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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 Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) hosted a student delegation from various schools and educational levels as part of efforts to promote alternative dispute resolution. The visits, organised by the centre, in co-operation with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Ambassadors Centre, included a comprehensive introductory programme during which the centre’s experts delivered awareness lectures on the nature of arbitration and its importance as a modern means of dispute resolution, in addition to reviewing its fundamentals and most prominent applications in Qatar. It also organised a practical simulation of a real arbitration session, in which students participated in different roles, with the aim of familiarising them with the mechanisms of arbitration sessions and the roles of arbitrators, lawyers, and disputing parties. Ibrahim Shahbek, secretary general of QICCA, stressed that the initiative comes within a broader national strategy aimed at spreading the culture of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution methods within Qatari society and among younger generations, thereby contributing to strengthening the rule of law and enhancing the country’s business environment. In turn, the participating students and accompanying supervisors expressed their appreciation for this interactive experience, praising the importance of enhancing legal awareness among young people and linking theoretical knowledge with practical application in the fields of arbitration and dispute resolution. 

Tens of thousands of Samsung Electronics workers said Wednesday they will strike in May over a wage dispute, raising concerns over chip production.The firm is one of two South Korean chipmakers, along with SK hynix, now crucial suppliers of advanced memory chips for booming AI infrastructure demand.The announcement is a blow to South Korea's bid to join the United States and China as one of the world's top three AI powers.Samsung announced last month that it had begun mass production of next-generation high-bandwidth memory chips, HBM4s, seen as a key component for scaling up the vast data centres driving the rise of artificial intelligence.More than 66,000 of nearly 90,000 unionised workers took part in a vote on whether to strike, the association of three unions said in a press release."Of those who voted, 93.1 percent voted in favour," it said."This result makes clear that the vast majority of Samsung Electronics workers reject the company's current proposal as failing to uphold the management principle of 'People First'," it said.The unions' demands include a seven-percent wage hike, the removal of a cap on bonuses and a more transparent performance-based bonus system.The will of the workers was a "strong warning to the leadership", it added.Samsung told AFP it remained "committed to reaching a smooth agreement" with the unions.Long staunchly anti-union, founder Lee Byung-chul once vowed never to allow unions "until I have dirt over my eyes". He died in 1987.Samsung Electronics' first labour union was formed in the late 2010s. 

The Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) at Qatar Chamber has approved its updated conciliation rules, which will take effect Sunday (February 1).This step is part of QICCA’s ongoing extensive efforts to enhance dispute resolution mechanisms and improve the services it provides to the business community, both locally and internationally.Sheikh Dr Thani bin Ali al-Thani, QICCA vice-chairman, affirmed that the updated rules represent a significant step in enhancing the conciliation process, noting that they reflect the centre’s commitment to developing its dispute resolution mechanisms in line with international best practices.He emphasised that the new rules have been designed to provide a more flexible, efficient, and transparent framework that serves the interests of all parties involved in commercial disputes.Ibrahim Mohamed Shahbek, secretary-general of QICCA, lauded the updated rules, describing them as an important advancement that strengthens the centre’s conciliation system. He noted that the amendments will contribute to improving service quality, accelerating dispute resolution, and supporting the business sector by offering effective alternative methods to litigation.QICCA reaffirmed its continued efforts to enhance its services and provide modern and reliable mechanisms that keep pace with developments in the business environment, ultimately contributing to fostering a more attractive investment climate in Qatar. 

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te posted pictures on social media of himself eating Japanese-sourced sushi Thursday to show his support for Japan in a bitter and worsening diplomatic dispute with China. According to two government officials in Tokyo, Beijing has indicated it will halt Japanese seafood imports following a rise in tensions since Japan's new prime minister suggested Tokyo could intervene militarily if China attacked Taiwan. "What are you eating? Now is perhaps a good time to eat Japanese food," the president said in the post on his Facebook and Instagram accounts showing him sitting on a sofa holding up chopsticks and a plate of sushi. "It fully shows the firm friendship between Taiwan and Japan," he said of the sushi, which included ingredients from Taiwan such as cuttlefish as well as yellowtail from Kagoshima in Japan and scallops from the Japanese island of Hokkaido.Taiwan's government, which rejects sovereignty claims by China, has in recent years been subjected to similar food export bans by Beijing, including of Taiwanese pineapples and fish, in what Taipei has said is part of a Chinese pressure campaign.Speaking to reporters at parliament earlier Thursday, Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said China's use of economic coercion and military intimidation to "bully other nations are already too numerous to mention individually. "At this critical juncture, we must also support Japan in effectively stabilising the situation and halting the Chinese communists' bullying behaviour," he said. Addressing lawmakers later, Lin said Taiwanese should make more visits to Japan and buy more Japanese goods to show their friendship with the country.In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Taiwan was an inseparable part of China's territory. "No matter what show the Lai Ching-te authorities put on, it cannot change this ironclad fact," she added. Beijing views Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to take control of the island. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's claims and says only the island's people can decide their future.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he thought Thailand and Cambodia were "going to be fine" after he sought to mediate a flare-up in their border dispute, but the Thai leader continued to demand an apology from Phnom Penh. Thailand this week suspended a US-brokered ceasefire deal and demanded an apology over allegations that Cambodia had laid fresh landmines that injured Thai soldiers, which Cambodia denies.Long-running tensions over a disputed border between the two Southeast Asian nations erupted into five days of fighting in July, when at least 48 people were killed and an estimated 300,000 temporarily displaced, before Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim brokered the ceasefire."I spoke to the prime ministers of both countries and they’re doing great. I think they’re going to be fine," Trump told reporters on Friday evening. But Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday that Bangkok would not adhere to the agreement until Cambodia admitted its violation and issued an apology for the latest incident.Anutin posted on Facebook after speaking to Trump and Malaysia's Anwar that Thailand has the right to take any action necessary to protect its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people and property from foreign threats. He said he asked Trump and Anwar, who has been a mediator in the dispute, to tell Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to abide by the agreement and not to interfere in the removal of mines.Hun Manet said in a Facebook post on Saturday that Phnom Penh would continue to implement the deal and hoped both sides would continue to work together in accordance with the agreed principles and mechanism. Trump also engaged with Malaysia on Friday, a White House official said.Anwar posted on X that Cambodia and Thailand were ready to "continue choosing the space for dialogue and diplomatic efforts as an effective path to resolution."

