Dubai has cemented its status as a leading global arbitration hub, ranking fifth in the world by case volume according to the GAR 100 Data Report published by Global Arbitration Review. The report analyzed more than 11,200 cases from 2015 to 2023, placing Dubai ahead of long-established centers including New York and Geneva.
Dubai's Arbitration Rankings in the GAR 100 Report
The emirate surpassed more than 405 arbitration seats and cities across every key metric measured:
- 5th most popular arbitration seat worldwide by case volume, ahead of New York and Geneva - 9th globally by total case value, outperforming Seoul and Frankfurt - The Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) placed 10th among global arbitration institutions by cases handled, and 9th by case value
Crucially, Dubai is the only arbitration seat — and DIAC the only arbitration centre — from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region to reach the global top 10 in either category.
DIAC's 30-Year Legacy of Dispute Resolution
DIAC has managed more than 5,000 cases over its three decades of operation, with total case values exceeding AED 100 billion. That track record underpins the international confidence now reflected in the GAR 100 rankings.
In 2022, DIAC implemented modernized arbitration standards, restructured its arbitration court, and expanded its directorship — reforms specifically designed to increase efficiency and impartiality for international users.
Leadership and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33
Jehad Kazim, Executive Director of DIAC, said the results speak directly to Dubai's standing with global businesses:
> "The high rankings achieved by both Dubai and DIAC reflect the international business community's confidence in the city as a leading arbitration hub."
The rankings align closely with the targets set under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to position DIAC among the world's top five arbitration centres in the coming years.
About the GAR 100 Data Report
The GAR 100 Data Report is a standard reference for the international arbitration community. It draws on Global Arbitration Review's analysis of more than 11,200 cases filed between 2015 and 2023, evaluating institutional performance, case volume, arbitral behavior, and total case value across more than 405 seats and 315 institutions worldwide.
