Arbitration at LCIA, DIAC, SCC, SIAC, HKIAC — LaWEra Group

International Arbitration: LCIA, DIAC, SCC, SIAC, HKIAC

Parties choose arbitration because an award can be enforced in the states party to the New York Convention, not only where it was made. That works when the clause is drafted properly, the institution exists, and the debtor has assets somewhere the award can be enforced. We represent clients in international arbitration — LCIA, DIAC, SCC, SIAC, HKIAC — in disputes arising from contracts governed by English law. The founders of the firm have run cases in London arbitration; the team includes an international arbitrator.

Who comes to us

• A counterparty in another country is in breach, the contract contains an arbitration clause, and it is unclear where to start and what it will cost.
• The contract refers to DIFC-LCIA, an institution that no longer exists — and the other side is using that.
• A contract with a foreign partner is about to be signed, and the question is which institution, seat and law to choose so that an award can later be enforced.
• A notice of arbitration has arrived, and the time to respond is running.
• An award is in hand, and the debtor's assets are in the UAE or in a third country.

Where to begin with the choice of forum: international arbitration and arbitration at DIAC.

What we do, step by step

1. Assessment. We read the contract and the clause and answer three questions: is there a claim, where does the clause lead, and does the debtor have assets where an award could be enforced? Without the third answer, arbitration is expense without result.
2. The clause. If the contract is not yet signed, we draft it: institution, seat, governing law, language, number of arbitrators. If the contract is old, we check whether the clause still works. Under UAE law, DIFC-LCIA clauses are valid: Dubai Decree No. 34 of 2021 abolished DIFC-LCIA and EMAC, and DIAC replaces them unless the parties agree otherwise. Outside the UAE, however, such clauses have been contested: in the United States a district court in 2023 refused to compel arbitration under a DIFC-LCIA clause, and in 2025 the court of appeals sent the case back for reconsideration. So where the counterparty's assets are outside the UAE, we advise re-signing the clause rather than relying on the Decree.
3. Old cases. DIFC-LCIA cases commenced and registered on or before 20 March 2022 are administered by the LCIA from London under the DIFC-LCIA rules. Cases commenced from 21 March 2022 are registered and administered by DIAC under its own rules. We establish which regime your case falls under — it decides where the papers go.
4. Pre-action. Letter of claim, negotiation, mediation where it can close the matter more cheaply than a hearing. See mediation.
5. Interim measures. Where assets may be moved, we apply to the court or the tribunal for attachment or other measures before the merits are decided. Conditions depend on the size and nature of the claim.
6. The case. Request for arbitration, response, evidence, witnesses, experts, hearings. We work with counsel admitted in the institution's jurisdiction and with our network of lawyers in the CIS, the EU, the UK and the Middle East.
7. Enforcement. The UAE has been a party to the 1958 New York Convention since 2006. We seek recognition where the assets are and run the enforcement proceedings. Details: recognition and enforcement of awards.

What you get

• A written assessment before anything starts: prospects, where the clause leads, an estimate of institutional and arbitrator fees, risks.
• A working arbitration clause for new contracts, and an opinion on old ones.
• Conduct of the case from the request to the award — or a settlement, where that is the better outcome.
• An award recognised and enforced in the country where the debtor's assets are.

What we do and what stays with you

We formulate the position, prepare the documents, appear in the arbitration and coordinate counsel in other countries. You provide complete documents and honesty about the facts: the contract, the correspondence, the payments. What you do not tell us, the other side will tell the tribunal. Institutional fees, arbitrators' and experts' fees and translations are paid separately from our fee; we set out how they work before we start. The outcome is decided by the tribunal. We promise neither a result nor a timeframe; we promise an honest assessment and work to the plan you approved. On the contracts themselves: contracts under UAE law and terminating a contract.

When we say no

• The debtor has no assets in any country where an award could be enforced. An award can be obtained; the money cannot.
• The amount in dispute is out of proportion to the cost of arbitration. We say so at the first meeting and suggest a letter of claim or the UAE courts — see DIFC Courts.
• The only evidence is a verbal agreement, with no correspondence and no movement of money.
• The client wants arbitration used as pressure outside the law. We work within it.

How to start

The first consultation is free. Message us on WhatsApp or Telegram at +971 58 600 98 87. Send the contract with the clause, the correspondence, and anything already received from the other side or the institution. We will read it, identify the forum and the regime, and tell you whether there is a case. To work through your situation first, use the guided check on the home page.

⚠️ This describes a service, not legal advice. Institutional rules and the courts' enforcement practice change. We review each situation individually.