Event Overview

“Exploring Global Challenges: Litigation, Arbitration and Fraud in a Connected World”

4th Annual Litigation Conference / 15th Annual Arbitration Conference / Business Crime and Civil Fraud Seminar

Is litigation or arbitration the better choice for resolving disputes in an increasingly globalised world? Has the establishment of international commercial courts in certain jurisdictions halted or hindered the rise of international arbitration as a preferred global dispute resolution mechanism?  Are litigation or arbitration proceedings better suited to deal with allegations of fraud?  What needs to be considered when coordinating parallel litigation or arbitration proceedings and regulatory or criminal investigations?

Join industry leaders and practitioners for discussions, panels, and networking opportunities that will delve into the strengths and challenges of each approach.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, is a city of culture and regional importance. It has become a major hub for law and business in the Middle East, blending modern developments with strong cultural roots. As home to key government institutions and a center for international dispute resolution, and commercial law, Abu Dhabi leads in setting legal standards across the region, especially in finance, real estate, construction, and investment. This makes it an ideal location for the AIJA joint seminar co-organized by Business Crime and Civil Fraud, International Arbitration and Litigation commissions where legal professionals can explore the city’s important role in shaping regional laws that impact the wider Middle East.

Beyond its legal significance, Abu Dhabi offers a unique cultural experience where tradition meets modernity. Known for its stunning architecture, active arts scene, and commitment to preserving Emirati heritage, the city acts as a bridge between East and West. Conference attendees will not only be part of key legal discussions but will also have the chance to experience the unique blend of tradition and innovation that positions Abu Dhabi as a leading city in the Gulf region.

AIJA Commissions involved
  • Business Crime and Civil Fraud
  • International Arbitration
  • Litigation

Programme

4th Annual Litigation Conference / 15th Annual Arbitration Conference / Business Crime and Civil Fraud Seminar

16:00 - 18:00

17:00 - 19:00

19:00

08:00

09:00 - 09:15

09:15 - 09:45

09:45 - 11:00

This session will critically analyze the comparative advantages and limitations of litigation and arbitration within the framework of globalisation. Expert panellists will evaluate the efficiency, and fairness of both dispute resolution methods in international contexts. The discussion aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of strategic approaches to dispute resolution in an interconnected global environment. Additionally, the session will address the specific challenges of enforcing court decisions and arbitral awards across different jurisdictions. These challenges include varying legal standards, recognition issues, and the complexities of cross-border enforcement.
11:00 - 11:30

11:30 - 12:45

Various countries in the Global South - including United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Singapore, China - took the initiative to establish international commercial courts. The session will highlight specific challenges and successes experienced by countries who have already adopted international commercial courts, offering valuable lessons for the global community. The panellists will further explore the relevance of the Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements that has already been adopted by some countries, and whether the international commercial courts complement or compete with arbitration.  
12:45 - 14:00

14:00 - 15:15

This panel will look at the intersection between fraud and arbitration from three perspectives. First, the extent to which fraud cases can be arbitrable and the powers exercisable by a Court in support of arbitral proceedings in this regard, including the granting of interim injunctions and the preservation of evidence. Second, how courts may intervene to set aside or enforce arbitral awards tainted by fraud and third, the ways in which fraud can touch the arbitration process itself and things to be aware of in that respect. The panellists will look at the measures that are in place to detect and reduce fraud in the arbitration process and how these could be improved. The role of arbitrators in addressing suspicions of misconduct will also be explored, along with questions pertaining to what lawyers should do if concerns are raised about the conduct of one of the arbitrators themselves, including if a concealed conflict of interest comes to light.
15:15 - 15:45

15:45 - 17:00

The world of fraud, and related disputes, tends to be divided into two discrete work streams: the criminal side on one hand, and the civil side on the other and most of us lawyers tend to be specialists in only one of these arenas. However, an understanding of the criminal procedure for civil lawyers, and the civil procedure for criminal lawyers is important, and can help us to coordinate investigations that need expertise in both areas. This panel will discuss what we can we learn from the other side of the fence in order to help us with our practice, including the coordination of investigations, and will cover interesting topics, including challenges regarding the use of criminal evidence in civil cases and vice versa, including issues of admissibility and confidentiality.
17:00 - 17:30

19:00

09:00

09:30 - 10:45

This session will explore the nuanced interplay of information gathering and sharing between criminal and civil investigations, on one hand and litigation on the other. With an increasing overlap between these legal frameworks, lawyers often face unique challenges in gathering, preserving, and sharing information across not only jurisdictions, but also case types. The panellists will discuss the strategic use of e-discovery tools, the admissibility of evidence obtained from parallel proceedings and the ways in which information received can be effectively deployed. Participants will gain insights into the practical implications of sharing evidence between cases, managing conflicts of interest, and addressing the risks of inadvertent disclosure.
10:45 - 11:45

11:15 - 12:30

Following on from the previous panel (“Evidentiary Challenges Part 1: Information Gathering and Sharing Between Criminal and Civil Cases”), this session will delve into the complexities of evidence production in the context of cross-border disputes, with a focus on both arbitration and litigation. As globalization expands the scope of legal practice, lawyers face unique hurdles related to jurisdictional conflicts, divergent legal systems, and cultural differences in evidentiary standards.

Key topics will include navigating international discovery protocols, the legal, practical, and logistical challenges in obtaining evidence from foreign jurisdictions, the interplay between national laws and arbitration rules concerning evidence (including the role of tribunals) and the use of technology to facilitate evidence collection, sharing, and review across borders. The session will also address practical strategies for handling data sensitively, the consideration that needs to be given to international laws on privacy and data protection, dealing with language barriers, and presenting foreign evidence effectively. 
12:30 - 14:00

16:00

19:00

Fees & General Info

There are currently no registration fees available.

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Scholarships

If you are a lawyer under 35 years old and meet the requirements, apply to our Scholarship Programme for this event. You can check more details here.

Organising Committee

Omar AL HELOO
Omar AL HELOO Hadef & Partners LLC (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES)
Hana AL KHATIB
Hana AL KHATIB Global Advocacy & Legal Counsel (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES)
Hari KRISHNA
Hari KRISHNA Nimble Legal (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES)
Kajal PATEL
Kajal PATEL Cooke, Young & Keidan LLP (UNITED KINGDOM)
Lukas RUSCH
Lukas RUSCH Pestalozzi Attorneys at Law Ltd (SWITZERLAND)
Rosie WILD
Rosie WILD Cooke, Young & Keidan LLP (UNITED KINGDOM)

Sponsors

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Become a sponsor More about sponsorship

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