In collaboration with Chartered institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), London, the College of Law at Sultan Qaboos University, organized SQU Arbitration Day on “Elements of Successful Institutional Arbitration” on 19 March 2019 under the patronage of H.E. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousuf, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event was aimed at highlighting the main features of institutional arbitration by exploring the knowledge and experience of highly qualified experts in this field. The program consisted of three sessions namely: (1) Ensuring the effectiveness of institutional arbitration; (2) Appointment of arbitrators & liability in institutional arbitration; and, (3) Supportive elements of institutional arbitration.

In his welcome address, Dr. Rashid Hamed Al-Bulushi, Dean of the College of Law, said that the panel discussion featured distinguished speakers from Oman and abroad as well as professors from the College of Law at SQU.

ClArb is a not for profit organization mandated to promote and facilitate arbitration worldwide. It  was formed in 1915 as the professional body for arbitrators in England and Wales. Since then it has grown into a global organization. ClArb was constituted by Royal Charter “to promote and facilitate worldwide the determination of disputes by arbitration and alternative means of private dispute resolution other than resolution by the court”. Currently ClArb has over 16,000 members in 133 countries.

In his address, Mr. Anthony Abrahams, Director of ClArb, said that his organization believes in diversity in gender, race, religion and profession. “This is something that has been at the core of our principles since the very beginning. We believe that anyone with training can become an arbitrator, mediator, party advisor or expert witness”.

Mr. Anthony Abrahams added that it is imperative that standards are known, maintained and can be relied on. “We discipline our members who fall beneath the professionalism set out in our Code of Conduct. Our brand and standards are recognized throughout the world, so that parties, whether in London, Los Angeles or Muscat can rely on a neutral with ClArb qualifications”. He concluded his talk by saying that “It is our ambition to work with SQU together to facilitate the development of training and maintaining the ClArb standards and brand by delivering courses and training in Oman”.