The past two decades have witnessed an exponential increase in technological advancements, particularly in the field of communication. As a result, we have seen a substantial shift in the way meetings and gatherings are being held. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred between 2019 and 2022 ushered in a revolution in the way businesses are conducted. Zoom calls and online meetings have become the norm, and people are increasingly working together from across the globe on a daily basis.
Virtual meetings are now not just restricted to companies. The ease of conducting such meetings and the fact that multiple individuals can now attend the meetings from different parts of the world have resulted in it being adopted in judicial proceedings, although with the discretion of the court. However, a major area where virtual hearings have been adopted is in the arbitration sector.
UAE Arbitration
The United Arab Emirates is a growing hub for international trade and business. Consequently, it is also witness to a number of disputes arising out of these business transactions. Due to the many advantages offered by arbitration, entities often use this form of dispute resolution to settle the disputes between them. The UAE arbitration law under Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 on Arbitration was issued in May 2018.
The UAE, and Dubai in particular, is also increasingly chosen as the place of arbitration by a number of entities that engage in business from across the world. The geographical location of Dubai, its atmosphere as an international cosmopolitan city, and the ease of conducting business activities in the country, all contribute to this choice. Due to the large number of arbitrations that are conducted in the region, Dubai has established the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), to better facilitate the proceedings. An arbitration lawyer in UAE has growing opportunities in the emirate of Dubai.
Dubai International Arbitration Centre
DIAC is the largest center for alternative dispute resolution, in the GCC as well as the wider MENA region. It is an independent, non-governmental and not-for-profit organization that supports arbitration, mediation as well as other forms of dispute resolution procedures. Established in the year 1994, DIAC is an initiative of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, facilitating the settlement of commercial disputes outside judicial courts for parties of all nationalities and jurisdictions. Since September 2021, DIAC is an independent organization and has a three-tier structure, comprising a Board of Directors, an Arbitration Court, and an administrative body.
Virtual Hearings at Arbitration proceedings
Virtual hearings have become increasingly common since the COVID 19 pandemic as it is convenient, cost effective and time saving, allowing parties as well as the arbitrators to participate remotely, without the need to travel and attend the proceedings in person. This also helps in streamlining the process and potentially reduces backlogs in the legal system.
Although technical glitches are touted as a con in virtual hearings, UAE’s technical advancements and access to resources eliminate this issue. Care must also be taken to ensure that prior checks and runs are carried out to ensure a smooth procedure.
Virtual hearings have also allowed certain unexpected advantages. Due to virtual hearings, record keeping has seen improvements, due to technology allowing the copying and savings of documents more easily.
Recent Developments
DIAC has recently partnered with a renowned developer of legal software and hearing services, to enhance DIAC’s dispute prevention and resolution services. The collaboration intends to automate the center’s processes and improve access and efficiency to parties, and legal practitioners.
The Partnership will result in a state-of-the-art digital platform to refurbish and consolidate the Centre’s current internal systems and processes, while also allowing scalability and enhanced cybersecurity. The platform intends to centralize e-filing, case registration and document submission. Other major features include ease in booking virtual hearings, shared electronic bundles, real-time transcription, and electronic presentation of evidence- resulting in a truly modern, efficient, secure, and enhanced dispute resolution experience.
Integration of AI in Arbitration
Artificial Intelligence has been playing a growing role in the legal landscape around the world. From legal research, drafting, document review, and even decision-making support, AI powered tools have gained relevance in the judicial field.
Technological advancement in the area of legal research has enabled efficient and increasingly accurate research. Legal search engines analyze a vast number of case laws and legal papers to provide relevant citations and solutions. With the introduction of AI, we are able to obtain more accurate results.
AI powered tools can not only digitize documents helping in easier record keeping, but also extract relevant information from these documents on a real time basis.
Translation and transcription
AI tools are being used to transcribe court proceedings and translate court documents, allowing access to these documents to a larger demography. This is particularly useful in a country like the UAE where expatriates form a large and integral part of both the legal workforce and the clientele.
Document drafting and review
Efficient drafting of contracts and agreements form an integral part of legal work. These contracts contain specific information that can be entered through AI tools to be processed and reproduced. Moreover, contracts include clear and precise clauses that must not lead to any ambiguity or doubt. AI tools are increasingly used to structure and design complex agreements. In some cases, AI is being used to help draft judgments by extracting relevant information from case files and suggesting appropriate legal language.
AI can also be used to run chatbots that can provide real-time information to individuals about case status, court procedures, and legal updates, making the judicial system more accessible.
UAE leading AI integration
The UAE has been a pioneer in embracing and advancing Artificial Intelligence. Consequently, DIAC has partnered with a leading IA technology partner with an aim to equip DIAC with cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools to streamline its operations and boost efficiency. The center’s case management team will be trained in AI-driven legal research and workflow solutions. Additionally, DIAC’s decisions on cases will be made publicly accessible on this AI platform for the benefit of the global arbitration community.
The UAE arbitration system was at the forefront in embracing virtual meetings and hearings. Its adaptability is now reflected in the way it has geared up to adopt AI. The adoption of AI is a welcome change as it leads to enhancement in efficiency, and provides wider access to justice.
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