Strengthening Global Mediation: Dubai Legal Affairs Department Visits CNDR at UC Law SF

The Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (CNDR) at UC Law San Francisco recently had the honor of hosting a delegation from the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department (LAD). Participating in the delegation were Rama Salih, Senior Legal Officer, Assistant Head of the Government Legal Support Section, and Abdul Nasir Khamlichi, Acting Head of Professional Development for Advocates and Legal Consultants, who visited San Francisco during the week of January 27, 2025, to engage in an enriching exchange of knowledge and best practices in mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

The LAD has played a pioneering role in advancing mediation in Dubai and the broader MENA region. With over 15 years of experience mediating government disputes, the LAD was at the forefront of ADR development even before the UAE implemented its first mediation law in 2021.  Recognizing the importance of institutionalizing mediation as an effective means of resolving disputes, LAD launched an ambitious “Mediation Project” in 2021 to further develop a robust mediation framework for Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and beyond.

As part of this initiative, LAD collaborates with leading ADR institutions worldwide such as the ADR Center in Rome, and the delegation’s visit to CNDR marked a significant step in that journey.  Their engagement allowed for meaningful discussions about the design of court-connected and private mediation centers, such as whether cases should be referred to mediation on a mandatory or voluntary basis, the optimal time period for referring cases to mediation, and how to define and measure the “success” of a mediation program.  Many of these issues are treated in depth, from multiple different jurisdictional perspectives, during CNDR’s one-of-a-kind International Mediation Development and Leadership Institute, which will next take place in September 2025.

CNDR Director and Professor of Law Hiro Aragaki welcomed the opportunity to engage with LAD’s thought leaders, stating, “The LAD delegation’s visit to UC law SF highlights the global reach of CNDR and reinforces our commitment to fostering international collaboration in ADR.  The LAD’s pioneering work in Dubai is inspiring, and we are honored to be part of their journey in shaping the future of mediation.”  During their stay in San Francisco, the LAD also took the opportunity to visit other key ADR institutions, such as JAMS.

The LAD’s visit was both a recognition of UC Law SF’s thought leadership in the ADR space as well as a testament to the importance of mediation as an increasingly important pillar in the administration of civil justice worldwide.  CNDR is proud to support and collaborate with such esteemed international partners in the pursuit of more effective and accessible dispute resolution mechanisms.