The first internationally accredited mediation training in Arabic

​The Legal Affairs Department launches an international training program in the Mediation and Amicable Settlement of Civil and Commercial Disputes

The Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department, in collaboration with the ADR Center, an internationally accredited center for qualifying mediators, launched a training program in Arabic and English for the mediation of civil and commercial disputes. The training was attended by 41 participants from government entities in the Emirate of Dubai and legal consultancy firms registered with the Department, in addition to 20 lawyers from the Department.

The program, the first internationally accredited training of its kind to be provided in Arabic, which runs for forty training hours from 24 October to 4 November, qualifies participants in acquiring fundamental skills in alternative civil and commercial dispute resolution and mastering the techniques of professional mediators in line with best international standards and practices. Participants who complete the training are certified as internationally accredited mediators from the International Mediation Institute.

His Excellency Dr. Lowai Mohamed Belhoul, Director General of the Government of Dubai, Legal Affairs Department, said in his inaugural speech of the training program that it "reflects the Department's keenness to strengthen partnership ties with the relevant entities to develop legal skills and expertise in the Emirate of Dubai, especially in the area of mediation as a means of settling disputes" as it is "part of the Department's functions to amicably settle disputes filed by or against the Government or Government entities", with a view to "reaching amicable agreement and avoid resorting to Court" whenever possible.

His Excellency Dr. Belhoul stated that one of the top strategic priorities for the Government of Dubai is to enhance the role of amicable dispute settlement to save time, effort and money, when compared with litigation proceedings. This entails clear procedures that guarantee impartiality and transparency, which enhance public confidence in the integrity of the Government, maximize the effectiveness of mediation in government disputes, and significantly increased the percentage of disputes resolved amicably.

His Excellency Dr. Belhoul explained that this training program launched by the Department, in cooperation with one of the most prominent international centers specializing in this field, combining both theory and practice, solidifies the approach taken by the Government of Dubai, and echoes the significant achievements of the Department which adopts mediation as one of its main means of resolving disputes. The program also is in line with the Department's practices in achieving expeditious justice and allowing parties the opportunity to decide their dispute, through negotiation and mutual agreement in their best interests, thus avoiding the costs and expenses of lengthy litigation, which negatively impacts their relationship. This helps develop the legal community, using expertise and knowledge in fostering the rule of law in the Emirate of Dubai.

For his part, Mr. Leonardo D'Urso, CEO and one of the founders of the ADR Center, expressed his delight in collaborating with the Legal Affairs Department to offer his twenty five years of experience in settling commercial and civil disputes through mediation and to continue efforts to promote the use of mediation in the Emirate of Dubai.

Mr. Constantin-Adi Gavrila, Senior Trainer and International Mediator, noted that the program gives new mediators international dual accreditation in mediation, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills and helping them build the reputation needed to encourage the use of mediation on a larger scale, within and outside of Dubai.



The first internationally accredited mediation training in ArabicThe first internationally accredited mediation training in Arabic

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