The total number of arbitration cases filed before CRCICA until 31 March 2014 reached 959 cases. In the first quarter of 2014, 17 new arbitration cases were filed.
CRCICA’s caseload in the first quarter of 2014 involved disputes relating to lease agreements, hotel management, supply, construction, subcontracting agreements, joint venture agreements, information technology, agency agreements, media and entertainment, sports-related agreements, sale and purchase of shares, real estate and settlement agreements.
The first quarter of 2014 witnessed the filing of four cases arising out of lease agreements, three of which relate to commercial units, including two in a commercial center in Alexandria, while the third one is located in 6 October City. The fourth case relates to the lease of a hypermarket in a well-known shopping mall in Cairo.
Two other cases arising out of hotel management agreements were filed during the first quarter of 2014. The first one relates to a hotel in Alexandria, while the other pertains to a hotel in Hurghada.
Other cases relate to disputes arising out of the supply of desalinated water to a touristic complex in Sharm El-Sheikh, a subcontracting agreement for finishing works for a residential compound in Mokatam, Cairo, the sale of the marketing and commercial rights of a national federation of a popular sport, a settlement agreement already recorded in a consent award, the development of a touristic project in Zafranah, Suez, a joint venture agreement regarding the import and export of printing equipment as well as the purchase of a software license.
It is worth noting that the first quarter of 2014 has also witnessed the filing of four international arbitrations relating to the construction of the district cooling plant for a mega project in New Cairo, the sale and purchase of shares of a leading company specializing in establishing, operating and managing fixed and wireless telecommunication networks, an agency agreement regarding the sale of flight tickets for a well-known Arab air carrier as well as a satellite broadcasting contract.
The total sums in disputes filed under the auspices of the Centre during the first quarter of 2014 amounted to US $ 64,818,868.
The following pie shows a breakdown of the types of disputed contracts during the first quarter of 2014:
The rich variety of the types of disputed contracts referred to CRCICA in the first quarter of 2014 clearly illustrates the importance of arbitration as a means of dispute settlement and confirms the credibility of institutional arbitration under CRCICA’s auspices.
In the first quarter of 2014, arbitration proceedings involved parties from different countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UK, USA, Kuwait and British Virgin Islands. CRCICA is satisfied to see that its Arbitration Rules have recently been selected by parties from USA and Kuwait in addition to its usual users from Saudi Arabia.
The following pie shows a breakdown of the nationalities of non-Egyptian parties during the first quarter of 2014:
The first quarter of 2014 witnessed the appointment of arbitrators coming from Egypt and the U.K. It is expected that arbitrators from other nationalities will be appointed by the parties or the co-arbitrators thus enabling the full composition of the arbitral tribunals.
