Dubai – 11 June 2026
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, has launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to its Arbitration Law, introducing a series of significant reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, strengthening procedural certainty, and aligning the framework with evolving international best practices.
Developed in close collaboration with the DIFC Courts and leading arbitration practitioners, the proposed amendments represent one of the most comprehensive updates to the law since its introduction in 2008 and are designed to further reinforce DIFC’s standing as a leading international arbitration hub.
Commenting on the consultation, Jacques Visser, Chief Legal Officer at DIFC Authority, said: “The proposed amendments introduce significant reforms, including enhanced tribunal powers, summary determination procedures, security for costs, emergency arbitrator enforcement and a new mediation framework. Together, these measures will strengthen efficiency, modernise the arbitration process and further enhance DIFC’s attractiveness as a preferred seat for international dispute resolution.”
The DIFC Arbitration Law has provided a robust legal foundation for nearly two decades. In response to developments in global arbitral practice, the proposed reforms seek to modernise the framework through a comparative review of leading institutional rules, including those of the LCIA, ICC and DIAC, as well as arbitration legislation in key jurisdictions such as England and Wales, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.
Among the proposed changes are provisions to modernise communication and drafting requirements, expand confidentiality exceptions, prohibit discrimination, and clarify matters relating to ex parte applications and the enforcement of interim measures. The amendments also introduce a “reasonable opportunity” standard, refine the costs regime and shorten the timeframe for challenging arbitral awards.
The reforms further propose expanded powers for arbitral tribunals, including the ability to order security for costs, consolidation and joinder of proceedings, summary determination, provisional awards and peremptory orders. The framework would also formally recognise the appointment and enforcement of Emergency Arbitrators.
Additional provisions address third-party funding arrangements, establish standards governing the conduct of parties and their representatives, and introduce related sanctions. The amendments also clarify tribunals’ remedial powers, confirm the issuance of partial and separate awards, and provide greater certainty regarding interest awards and extensions of time for issuing awards.
The proposed amendments have been published as Consultation Paper No. 2 of 2026 and are open for public comment for 30 days. Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback by 10 July 2026.
