The Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR) was honored to host The Honourable Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of Law and Justice, and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs of the Republic of India, during his official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The visit underscored the deep-rooted relationship between India and Bahrain and highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation in the fields of law and international commercial dispute resolution.

Minister Meghwal was warmly welcomed at the BCDR headquarters by Professor Marike Paulsson, Secretary General of the Council for International Dispute Resolution and Vice-Chair of the BCDR Board of Trustees. Also present were Mr. Ahmed Husain, Chief Executive Officer of the BCDR, along with senior members of the BCDR’s management team and staff. The delegation participated in productive discussions on enhancing cooperation between Bahrain and India.

The visit to the BCDR is a testament to the institution’s growing reputation as a leading center for international commercial dispute resolution in the region. The discussions highlighted the mutual recognition of the importance of robust and efficient dispute resolution mechanisms in fostering international trade and investment.

During the visit, Professor Paulsson presented Minister Meghwal with a copy of the publication “Arbitration in India,” which she co-published. The gesture symbolized the shared commitment to advancing legal scholarship and practice between the two nations.

MANAMA, BAHRAIN – The Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR) and the Russian Arbitration Center (RAC) at the Russian Institute of Modern Arbitration signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 26 May 2025 to enhance the resolution of international disputes. The signing took place during the Russian International Arbitration Congress (RIAC) in Moscow. The MoU was signed by Professor Marike Paulsson, Vice Chairperson of the BCDR Board of Trustees and Chair of the Executive Committee of the BCDR, and Yulia Mullina, CEO of the RAC, at the RAC’s offices in Moscow. This partnership aims to strengthen cooperation in arbitration by organizing a series of joint conferences, seminars, and workshops in Bahrain and Russia. The MoU also promotes the exchange of expertise and encourages engagement by inviting stakeholders from each party’s local arbitration community to participate in key events hosted by the other, including those organized by the Russian Arbitration Center in Bahrain and by BCDR in Russia. Professor Marike Paulsson stated that the partnership with the RAC affirms BCDR’s commitment to advancing the global arbitration landscape. She noted that combining resources and expertise will improve services for the international business community. Yulia Mullina said that the MoU with BCDR represents a milestone for the Russian arbitration community, and she expressed hope for a fruitful cooperation that would support the exchange of knowledge and best practices to benefit all stakeholders in international arbitration. This MoU, along with previous agreements with other centers, demonstrates BCDR’s ongoing dedication to advancing Bahrain’s position as a modern and dependable hub for international dispute resolution.

Professor Marike Patrani Paulsson, Vice Chairperson of the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution and Secretary General of the Council for International Dispute Resolution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, participated at the main plenary event of the 13th St. Petersburg International Legal Forum. The Forum, attended by 6,000 participants and live-streamed worldwide, was held from May 19 to 21, 2025, and assembled an international audience, including policymakers and legal experts, under the title “The Law: Lessons of the Past for the World of the Future.”

The plenary session commenced with a keynote address by Dmitry Medvedev, the former President of the Russian Federation and current Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council. The other plenary speakers invited to address the Forum included Professor Paulsson, as well Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi (President of INTERPOL); Felix Ulloa (Vice-President of the Republic of El Salvador); Karin Kneissl (former Austrian Foreign Minister and chair of G.O.R.K.I at Saint Petersburg State University); and Mateus Saize (Minister of Justice, and of Constitutional and Religious Matters of Mozambique).

Professor Paulsson’s speech explored vital themes: historical lessons and the ongoing role of the UN Charter; the critical role of multilateral adjudicative bodies in ensuring due process and access to neutral justice during conflict; and the complex relationship between sovereignty and the implementation of UN due process mechanisms. She also presented Bahrain’s perspective on neutral justice with the creation of its new international hub.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Professor Marike Patrani Paulsson attended a meeting between the plenary speakers and Mr Medvedev to compare perspectives and prospects. In addition, she had productive talks with Mr Konstantin Chuychenko, the Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation, to discuss future collaboration on promoting arbitration, further strengthening Bahrain’s commitment to advancing international dispute resolution.

Professor Marike Paulsson, Vice Chairperson of the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution and Secretary General of The Council for International Dispute Resolution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, participated in the 4th ADGM-ICSID Joint Conference on International Dispute Settlement, at the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

During the conference, Professor Marike Paulsson joined Kristin Campbell-Wilson, CEO of ArbitraD, and Judge Shamlan Al Sawalehi, Court of Appeal Judge at the DIFC Courts, in a panel discussion on the future of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mediation in the region. The dialogue showcased Bahrain’s growing strategic alliance with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and its commitment to fostering international collaborations in dispute resolution across the region. It also emphasized the importance of capacity building and the development of young talent, underscoring the importance of nurturing the next generation of dispute resolution professionals across the Gulf region.

On the sidelines of the participation, Professor Marike Paulsson met with Linda Fitz-Alan, Registrar and Chief Executive of ADGM Courts, to explore potential collaborations and partnerships between the Council for International Dispute Resolution of Bahrain and the ADGM Commercial Courts. These discussions focused on enhancing joint initiatives, sharing best practices, and building institutional synergies to elevate standards of international commercial dispute resolution. It was agreed that Bahrain will take the lead in establishing a dedicated circle of arbitration executives from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This initiative aims to unite regional leaders in arbitration and jointly promote the Gulf as a premier and reliable destination for international arbitration and dispute settlement.

The Council for International Dispute Resolution of Bahrain’s participation in the ADGM-ICSID conference marks a significant step towards advancing regional collaboration and excellence in international dispute resolution. Future initiatives will include joint workshops, talent development schemes, and the forging of stronger institutional partnerships, reaffirming Bahrain’s role as a neutral hub for international dispute settlement in the Gulf.

The Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR) has announced the promotion of four Bahraini professionals to senior leadership positions, underscoring the Chamber’s commitment to strengthening its institutional structure and advancing its strategic goals.

Mr. Bassam Ghassan Beidas as Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Yousif Abdulnabi Al Saif has been appointed Director of Information and Communication Technology, Ms. Fatema Radhi Al Wardi as Director of Operations, and Ms. Fatema Waleed AlZayed AlJalahma as Senior Case Manager.

Commenting on the promotions, Mr. Ahmed Husain, Chief Executive Officer of BCDR, stated that these promotions are a testament to the Chamber’s strategic vision of becoming a leading regional centre for dispute resolution, and emphasised that empowering Bahraini talent and assigning them to leadership roles is integral to BCDR’s mission of cultivating a professional and high-performing work environment aligned with international best practices.

Mr. Husain further added, “Empowering national talent to leadership roles underscores the Chamber’s commitment to nurturing its human capital and fostering a culture of excellence and professionalism. These promotions not only reflect our investment in the capabilities of our team but also strengthen our capacity to achieve strategic objectives. We are pleased to officially welcome our colleagues into their new roles and look forward to the valuable contributions they will make in advancing the Chamber’s institutional development and leadership.”

The Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR) proudly announces the Kingdom of Bahrain’s formal accession to the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, also known as the “Singapore Convention on Mediation.” This significant event took place on 8 April 2025, at the UN Headquarters in New York, where Bahrain became the sixteenth State Party. The Convention will officially take effect for the Kingdom on 17 August 2025.

Professor Marike Paulsson, Secretary-General of the Council for International Dispute Resolution and Vice-Chair of the BCDR Board of Trustees, participated in the formal deposit ceremony alongside Ms. Anna Joubin-Bret, Secretary-General of UNCITRAL, and H.E. Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, the Permanent Representative of Bahrain to the United Nations in New York. Her participation emphasizes BCDR’s strategic alignment with global initiatives that support international trade law and modernize dispute resolution. The Singapore Convention is a landmark treaty providing a harmonized legal framework for enforcing international mediated settlement agreements, reducing legal risks and encouraging global commerce.

Bahrain’s accession to this Convention strategically supports its goal of becoming a leading international dispute resolution hub in the Middle East, aligning its legal infrastructure with national economic diversification efforts. This commitment is reflected in BCDR’s dedication to offering a full range of dispute resolution services, including mediation. BCDR’s commercial mediation services, governed by its comprehensive Mediation Rules, provide an efficient and cost-effective way to resolve commercial disputes. The availability of an enforceable framework for mediated settlements will significantly boost the attractiveness and effectiveness of BCDR’s mediation services.

Professor Marike Paulsson commented, “Bahrain’s accession to the Singapore Convention demonstrates the Kingdom’s forward-thinking approach in international trade and commercial dispute resolution. This move showcases a continuous pursuit of modern, effective, and collaborative practices that will benefit businesses both domestically and internationally.”

This important step marks a new chapter for Bahrain in fostering a competitive and transparent environment for international trade. By joining the Singapore Convention, Bahrain is well-positioned to strengthen its reputation as a modern and reliable hub for global business and dispute resolution.

Professor Marike Paulsson, Vice Chairperson of the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution and Secretary-General of the Council for International Dispute Resolution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, participated in the Riyadh International Dispute Resolution Week (RIDW25), held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from February 23-27, under the theme “Managing International Commercial Relations: Legal Reforms, Business Strategies, Expertise, Ethics, and Conflicts of Interest in Dispute Resolution.” The forum brought together a number of international experts and specialists in the field of dispute resolution.

On the occasion of the RIDW25, The International Dispute Resolution Council of the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted its inaugural roundtable since its establishment. The session featured a distinguished panel of global experts in dispute resolution and was moderated by the Council’s Secretary-General. Professor Paulsson engaged in a rich dialogue with Martina Polasek, Secretary-General of the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), Tom Sikora of ExxonMobil and Ken Hyatt of the Harvard Negotiation Project.

While deliberations by states are ongoing at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, the Council announced reform proposals mapping out a way to launch dispute prevention and mediation in the region and beyond. The Council has already received support from stakeholders in India and Saudi Arabia and will establish a task force with thought leaders to develop the reforms, reflecting the Council’s commitment to supporting global efforts to develop dispute resolution mechanisms and enhance the international investment environment.

In a celebratory conclusion to the event, the Secretary-General of ICSID added the final touches to a commemorative artwork by the renowned Bahraini artist Abbas Almosawi, marking the establishment of the International Dispute Resolution Council.

MANAMA, BAHRAIN – Demonstrating close cooperation, the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR) held a meeting with the Bahrain Bar Society on Sunday, 12 January 2025. The meeting was attended by BCDR’s Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Husain, along with other officials. At the same time, the Bahrain Bar Society was represented by its President, Salah Ahmed Al Medfa’, and members of the Board of Directors. Both sides emphasized ongoing cooperation and dialogue between the two organizations.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in alternative dispute resolution and to share legal expertise and knowledge. They also discussed effective feedback methods for the services BCDR provides to Bahrain’s legal community.

The BCDR welcomed the views and comments of the Bar Society, aiming to develop more effective dispute resolution mechanisms.

At the end of the meeting, BCDR’s CEO, Ahmed Husain, presented a commemorative gift to the President of the Bahrain Bar Society as a token of appreciation and mutual respect.

This meeting highlights BCDR’s commitment to fostering cooperation to benefit Bahrain’s legal community.