International Business Law and Arbitration
Participants gain practical insight into arbitration systems (DIAC, ADGM, ICC), UAE’s hybrid legal framework, and strategic dispute resolution through simulations and mock hearings.
Program Overview
This executive program prepares legal and business professionals to confidently draft, negotiate, and enforce international business contracts, and to navigate arbitration and dispute resolution mechanisms across borders. It emphasizes the unique hybrid nature of the UAE legal system (civil, common, and Sharia), the implications of operating in mainland vs. free zones, and global arbitration systems like DIAC, ADGM, and the ICC.
Through real-world simulations and legal strategy labs, participants will gain essential tools to mitigate legal risk, handle disputes effectively, and safeguard international commercial interests.
Mode of Delivery
- On-campus at AUE or live virtual sessions
- Interactive lectures, model clause drafting, and arbitration simulation
- UAE-specific legal analysis and international case studies
Target Audience
- Legal professionals and corporate lawyers
- Senior executives and general counsel
- Contract managers and compliance officers
- Arbitrators and legal advisors in multinational companies
- Professionals involved in cross-border trade, FDI, or commercial disputes
- Government officials and regulators in legal and trade sectors
Objectives of the Training Program
By the end of this program, participants will:
- Understand international legal systems and how they govern business contracts
- Draft precise and enforceable cross-border commercial contracts
- Identify key legal risks in international transactions and mitigate them proactively
- Navigate arbitration procedures and enforcement both locally and globally
- Evaluate the UAE’s legal landscape (federal, free zone, and offshore jurisdictions)
- Gain familiarity with institutional rules: DIAC, ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, ADGM
- Simulate arbitration hearings and apply strategic legal thinking
Course Description
Participants will explore:
- Legal systems and commercial laws governing international transactions
- Drafting enforceable cross-border contracts with risk mitigation clauses
- Institutional arbitration: DIAC, ICC, LCIA, and ADGM
- Recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards (New York Convention)
- Key differences in UAE mainland vs. free zone jurisdictions
- Contract dispute resolution strategies and mock arbitration hearings
- Practical use of Incoterms, force majeure, choice of law, and jurisdiction clauses
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
1. Draft international contracts with robust legal protections
2. Advise on dispute resolution mechanisms and jurisdictional issues
3. Distinguish between arbitration frameworks in various global centers
4. Apply UAE law effectively across diverse commercial contexts
5. Conduct arbitration simulations and enforce awards globally
6. Navigate UAE-specific business laws and Sharia law intersections
Methodology
1. Expert-led lectures with UAE and international legal perspectives
2. Contract clause drafting exercises (choice of law, arbitration, force majeure, etc.)
3. Simulated arbitration hearings and role-playing as counsel and arbitrators
4. Comparative legal system analysis (civil, common, Sharia)
5. Review of real arbitration cases and contract disputes in UAE courts
Certification
1. Certificate of Completion – American University in the Emirates (AUE)
2. Attendance certificates are attested by KHDA
3. Optional 2.5 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits
Schedule & Topics
| Day | Session Title | Hours | Focus & Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Foundations of International Business Law & UAE Legal Framework | 4 hrs | UAE hybrid legal system, contract law fundamentals |
| Day 2 | Drafting and Negotiating International Commercial Contracts | 4 hrs | Key clauses, risk allocation, force majeure |
| Day 3 | Introduction to Arbitration: DIAC, ICC, ADGM, UNCITRAL | 4 hrs | Arbitration institutions and procedures |
| Day 4 | Jurisdiction, Governing Law & Dispute Resolution Clauses | 4 hrs | Drafting and enforcing choice of law and forum |
| Day 5 | UAE Free Zones vs Mainland: Legal Implications and Enforceability | 4 hrs | DIFC, ADGM, mainland differences, Sharia implications |
| Day 6 | Case Studies in International Arbitration & Mock Hearing Preparation | 4 hrs | Review of real disputes and preparing arguments |
| Day 7 | Mock Arbitration Hearing & Capstone Simulation | 4 hrs | Live simulation of commercial arbitration proceeding |
Estimated Pricing
Program Investment
AED 6,000 per participant includes:
1. Executive training materials
2. Access to strategic simulations and tools
3. Official certification
4. Networking and leadership roundtables
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