AIJA MENA Regional Meeting - Riyadh

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

28 November 2024 - 28 November 2024

AIJA MENA Regional Meeting 2024


Thursday 28 November 2024

09:00 Registration open at Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya
  • Address: Olaya St, Al Olaya, Riyadh 11433, Saudí Arabia
10:00 » 10:30 Opening message from AIJA's president
10:30 » 11:45 Session 1: Dispute Resolution in the MENA
Arbitration in the MENA is expanding rapidly, with more countries fostering an arbitration-friendly environment. The rise of regional arbitration centers is notable, and fewer awards are being overturned by domestic courts.

Complex litigation is increasing in the region's courts, especially in common law financial center courts. Civil law courts are also evolving, with new dedicated commercial courts and improved service delivery.

Mediation is gaining traction with formal mechanisms and guidelines, supported by the region's culture.

Moderator:
  • Fatima Balfaqeeh, Balfaqeeh Advocates and Legal Consultants, UAE
Speakers:
  • Simon Isgar, BLK Partners, UAE
  • Abdullah El Shahaby, Jurisera, Egypt
  • Philipp Rueppell, SZA, Germany
11:45 » 12:15 Coffee Break
12:15 » 13:30 Session 2: M&A and Investment
Foreign direct investment in the MENA is consistently growing. The GCC States are opening their economies to foreign investment, with 100% foreign ownership and incentives for non-oil sectors. Accelerators and incubators support both local and foreign tech startups through golden visa programs.

Intellectual property regimes are becoming more sophisticated, focusing on trademark protection and increasingly on patent rights.

Restructuring and insolvency regulations are developing, attracting major restructuring firms, though issues like the duties of insolvency professionals as directors remain debated.

Moderator:
  • Ahmed Elnaggar, Elnaggar & Partners, UAE
Speakers:
  • Christoph Allmendinger, SZA, Germany
  • Abdulrahman Alammar, BATIC Law Firm, Saudi Arabia
  • Azmul Haque, Collyer Law, Singapore
13:30 » 14:30 Lunch Break
14:30 » 15:45 Session 3: Legal Technology
Legal technology adoption in the MENA has been slow but is now accelerating. Courts are adopting remote access technology, and bilingual case management software is on the rise. Legal translation and AI-powered tools are being developed within the region, despite historical obstacles like language and traditional mindsets.

Moderator:
  • Hari Krishna, Nimble Legal, UAE
Speakers:
  • Laith Bqaeen, LexisNexis, UAE
  • Clare Lavin, HKA, UAE
  • Ahmed Elnaggar, Elnaggar & Partners, UAE
  • Omar Alheloo, Hadef & Partners, UAE
15:45 » 16:30 Networking