Saudi Arabia has undergone a paradigm shift in its approach to dispute resolution, emerging as one of the most progressive arbitration jurisdictions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This transformation is deeply rooted in Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s ambitious socio-economic reform agenda, which has prioritized legal modernization, judicial efficiency, and international competitiveness.
Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has implemented sweeping legislative reforms, established world-class arbitration institutions, and embraced cutting-edge digital solutions to create a dispute resolution ecosystem that rivals traditional hubs like London, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration (‘SCCA’) Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration | Arbitrators aims to attract both foreign and domestic investment by streamlining the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms of arbitration and mediation. SCCA has been instrumental in this evolution, positioning itself as a neutral, efficient, and globally trusted arbitral institution.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the major changes in Saudi Arabia’s dispute resolution landscape, examining six Main Pillars:
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- Legislative and Institutional Reforms
- Digital Transformation and Efficiency Gains
- Growing International Trust and Caseload Expansion
- Judicial Cooperation and Enforcement Trends
- Investment in Future Talent and Thought Leadership
- Challenges and Future Prospects
By exploring these developments, we assess how Saudi Arabia is reshaping global arbitration and what lies ahead for its dispute resolution framework.
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Legislative and Institutional Reforms: Building a Modern Arbitration Framework
Vision 2030 and Legal Modernization
The groundbreaking Vision 2030 agenda, personally championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has driven an unprecedented wave of legal and judicial reforms throughout Saudi Arabia. At the heart of this transformation has been the Kingdom’s meticulous review and modernization of over 1,200 pieces of legislation, a massive undertaking facilitated by the revolutionary “Istitlaa” Public Consultation Platform. This digital consultation tool has not only brought unprecedented transparency to the legislative process but has also ensured that Saudi laws now reflect the most current international legal practices and commercial standards.
The resulting legal framework overhaul has been particularly transformative for the business environment, with updated arbitration laws and commercial codes creating a more predictable, efficient legal system that aligns with global norms while respecting local traditions – a delicate balance that has significantly enhanced Saudi Arabia’s attractiveness to foreign investors and international businesses.
Saudi Arabia has established a modern arbitration framework through key legislative reforms. The amended Saudi Arbitration Law (2012/2023) 2023 SCCA Arbitration Rules – From the International Arbitration Community Perspective now fully aligns with UNCITRAL standards, ensuring party autonomy, arbitrator independence, and efficient award enforcement. Complementing this, the new Companies Law actively promotes arbitration clauses in commercial contracts.
These reforms serve a dual purpose: reducing court congestion through alternative dispute resolution while boosting investor confidence in Saudi Arabia’s business environment. Together, they position the Kingdom as an emerging hub for both domestic and international commercial arbitration.
This blog is a part of our Doing Business Legally in Saudi Arabia: A Complete Guide to the Commercial Companies Law blogposts.
The SCCA’s Governance Overhaul
The Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) has strengthened its governance through a reconstituted 2025 Board of Directors featuring distinguished international and local experts. Led by Chairman Dr. Walid Abanumay with Vice-Chair Toby Landau KC, this diverse leadership ensures the institution maintains world-class arbitration standards while reinforcing its credibility as a neutral dispute resolution body. The board’s global composition reflects the SCCA’s commitment to aligning with international best practices in commercial arbitration., as mentioned in SCCA Board of Directors and Advisory Committee are reshaped
SCCA Court (Est. 2023), According to Prof. Jan Paulsson, SCCA President, an independent judicial arm resolved 323 procedural matters since inception, including arbitrator appointments (73 cases) and award scrutiny (52 cases).This is highlighted in a recent study by the world leading international arbitration journal Saudi Arabia – Global Arbitration Review.
The SCCA has further enhanced its institutional framework through its Global Advisory Committee, a 15-member expert panel chaired by Richard Naimark. This distinguished group provides strategic guidance on modernizing arbitration rules, published its revised SCCA Arbitration Rules on 1 May 2023, while monitoring global dispute resolution trends. These governance improvements have established the SCCA as an independent, transparent, and efficient arbitration institution, deliberately insulated from government influence to strengthen its appeal for international commercial disputes. The committee’s multinational composition ensures the SCCA remains at the forefront of arbitration best practices while maintaining cultural relevance in the MENA region. Global Advisory Committee – Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration | Arbitrators
Digital Transformation: Revolutionizing Arbitration Efficiency
SCCA’s Tech-Driven Case Management
Saudi Arabia has revolutionized its arbitration processes through complete digital integration, setting new benchmarks and ENHANCING ARBITRATION EFFICIENCY THROUGH TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION IN SAUDI ARABIA The SCCA’s fully electronic filing system has eliminated traditional paperwork bottlenecks, allowing parties to submit materials instantly from anywhere in the world. Behind the scenes, more than 600 automated procedures ensure smooth case progression, covering everything from arbitrator selection to fee calculations and award preparation.
