The DIFC has launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to the <span class="news-text_italic-underline">2008 DIFC Arbitration Law</span>, which was last amended in 2013. To support the consultation, the DIFC has issued Consultation Paper No 2 of 2026, developed with input from the DIFC Courts and arbitration practitioners. The paper provides a summary explanation of the proposed legislation and includes two annexes: Annex A, containing a tracked draft of the amended Arbitration Law and Annex B, a response table for consultees to submit comments.
The proposed amendments are designed to bring DIFC arbitration law into line with modern international arbitration practice. They follow a comparative review of arbitration rules from leading institutions, including the LCIA, ICC and DIAC, as well as arbitration legislation from common law jurisdictions such as England and Wales, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong. The review also considered other UAE arbitration frameworks, including the <span class="news-text_italic-underline">ADGM Regulations 2015</span> and the <span class="news-text_italic-underline">UAE Federal Arbitration Law 2018.</span>
One of the proposed changes is to amend the title of the legislation to reflect a new statutory framework for mediation. The draft amendments would significantly broaden the powers and procedural tools available to arbitral tribunals. These include powers relating to security for costs, consolidation, joinder, summary determination, provisional awards, peremptory orders and the appointment of emergency arbitrators. The tribunal’s remedial powers would also be clarified, including confirmation that tribunals may issue partial and separate awards.
The proposed reforms would also expand the powers of the DIFC Court. In particular, the Court would be empowered to extend time for commencing arbitration and for issuing awards. The amendments would also clarify the law governing arbitration agreements. A notable procedural change is the proposed reduction of the time limit for applying to set aside an arbitral award from three months to 30 days.
The consultation also addresses ex parte applications and the court enforcement of interim measures. In addition, the draft amendments would introduce new disclosure obligations in relation to third-party funding. Other proposed updates seek to introduce more flexible exceptions to confidentiality, refine the costs regime and modernise methods of communication and drafting.
The consultation is open for 30 days. Responses should be submitted using the template in Annex B to the consultation paper, either by post to the Chief Legal Officer of the DIFC Authority or by email to <a href="mailto:consultation@difc.ae" class="news-text_link">consultation@difc.ae</a>.
After the consultation closes, the DIFC will review the responses received and consider whether any revisions should be made to the proposed amendments. Once finalised, the amendments will be enacted and brought into force on a specified date.
<span class="news-text_medium">Source:</span> DIFC, DIFC Announces Consultation on amended DIFC Arbitration Law, 12 June 2026.
