How to Start a DIAC Arbitration: What Goes in the Request for Arbitration

A practical guide to starting arbitration at the Dubai International Arbitration Centre under the DIAC Rules 2022 — what the Request must contain and what happens next.

Many UAE commercial contracts refer disputes to the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC). Under the DIAC Arbitration Rules 2022, the arbitration starts when the Centre receives a complete Request for Arbitration — so getting the Request right matters.

What the Request for Arbitration must contain

Under Article 4.1 of the DIAC Rules 2022, the Request should include:

1. A request that the dispute be referred to arbitration under the DIAC Rules.
2. The full names, nationalities, addresses and contact details (telephone and email) of each party and of the claimant's representative.
3. A copy of the agreement containing the arbitration clause.
4. If claims arise under more than one arbitration agreement, which agreement each claim relates to.
5. A brief description of the nature and circumstances of the dispute.
6. A preliminary statement of the relief sought and an estimate of the amount claimed or in dispute.
7. Details of the number of arbitrators and how they will be chosen — including the claimant's nominee, if the agreement requires one.
8. The seat and language of the arbitration.
9. Any comments on the applicable rules of law.

The claimant may also include a full statement of claim with the Request (Article 4.2).

Filing and fees

The Request is submitted by email or through DIAC's electronic case management system. The registration fee in force on the date of submission must be paid with the Request — DIAC will not register a Request until it is paid. Check the current fee schedule on DIAC's website before filing.

What happens next

• The arbitration is deemed to start on the date DIAC receives the complete Request.
• DIAC notifies the respondent, who has 30 days to submit its Answer. DIAC may grant an extension of up to 10 days.
• The tribunal is then constituted according to the arbitration agreement and the Rules.

Practical tips

• Read the arbitration clause first. Check that it really refers to DIAC, and whether it fixes the seat, language and number of arbitrators.
• Keep the description short but complete. The Request is not the place for every argument, but the key facts and the amount in dispute must be clear.
• Think about the seat. The seat affects which courts supervise the arbitration and how the award can be enforced.

Where AI helps

AI can help you prepare a structured first draft of the Request, check it against the Article 4 list, and flag issues such as an unclear seat or a missing nominee — so your lawyer starts from an organised document.

Try it: draft arbitration documents with LexArab's arbitration support.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Arbitration is complex and time-sensitive; consult a qualified arbitration lawyer.