The United Arab Emirates has taken a significant step toward strengthening its reputation as an arbitration-friendly jurisdiction.
On August 04, 2025, the Committee for the Unification of Federal and Local Judicial Principles (Committee) issued a landmark clarification: only the final page of an arbitral award must be signed for the award to be valid.
This clarification resolves years of uncertainty stemming from inconsistent court rulings and reinforces the UAE’s commitment to aligning its arbitration practices with global standards.
Previously, Dubai courts had invalidated awards where arbitrators failed to sign every page, creating uncertainty, delay, and added costs for parties citing strict interpretations of procedural rules. The Committee tasked with unifying judicial interpretations across federal and local courts has now resolved this issue, providing definitive guidance that brings UAE practice in line with leading international arbitration jurisdictions. The new guidance eliminates this technical hurdle, reinforcing the UAE’s standing as a reliable, arbitration-friendly jurisdiction for cross-border disputes.
Procedural Clarification
- Only the last page of the award needs to be signed by the tribunal.
- Aligns UAE arbitration practice with international standards.
- Prevents technical objections that could otherwise derail enforcement.
The decision draws on Article 41(6) of Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 on Arbitration (as amended), which requires that awards be signed by the arbitrators but does not expressly mandate signatures on every page. Past interpretations of this article and related provisions in Federal Law No. 42 of 2022 (Civil Procedure Law) fueled confusion. The Committee’s clarification affirms that the law requires only a single signature on the final page, aligning UAE arbitration practice with leading institutional arbitration rules.
Implications for Businesses
The clarification provides greater certainty and efficiency for parties arbitrating in the UAE, eliminating a procedural hurdle that previously put awards at risk of annulment. Parties arbitrating in the UAE can now expect fewer technical challenges to awards, lower administrative burdens, and smoother enforcement in local courts. This reduces both cost and risk in resolving disputes through arbitration.
Next Steps for Clients
- Review Arbitration Clauses to ensure consistency with best practice.
- Update Internal Procedures to reflect the new signing standard.
- Communicate with Stakeholders to reinforce confidence in the UAE as a secure seat for arbitration.
If you have any questions about this article please contact Mohammed Alsuwaidi at alsuwaidi@alsuwaidi.ae and Merline Dsouza at merline@alsuwaidi.ae.