A Guide to the DIAC Arbitration Rules

Faris Nasrallah, Gordon Blanke

ISBN: 9780198815396

Published: September 2026

Format: Hardcover

Language: English

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Description

The Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) has handled close to 5,000 cases since it was set up in 2004, making it the leading arbitral institution in the region. This title is the first book-length commentary on the DIAC's revised 2022 Arbitration Rules. Authors Faris Nasrallah and Gordon Blanke open with the legal and institutional background to arbitration in Dubai and a short history of arbitration across the Arab world, before tracing how the DIAC and its internal bodies have evolved and summarising the current UAE Federal and DIFC arbitration legislation. The core of the book is a rule-by-rule analysis of every DIAC Arbitration Rule and appendix, giving tribunals, private practitioners, and in-house counsel practical guidance on how the rules operate in both ad hoc and DIAC-administered arbitrations.

Key Features

Provides the first published rule-by-rule commentary on the 2022 DIAC Arbitration Rules. Works through commencement, multi-contract consolidation and joinder, tribunal formation and challenge, the conduct of proceedings, awards, and costs, drawing directly on the text of each article. Includes a dedicated chapter on the exceptional procedures under Appendix II (emergency arbitrator and expedited procedure), useful for counsel weighing urgent relief in Dubai-seated matters.

Coverage

Introduction and legal/institutional framework; the role of the DIAC's organs; framework provisions (Articles 1–3, 7, 20–22, 38–43); commencing the arbitration (Articles 4–5); multiple contracts, consolidation, and joinder (Articles 8–9); formation and challenge of the arbitral tribunal (Articles 10–16); the proceedings (Articles 6, 17–19, 23–33); awards (Articles 34, 35, 37); costs (Article 36 and Appendix I); and exceptional procedures under Appendix II.

About the Authors

Faris Nasrallah and Gordon Blanke are both active in international arbitration practice and scholarship, with particular experience in Gulf-seated and DIAC-administered proceedings. Their combined professional and academic background informs the practical, article-by-article approach taken throughout the book.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Role of the DIAC's Organs
3. Framework Provisions (Articles 1 to 3, 7, 20 to 22, 38, 39, and 40 to 43)
4. Commencing the Arbitration (Articles 4 and 5)
5. Multiple Contracts, Consolidation, and Joinder (Articles 8 and 9)
6. The Arbitral Tribunal: Formation and Challenge (Articles 10 to 16)
7. The Proceedings (Articles 6, 17 to 19, and 23 to 33)
8. Awards (Articles 34, 35, and 37)
9. Costs (Articles 36 and Appendix I)
10. Exceptional Procedures (Appendix II)

Why buy this book?

Dubai has become the busiest arbitral seat in the Middle East, yet until now there has been no dedicated commentary on the DIAC's current rules. For counsel drafting arbitration clauses, tribunals applying the 2022 Rules for the first time, or in-house teams assessing a DIAC-administered dispute, this is the only rule-by-rule reference available — a practical companion for any international practice with Gulf-facing work.

Keywords

DIAC Arbitration Rules, Dubai International Arbitration Centre, UAE arbitration, Dubai arbitration, DIFC arbitration law, Gulf arbitration, Middle East dispute resolution, arbitration rules commentary

Target Audience

Arbitral tribunals, arbitration practitioners, in-house legal counsel, international law firms, academic law libraries

Genre

Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, International Law

Q&A

Q: What does this book cover?
A: It is a rule-by-rule commentary on the DIAC's 2022 Arbitration Rules, covering commencement, tribunal formation, proceedings, awards, costs, and exceptional procedures such as emergency arbitrator relief.

Q: Is there an existing commentary on the DIAC Arbitration Rules?
A: No — this is the first published commentary on the DIAC's revised 2022 Rules.

Q: Who are the authors of this DIAC arbitration guide?
A: Faris Nasrallah and Gordon Blanke, both active in international and Gulf-seated arbitration practice.

Q: Is this book useful for arbitrations that aren't administered by the DIAC?
A: Yes — the commentary addresses both ad hoc and DIAC-administered arbitrations under the same rules.

Q: Where can I buy A Guide to the DIAC Arbitration Rules?
A: Through CLNZ Books, with worldwide delivery for university libraries, law firms, and individual professionals.

📘 Learn more about shipping, delivery times, and returns, see our FAQ here

📦 New to ordering with us? See our How to Order guide for payment, shipping, and institutional order options.