Advisory Committee
CRCICA has an Advisory Committee currently consisting of a Chairperson, two (2) Vice Chairpersons, and fourteen (14) members appointed by the Director of the Centre from among the members of the Board of Trustees as well as eminent African, Asian and other personalities specialized in the fields of international arbitration, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms and international trade.
The term of the Advisory Committee shall be four years, which may be renewed once for a similar term, unless otherwise determined due to special circumstances.
The Advisory Committee shall carry out the functions provided for in the Centre’s Arbitration Rules in force as from 15 January 2024 (the Rules) as well as any other functions that may be referred to in the Centre’s future Arbitration Rules, particularly the following:
a. Providing advice with respect to the Centre’s decision not to proceed with arbitral proceedings in whole or in part, according to article 6, paragraph 2 of the Rules;
b. Providing advice with respect to the Centre’s decision not to proceed with the appointment of any arbitrator according to article 12, paragraph 3 of the Rules;
c. Providing advice with respect to the Centre’s decision to accept or reject the Request for Consolidation in accordance with article 50, paragraphs 1 and 6 of the Rules;
d. Deciding on the removal of arbitrators according to article 13 of the Rules via an impartial and independent tripartite ad hoc committee to be composed by the Centre from among the members of the Advisory Committee without disclosing their names to the parties. The decision shall be made by the majority of votes of the members of the ad hoc Committee in writing, and shall be reasoned, final and unchallengeable;
e. Deciding on the removal of arbitrators according to article 8, paragraph 4 of Annex 3 to the Rules (Expedited Arbitration Rules) via an impartial and independent member to be selected by the Centre from among the members of the Advisory Committee without disclosing his or her name to the parties. The decision shall be made expeditiously by the member in writing and shall be reasoned, final and unchallengeable;
f. Deciding on the challenge of arbitrators according to article 14, paragraph 6 of the Rules via an impartial and independent tripartite ad hoc committee to be composed by the Centre from among the members of the Advisory Committee without disclosing their names to the parties. The decision shall be made by the majority of votes of the members of the ad hoc committee in writing and shall be reasoned, final and unchallengeable;
g. Deciding on the challenge arbitrators according to article 4, paragraph 6 of Annex 2 to the Rules (Emergency Arbitrator Rules) and article 8, paragraph 3 of Annex 3 to the Rules (Expedited Arbitration Rules) via an impartial and independent member to be selected by the Centre from among the members of the Advisory Committee without disclosing his or her name to the parties. The decision shall be made expeditiously by the member in writing and shall be reasoned, final and unchallengeable;
h. Providing advice with respect to the Centre’s decision to deprive any party of its right to appoint a substitute arbitrator according to article 15, paragraph 2 of the Rules; and
i. Providing advice with respect to the Centre’s determination, according to article 45, paragraph 13 of the Rules, of the fees of the arbitral tribunal at a figure higher or lower than that which would result from the application of the tables of fees annexed to the Rules.
Ms. Samaa Haridi
Samaa A. Haridi is a common and civil law trained, trilingual partner at King & Spalding. Ms. Haridi has significant experience representing clients in multi-jurisdictional international commercial and investment arbitration proceedings under the arbitration rules of all the major arbitral institutions. Ms. Haridi also frequently sits as an arbitrator in international commercial and investment disputes.
Ms. Haridi has been recognized by clients and peers and repeatedly listed in Chambers USA and Chambers Global for International Arbitration. She has been singled out by clients as a “global leader” for her “brilliant,” “really, really phenomenal,” “no-nonsense and impressive” approach, and regularly handles commercial and investor-state arbitrations involving the Middle East with a “very good sense of diplomacy.” Sources also acknowledge her as being “hard-working and very entrepreneurial,” as well as a “unique practitioner with unique skills” who delivers “clear and intelligent arguments.” She is also recognized by The Legal 500, and by Who’s Who Legal: Global Elite Thought Leaders – Arbitration 2022.
She is currently serving as an officer in a number of arbitral organizations, including as Vice-President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Senior Co-Chair of the Arbitration Committee of the International Bar Association, and Member of ICCA’s Governing Board. Ms. Haridi also is a frequent speaker at conferences around the globe.
Born in Switzerland, Ms. Haridi grew up in Belgium, Egypt, Morocco, and France. She holds a Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies in Private International Law and International Business Transactions from the University of Paris I (Sorbonne); and an LL.M. in Comparative Law from the University Of San Diego School Of Law, where she was a Sorbonne Scholar.
Ms. Haridi is a member of the bars of New York, California, and England & Wales.
She is fluent in French and Arabic and is also conversant in Spanish.
