In partnership with the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA), the U.S.-Saudi Business Council (USSBC) hosted a webinar on August 4, 2021 on “Managing and Resolving Commercial Disputes: Arbitration and Mediation in Saudi Arabia and the Wider Middle East.” The webinar offered a valuable opportunity for U.S. companies to learn about the latest updates to Saudi Arabia’s arbitration laws and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) options and provided a comprehensive overview of recent judgments and trends.
Moderated by USSBC President and CEO H. Delano Roosevelt, the webinar was attended by over 50 participating representatives from both Saudi companies looking for U.S. partners and U.S. companies who have longstanding interests in Saudi Arabia or plan to invest in the country. Representing SCCA were Dr. Hamed H. Merah, Chief Executive Officer and Christian Alberti, Chief of ADR & General Counsel.
Dr. Merah kicked off the webinar with an overview of the SCCA, a not-for-profit organization that provides ADR services including arbitration, mediation, and training. SCCA services are provided in accordance with international and professional standards in both Arabic and English. Dr. Merah then gave a snapshot of the Saudi legislative, government, and judicial support for the SCCA’s mission. Participants gained insightful knowledge on the importance of the SCCA’s role in facilitating a fair and equal playing field for both Saudi and international companies in the Saudi economy.
Mr. Alberti then spoke about the expedited arbitration system, emergency arbitration system, benefits of the dispute resolution system’s new online process, the SCCA’s mediation rules, and case studies of various dispute resolutions.
The program concluded with a Q&A session moderated by Mr. Roosevelt that allowed participants to directly interact with the presenters.
Saudi Arabia’s revamp of its arbitration process continues in the same line as its other recent measures to overhaul the regulatory system to further its Vision 2030 goal of making its business climate more attractive to foreign investors and reducing barriers to investment. SCCA supports and plays an important role in the realization of Vision 2030 goal of creating a systematic and predictable legal environment that attracts both foreign and domestic investment.
