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Arbitration is almost the best alternative dispute resolution (ADRs) worldwide.This is due to many factors, inter alia, availability of experienced qualified arbitrators, clear procedures, short span of time to issue the final binding award and, most importantly, the enforceability of this award.Normally, in case of dispute(s) the parties go to Courts to settle their dispute, if any. Recourse to courts seeking justice, is primarily a legal and, nowadays, a constitutional right to every person. However, due to the long time to be spent before courts to the extent of “denying justice”, most litigants genuinely look for other alternative disputes resolution and from this comes the role of arbitration as the best available ADRs.Almost all countries, in their endeavours to strengthen the judicial process for the sake of achieving fast justice and to facilitate disputes resolution, have issued a special law for arbitration. Generally speaking, nowadays the arbitration law is taken from UNCITRAL text. UNCITRAL's business, as formulated by the UN, is a way of the modernisation and harmonisation of rules on international business, covering arbitration as an alternative tool to settle disputes.This preparation of the UNCITRAL model law text is the outcome of long discussions and excessive global practice. Thus, the arbitration law model text absorbs the confidence of all litigants seeking justice. Accordingly, many countries follow such legal system and encourage arbitration.One of the advantages associated to arbitration, among other things, is the encouragement of foreign direct investment (FDI). Most countries are eagerly looking for FDI to boost their national economy, as well as, an extra means to achieve diversification of the sources of income. Also, to implement the national economic plans in some places, as a hub for all commercial services including judicial services.Good and fast judicial process, including arbitration, adjudication, mediation, conciliation, etc is encouraged and overwhelmingly maintained by the competent authorities worldwide. To fulfill this, the arbitration law works as an attractive option for investors and foreign direct investment. Investors and foreign direct investment will benefit from all legal privileges stipulated therein and provided for in the arbitration law.Based on such lucrative incentives and privileges, all foreign investors by accessing arbitration will enjoy and have the exclusive right to choose the appropriate applicable law on their dispute, the appointment and or dismissal of the members of the arbitration tribunal, the choice of the seat of the arbitration tribunal, the useable language, the frame of time to issue the award and any other matters as applicable on the arbitration process.The adoption and proper implementation of the arbitration process will ultimately cement justice and, at the same time, lay the judicial rules that are necessary to obtain the confidence and trust of foreign investors. This will add value to the business, investment and trading community everywhere, in addition to maintaining justice and rule of law.Dr AbdelGadir Warsama Ghalib is a corporate legal counsel.  

The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC), in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), organised the first Arabic-language intensive training programme qualifying participants for CIArb membership via the accelerated route in international commercial arbitration.The programme offered an in-depth study of core topics, including the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration and the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, the arbitration agreement and its legal effects, the commencement of proceedings and appointment of arbitrators, and the duties of the tribunal and responsibilities of the parties.It also included topics like the tribunal’s jurisdiction and powers, procedural conduct (meetings, timetables, submissions, expert evidence, disclosure and hearings), costs management, the requirements for an enforceable award, and avenues for challenge and enforcement.The workshop drew wide participation, including representatives of the State Cases Department at the Ministry of Justice, as well as a range of government and private entities in Qatar and leading Qatari law firms.It also welcomed experts and specialists from across the GCC, alongside representatives of prominent international consultancies in engineering, finance, technical, and legal fields, reflecting the importance of the programme in strengthening professional capabilities and practical experience in arbitration and dispute resolution.Faisal bin Rashid al-Sahouti, CEO of QICDRC, said: “Offering internationally accredited training in collaboration with one of the world’s leading arbitration institutions equips participants with rigorous, practice-ready qualifications.“It supports the development of highly qualified arbitrators who will add tangible value to Qatar’s arbitration sector. Such initiatives further enhance Qatar’s standing as an attractive investment hub by reinforcing confidence in alternative dispute resolution, now the first choice for many international investors given its flexibility, efficiency, and fairness.”The programme is part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2017 between the court and CIArb, which aims to provide high-quality resources to the legal community in Qatar and internationally, particularly specialised arbitration training delivered in both Arabic and English in line with international best practice.The MoU represents a strategic partnership to elevate the quality of specialised training in arbitration and to build capacity among lawyers, accountants, engineers, expert witnesses, and disputes consultants in Qatar.Under the partnership, CIArb collaborates with the court to develop flagship programmes in arbitration and mediation, and to organise specialised events that reinforce Qatar’s position as a regional and global centre for alternative dispute resolution.