The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) has concluded its three-day ‘Training Programme – International Commercial Courts: Practice and Procedure’.Held at QICDRC’s headquarters in Doha, the course gathered lawyers and legal professionals whose practice involves, or aspires to involve, appearances before international commercial courts.With the participation of The Rt Hon The Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, alongside QICDRC judges and senior legal representatives, the programme offered participants valuable first-hand perspectives throughout the sessions.Designed to provide participants with practical insight into international commercial litigation, the programme explored in depth the procedural framework governing commercial and regulatory proceedings, with particular reference to the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Civil and Commercial Court and Regulatory Tribunal.Through a dynamic mix of lectures, group work, and interactive workshops, participants gained experience applying legal principles to real-world case scenarios and cross-border disputes.The training covered a wide range of key topics, including commencing proceedings and urgent applications; jurisdictional disputes, defences, and counterclaims; evidence, hearings, and oral advocacy; judgments, orders, costs, and enforcement; appellate procedures; and practice before the Regulatory Tribunal.Ethical considerations in advocacy before international courts were also addressed, giving participants practical experience in applying common law principles within a global context.All participants received official certificates of participation signed by The Rt Hon The Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, president; and Faisal Rashid al-Sahouti, CEO of QICDRC, during a special awarding ceremony. QICDRC remains committed to advancing the professional development of lawyers in Qatar and the wider region.

Qatar attaches great priority to modern dispute settlement methods, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Sayed, Monday.He was delivering the keynote address at the two-day conference on the ‘Role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Intellectual Property (IP) Protection, and Innovation in Advancing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for Sustainable Development.’The conference is organised by the Law College of Hamad Bin Khalifa University ( HBKU) in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the International Law Association-the Gulf Cooperation Council branch.The minister said that Qatar gives foremost priority to novel techniques of dispute settlement, such as arbitration and mediation, as key pillars of economic development and investment attraction, by virtue of the effective and quick mechanisms they offer for dispute settlement and boosting investors' confidence.Dr al-Sayed said that the forum deliberates on effective tools required to achieve sustainable development, including advancing the avenues for dispute settlement, supporting innovation, protecting intangible assets, and attracting foreign investment.President of the International Law Association - GCC Branch, Ahmed Issa al-Sulaiti, said coordinating the conference aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, through deepening the public-private sector partnership, alongside the academic and research sector, to support IP and modernise its systems in commensurate alignment with international standards.Al-Sulaiti highlighted that Qatar has achieved a remarkable leap in the Global Innovation Index—rising 21 places in just four years, from 70th in 2020 to 49th globally in 2024 and it seeks, through its National Vision 2030 and Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030), to consolidate its position as a leading regional hub for intellectual property dispute resolution.He underlined that this achievement did not come by chance but is the result of strategic investment in legal and legislative infrastructure, the development of specialised human capital, and partnerships with leading international organisations.He explained: “15.1% of inventors in Qatar are women, and 10.5% of patent applications come from universities—demonstrating a commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and investment in academic research and Qatar now aspires to achieve an ambitious goal: to rank among the top 30 countries in the Global Innovation Index by 2030. To achieve this goal, Qatar aims to increase the contribution of the knowledge economy to GDP and raise the share of R&D investment, which requires developing an advanced legal framework to protect, commercialise, and resolve disputes related to scientific research and technological innovation.”Director of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, Ignacio de Castro, highlighted the importance of the conference and that it manifests the efforts for boosting international cooperation and exchanging expertise in advancing IP-associated dispute settlement mechanisms.Dean of the College of Law at HBKU, Dr Susan L Karamanian, said this convention underscores Qatar's commitment to strengthening a supportive legal and legislative environment for investment and sustainable development.Karamanian further highlighted that arbitration has become a key vehicle for IP-associated dispute settlement, given its complexity and the need for specialised expertise. The conference concludes Tuesday.