Mohamed ElGhatit appointed Director & Registrar of DIFC LCIA Arbitration Centre

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Mohamed ElGhatit appointed Director & Registrar of DIFC LCIA Arbitration Centre

Mohamed ElGhatit has been designated Director & Registrar of the recently restructured DIFC LCIA Arbitration Centre ("the Centre) with effect from 14 February 2016.

The Centre is run by the DIFC Arbitration Institute (DAI) with the assistance of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). DAI is an independent body under the umbrella of the DIFC Dispute Resolution Authority (DRA) and works parallel to, however separately from, the DIFC Courts to supply businesses with an unique option for solving industrial conflicts.

Mohamed, who is currently a senior associate in the conflicts practice of Hogan Lovells, brings more than 10 years' experience working in Dubai and the Middle East. He is bi-lingual (Arabic/English) and routinely functions as counsel and arbitrator in a broad variety of complex and transnational disputes. The Board of Trustees consider that his experience will be a fantastic possession to the Centre as the person in charge of its day to day operations and activities and the management of the Secretariat. In addition to the present group it is envisaged that additional staff will be designated in due course to assist the Director in the performance of his responsibilities.

Most notably, Mohamed will combine casework handling in the Centre's Dubai workplace and drive forward the local and wider development and track record of the Centre to enhance Dubai's role as the significant centre for the resolution of industrial issues for those doing business in and within the Gulf states.

The Centre is located at Ground Level, Building 4, The Gate District DIFC. Telephone: +971 4 427 3376, e-mail: info@difc-lcia.org.

J. William Rowley QC, Chairman of LCIA Board, said: "The choice of a DIFC LCIA stipulation combined with a DIFC seat is progressively viewed as the most sensible option for institutional arbitration for celebrations with business transactions in the Gulf and wider MENA region. Mohamed's energy and well-known arbitration credentials will be a driver for substantial growth in the adoption of the DIFC LCIA stipulation.".

Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof, Director General of LCIA, stated: "The LCIA is delighted with Mohamed's appointment. It will be wonderful to combine casework in Dubai and that Mohamed is multilingual is a fantastic asset. We anticipate dealing with him and to boost the Centre's caseload, guaranteeing the level of quality users of the LCIA are also accustomed to.".

Alec Emmerson, Chief Executive of DIFC Arbitration Institute, said: "The appointment of Mohamed ElGhatit as Registrar & Director of DIFC LCIA Arbitration Centre marks a vital turning point in the revitalisation and advancement of the Centre as a beacon in the region for the timely and reliable resolution of conflicts by arbitration, mediation and other techniques of ADR. Mohamed's previous experience and that he is bi-lingual will be a terrific advantage to the Centre and its users.".

Michael Davison, Head of Litigation and Arbitration at Hogan Lovells, added: "I have actually worked closely with Mohamed over several years and significantly respect his capability and his lots of skills. We are extremely sorry to see him go, but we are delighted we will have the ability to deal with him in his new position to which he is preferably matched. We might be losing a coworker, however we are keeping a valued good friend.".