ArbDB Chambers Members attend and speak at the Dispute Resolution Board Foundation (DRBF) Conference, 6 – 7 November 2025 in Dubai

ArbDB Chambers Member, Robert Sliwinski, moderated a talk at the DRBF conference in Dubai, which was also attended by ArbDB Chambers Member, Stephen Hibbert.  The conference was held over two days and was well attended, with an excellent panel of speakers, who gave interesting and inciteful talks covering the use of Dispute Boards in the MENA region and the way in which countries, such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are embracing the use of Dispute Boards, which had previously not been used.

Robert's talk along engaged with two local lawyers, Fatima Balfaqeen and Arun Visweswaren, to discuss the issues surrounding the use of Dispute Boards in the UAE and the way in which the users and, in particular, Government agencies, are being persuaded to use Dispute Boards to resolve difficulties during the course of the projects, rather than shunting all disputes to the end of the contracts, when arbitration becomes almost inevitable.

Robert commented:

“It is a slow process in talking to and educating the parties, both employers and contractors, but the message is beginning to be heard, with the likes of the Abu Dhabi executive adopting standing boards into their contacts. A good start but much work still needs to be done.”

Robert and Stephen and colleagues are also looking forward to attending and participating in Dubai Arbitration Week, beginning on Monday 10 November 2025.

For enquiries on the appointment of Robert Sliwinski and Stephen Hibbert as arbitrators, mediators or dispute board members, please contact the Clerk to ArbDB Chambers, Martin Poulter, at martin.poulter@arbdb.com