Dubai 13 November 2025
The Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA) played a prominent role in the innovative “Arbitration Auction: Bidding for the Future of Dispute Resolution” event, a highlight of Dubai Arbitration Week on November 13, 2025. The Centre’s Director, Prof. Dr. Ismail Selim, leveraged the unique auction-style format to address a fundamental pillar of international arbitration: the Neutrality and Impartiality of Arbitrators.
CRCICA’s chosen contribution, titled “Reasoned Decisions on Arbitrators’ Challenges”—its designated “Lot”—was introduced in the first stage of the session. In a concise and impactful presentation, Prof. Dr. Selim presented the Centre’s perspective and potential solutions for enhancing the integrity of the appointment process. The core focus was on the need for transparent, well-reasoned decisions when arbitral institutions rule on challenges against arbitrators. This emphasis is critical for maintaining user confidence and bolstering the legitimacy of the entire arbitration system by ensuring that all parties fully understand the grounds upon which challenges are upheld or dismissed.
The event, which was co-moderated by Dr. Faris Nasrallah (Crescent Petroleum) and another moderator, adopted a vibrant, Sotheby’s-inspired structure to foster engagement and creativity. Alongside submissions from six other major arbitration centers, CRCICA’s “Lot” contributed to a collective vision for the future of dispute resolution. The session concluded with attendees placing “bids” on their preferred solutions via an app, signifying a user-driven endorsement of the proposals that best address the needs and expectations of the international arbitration community. CRCICA’s active participation, as noted in the broader Dubai Arbitration Week agenda, demonstrates its continuing leadership and its commitment to shaping best practices across the MENA region and globally.
