DIAC holds a seminar on construction

The seminar is one of a series called the "Construction Road show", that will take place in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi this month.

The Dubai event took place at the Dubai International Arbitration Centre DIAC at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry DCCI and attracted some thirty plus high-calibre delegates.

Speakers explored topics such as construction and the arbitration process, alternative contract structures for major engineering projects and the specific legal frameworks pertinent to the relevant jurisdictions.

The Dubai seminar was addressed by Dr Hussam Al Talhuni, Director of the DIAC, and was chaired by Rab Brown of Halcrow.

Nick White, Resident Managing Partner of Trowers & Hamlins in the UAE and an accredited Mediator and Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, said, "We were really delighted with the interest this latest round of construction road shows attracted and the Dubai event in particular was a great success.

The Gulf region is experiencing an unprecedented boom in construction and organizations need to be kept abreast of the variety of contract structures and alternative methods of construction dispute resolution open to them. Some of the questions asked at the road show showed what a need there is for this sort of expertise and we are more than happy to oblige."

DIAC is set up in order to supply facilities for conducting commercial arbitration, promoting the settlement of disputes by arbitration, as well as developing a pool of arbitrators in the law of practice of international arbitration. As an institutional arbitration centre, its outlook is to provide efficient, flexible and impartial administration of dispute resolution proceedings.

The services it offers include overseeing the arbitral proceedings of commercial disputes, appointing arbitrators, choosing the venue for the arbitration and fixing the fees of arbitrators and conciliators. DIAC selects arbitrators of the highest ability and professional competence.

Information in relation to arbitrators and mediators, of different nationalities and varied legal backgrounds, can also be obtained from the centre. DIAC also keeps a directory of experts, who are highly recognised for their diverse knowledge and practical experience in their respective fields.