The digital transformation culminates in the issuance of e-awards, which parties receive electronically immediately upon completion. While physical copies can be provided when needed, the standard digital delivery ensures swift enforcement while reducing administrative costs. This end-to-end digital approach has positioned Saudi arbitration as both environmentally responsible and exceptionally responsive to the needs of modern international business.
Integration with National Digital Infrastructure
Saudi Arabia’s “Najiz” digital justice platform has transformed dispute resolution by moving 160+ judicial services online, including critical arbitration award enforcement procedures. This technological leap earned the Kingdom a top-tier global ranking (4th) for digital government services, surpassing numerous developed nations’ systems in accessibility and efficiency. The platform’s success reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to building a future-ready legal infrastructure. What Is Najiz E-Platform? – Saudipedia
The numbers speak volumes about the system’s performance. Multi-million-dollar disputes are resolved in under half a year, with awards typically finalized within seven months—benchmarks that outpace conventional arbitration centers. Even exceptionally complex cases wrap up in under 14 months, setting new standards for timely justice in high-stakes commercial matters.
By merging cutting-edge digital solutions with optimized arbitration procedures, Saudi Arabia has created what may be the world’s most efficient dispute resolution framework. This combination of speed, transparency, and reliability is reshaping perceptions of the Kingdom as a premier destination for international arbitration.
Growing International Trust: The SCCA’s Expanding Caseload
Record Case Filings
Global Arbitration Review, Saudi Arabia – Global Arbitration Review, also quote that, SCCA has seen unprecedented growth in arbitration cases:
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- 2024 Filings: 120 new cases (30.4% increase from 2023).
- Arbitration-Specific Growth: 58.7% rise (46 cases in 2023 → 73 in 2024).
- Historical Trends: Consistent 50%+ annual growth since 2020, outpacing global economic challenges and reinforcing its position as a regional leader in innovation and economic resilience.
Sectoral and Geographic Diversity
The SCCA’s caseload reflects strong sectoral diversity, led by construction (38%), professional services (18%), and employment disputes (13%), with growing activity in capital markets (7.5%). Its international reach spans parties from 29 countries, including multinational corporations, demonstrating the institution’s expanding global relevance beyond domestic Saudi disputes.
Judicial Cooperation and Enforcement Trends
Pro-Arbitration Judiciary
Saudi Arabia’s judiciary has shown consistent support for arbitration, as evidenced by remarkably low annulment rates. An international Law firm validates that in 2023, the KSA appeal courts only annulled awards made in arbitration in 7.2% of cases. This New data shows growth of arbitration in Saudi Arabia and local judiciary support.
The courts have maintained an equally restrained approach to public policy challenges. A mere 2.6% of annulment requests prevailed on public policy grounds, demonstrating the judiciary’s commitment to upholding arbitral awards except in the most exceptional circumstances. This pro-arbitration stance provides parties with greater certainty and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s arbitration-friendly environment.
Regional Collaboration
Building on the success of the 2024 New York Convention Roadshow in Riyadh, on 27 February 2025, ICCA once again joined forces with the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA), this time also with the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Arab States (GCC), and the support of the Council for International Dispute Resolution of the Kingdom of Bahrain (CIDR), to host a second edition of the Roadshow in the capital of Saudi Arabia, this time at a regional level harmonizing arbitration award enforcement across Gulf jurisdictions Regional New York Convention Roadshow in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | ICCA. This unprecedented judicial cooperation initiative gathered regional judges and international experts to lively discussions e-filing, Najiz platform, and AI in arbitration and exchange of experience, while addressing practical enforcement hurdles.
The accompanying Arabic launch of ICCA’s updated Convention Guide provided vital resources to support consistent implementation, strengthening the GCC’s framework for cross-border dispute resolution and reinforcing the region’s commitment to arbitration-friendly practices.
