Understanding the Latest Legal Reforms and Their Impact on Commercial Dispute Resolution

The UAE is rapidly transforming its approach to commercial dispute resolution through significant legislative reforms, institutional initiatives, and greater alignment with international best practices. As mediation becomes an increasingly important mechanism for resolving commercial disputes, legal professionals must understand the evolving legal framework and its practical implications.

Join LexisNexis and DIFC Academy for this 2-hour CLPD-certified webinar, designed to provide lawyers and legal professionals with a practical overview of the latest developments shaping mediation in the UAE. The session explores the new national mediation and conciliation framework, the latest initiative for commercial mediation by the DIFC Courts, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Mediation Hub MENA, recent Ministry of Justice initiatives, and the UAE’s accession to the Singapore Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation.

Through expert insights and practical analysis, participants will gain a clear understanding of how these developments are reshaping commercial dispute resolution, influencing legal strategy, and creating new opportunities to resolve disputes more efficiently and effectively.

COURSE DETAILS:

Date: Thursday, 22 September 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Venue: Live Webinar (Zoom)
Accreditation: 2 CLPD Accredited Points
Certification: Includes comprehensive course handouts and a Certificate of Completion

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the key legislative and institutional developments shaping mediation in the UAE
• Analyse the impact of recent mediation reforms on commercial dispute resolution
• Evaluate when mediation is the appropriate strategy alongside litigation and arbitration
• Apply the latest mediation developments to advise clients and manage commercial disputes effectively

SPEAKER

Dr. Aseel Zimmo, FCIArb Bilingual Arbitrator & Mediator The First Link for Disputes Dr. Aseel Zimmo, FCIArb, is an independent international commercial arbitrator and IMI-certified commercial mediator with extensive experience in complex cross-border commercial disputes. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and member of its teaching faculty, she has conducted institutional and ad hoc arbitrations and mediations under leading international rules across sectors including construction, telecommunications, real estate, and corporate disputes.Dual-qualified in both civil and common law systems, Dr Zimmo previously served as Senior Advisor to the Bahrain Minister of Justice and Chief Justice. She holds a PhD in International Commercial Arbitration from the London School of Economics and is a recognised trainer and lecturer in arbitration, mediation, negotiation, and international commercial law.

IN COLLABORATION WITH

Join LexisNexis and DIFC Academy for this 2-hour CLPD-certified webinar, designed to provide lawyers and legal professionals with a practical overview of the latest developments shaping mediation in the UAE.