest to confirm the booking and guarantees the same rates as follow: **** Al Khaleej Palace Rates Extra Single Double Suite Bed Basis 680 780 1320 125 BB The Above Rates are inclusive of 10% Municipality fees & 10% Service Charges. Al Khaleej Group of Hotels P.O. Box 3720 - Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 2231000 Fax: +971 4 2234119 / 2211293 Mob: +971 050 3941266 E-mail: nastassia@alkhaleejhotels.ae Website: www.alkhaleejhotels.ae *****City Seasons Hotel The offer proposal for the Hotel room Rates City Seasons Suites Dubai Tel: +971 4 295 55 83 Fax: +971 4 295 92 39 Single Double 750 850 7
*****Sheraton Deira Classic Room (Bed Only) Classic Room From AED 325 to 1500 Junior Suite From AED 550 to 2000 Executive Suite From AED 650 to 2300 Sheraton Club Room (Inclusive of Breakfast & Club Lounge Privileges) Sheraton Club Room From AED 425 to 1900 Sheraton Club Suite From AED 750 to 2900 The hotel requires a credit card number to secure your reservation. Delegates are responsible for making accommodation reservations directly with the hotel and entering into an agreement with the hotel regarding credit card guarantees, cancellation terms and conditions, and room rates (should these differ from the above table) The DIAC cannot accept responsibility for hotel accommodation disputes between a delegate and the hotel. Disabled access The Sheraton Dubai Creek & Tower Hotel and Park Hyatt hotel are wheelchair accessible. Please notify us in advance if you require special assistance. Promotional literature Please note that no individual or organizations may display or distribute publicity material or other printed matter during the conference, unless by prior arrangement with the Dubai International Arbitration Centre Organizations and companies wishing to discuss promotional opportunities should contact the Events Department at DIAC at: diacevents@dcci.ae Disclaimer: The organizers may at any time, with or without giving notice, in their absolute discretion and without giving any reason, cancel or postpone the conference, change its venue or any of the other published particulars, or withdraw any invitation to attend. In any case, neither the organizers nor any of their officers, employees, agents, members or representatives shall be liable for any loss, liability, damage or expense suffered or incurred by any person, nor will they return any money paid to them in connection with the conference unless they are satisfied not only that the money in question remains under their control but also that the person who paid it has been unfairly prejudiced (as to which, decision shall be in their sole and unfettered discretion and, when announced, final and conclusive). 8