The second edition of the Riyadh International Disputes Week (RIDW25) has wrapped up in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The numbers spoke for themselves: RIDW25 Concludes with Participants from 82 Countries – Riyadh International Disputes Week that estimates to 5,300 attendees had transformed Riyadh into the undisputed epicentre of MENA legal dialogue. The centrepiece of this year’s programming was the SCCA25 Global Arbitration Summit, which explored the transformative potential of arbitration under the banner “Legal Systems and Dispute Resolution: Foundations for Economic Evolution.”
The flagship event of RIDW25 was the SCCA fourth International Conference and Exhibition (SCCA25) which brought together prominent legal figures from various sectors and was attended by 1,350 participants from Saudi Arabia and abroad. SCCA25 included nine panel discussions, keynote speeches, and presentations, featuring 28 speakers who discussed key issues related to furthering the arbitration environment and enhancing integration in international legal practices.
The conference’s prestigious roster included expert panels that delved into how modern ADR frameworks and the rule of law serve as essential infrastructure for attracting foreign investment and enabling cross-border commerce in dynamic economies.
Investment in Future Talent and Thought Leadership
SCCA Academy and Training Programs
The SCCA Academy has significantly advanced arbitration expertise in the region through its strategic partnership with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), having trained over 1,800 legal practitioners across various dispute resolution disciplines Welcome – SCCA Academy.
Complementing this effort, the Academy offers bilingual Arabic/English programs specifically designed to address the MENA region’s unique legal landscape. These culturally adapted courses ensure practitioners gain relevant skills while bridging common language barriers in international arbitration, making specialized knowledge more accessible across the Arab world.
SCCA International Arabic Moot (SIAM)
The sixth edition of SIAM exemplifies SCCA’s commitment to nurturing future arbitration leaders. This year, 154 teams from 124 universities representing 24 countries showcased their advocacy skills and mastered the art of arbitration. The 924 students were judged by 663 arbitrators who volunteered their time to hear 231 hearings. SIAM aligns with SCCA’s strategic goal to educate and empower the next generation while reducing the outflow of regional disputes to other jurisdictions; thereby fostering a robust and self-reliant arbitration ecosystem.
At its core, SIAM addresses a critical regional need by developing homegrown arbitration talent. By cultivating Arabic-language expertise and practical skills, the program directly supports Saudi Arabia’s strategic goal to reduce dependence on foreign arbitration services and establish local dispute resolution capabilities. This unprecedented scale highlights the event’s growing global recognition as the premier Arabic arbitration competition. Saudi Arabia – Global Arbitration Review
Challenges and Future Prospects
Perception Challenges: While Saudi Arabia’s arbitration framework has advanced significantly, some international parties remain hesitant, favouring established hubs like London or Singapore due to familiarity and legacy preferences.
Cross-Border Enforcement: The Kingdom continues working to strengthen recognition of Saudi-seated awards globally, particularly in non-GCC jurisdictions where enforcement mechanisms may be less tested.
By 2030, the SCCA aims to rank among the world’s top 10 arbitration venues through global outreach. Concurrently, it’s piloting AI tools to accelerate case processing – from smart document review to outcome prediction – setting new benchmarks for tech-enabled dispute resolution.
Environmental impact
There has been a growing awareness in the industry over recent years of the environmental impact of arbitrations, which traditionally have involved large volumes of physical documents and extensive travel by parties, lawyers, witnesses and tribunal members. It is therefore encouraging to see that the SCCA Rules expressly encourage the Arbitral Tribunal and parties to consider how the use of technology and electronic evidence could be used to reduce the environmental impact of the arbitration.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia’s dispute resolution system has undergone a remarkable transformation under Vision 2030, with the SCCA serving as the cornerstone of this evolution. Through comprehensive legal reforms, cutting-edge digital solutions, consistent judicial backing, and strategic international engagement, the Kingdom has firmly established itself as a preferred arbitration hub. As these innovations continue to develop, Saudi Arabia is poised to play an increasingly influential role in shaping global alternative dispute resolution practices, potentially redefining international arbitration standards in the years ahead. This progressive approach demonstrates how the Kingdom is successfully balancing regional legal traditions with global best practices to create a modern, efficient dispute resolution framework.
