Arbitration in Bahrain

Clear and Precise Legal Direction and Support for Businesses and Individuals navigating commercial arbitration in Bahrain 

Consult Our Legal Team

Since 2011, Manal Dhahi Legal Group has provided individuals, businesses, and investors with practical legal guidance in the Kingdom of Bahrain. When a commercial dispute is referred to arbitration, clients may face unfamiliar rules, institutions, documentation requirements, and procedural decisions. Our role is to make that journey clearer.

We act as a trusted legal bridge between the client and the arbitration process. We assess the dispute, review the arbitration agreement, explain the available pathway, help prepare the required documentation, and coordinate with the appropriate arbitration institution or independent professionals. We do not act as an arbitral institution, arbitrator, or arbitral tribunal. Our purpose is to help clients approach arbitration with clarity, preparation, and access to the right professional support.

The Arbitration Process in Bahrain

The Kingdom has grown a modern and robust framework for arbitration - both domestic and international. The principal legislation is Law No. 9 of 2015 promulgating the Arbitration Law, which is based on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration. Bahrain is also a contracting state to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, subject to the applicable requirements and declarations. The Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution, commonly known as the BCDR, administers arbitrations where parties have agreed to submit their disputes to the Chamber under its applicable rules.

The appropriate arbitration pathway will depend on the contract, the arbitration agreement, the nature of the dispute, the parties involved, and the applicable law.


Our Arbitration Services

We review the commercial background of the dispute, the parties involved, the relevant contractual documents, and the outcome the client is seeking.

We examine the arbitration clause or agreement to identify important matters such as the selected institution, applicable rules, seat of arbitration, governing law, language, and appointment procedure.

We explain the likely process, principal legal considerations, required documents, potential procedural stages, and decisions the client may need to make.

We help clients organise contracts, correspondence, notices, financial records, supporting evidence, and a clear chronology of the dispute.

Where appropriate, we assist clients with communications and procedural coordination involving the relevant arbitration institution.

We help clients understand and keep track of procedural requirements, submissions, meetings, hearings, and important deadlines in coordination with the professionals handling the arbitration.

Where commercially appropriate, we help clients consider whether negotiation or mediation could provide a practical opportunity to resolve some or all of the dispute.

Areas of Support

Commercial and Corporate Disputes

Guidance concerning disputes arising from commercial contracts, corporate arrangements, partnerships, and business transactions.

Shareholder & JVs

Support in understanding the arbitration pathway for disputes involving ownership rights, management obligations, shareholder agreements, and joint ventures.

 

Construction and Engineering 

Coordination and legal guidance for contractual disputes involving contractors, developers, consultants, suppliers, delay claims, payment issues, and project obligations.

 

Take the Next Step With Confidence

If your contract contains an arbitration clause, a commercial dispute has arisen, or you have received an arbitration notice, early guidance can help protect your position and prevent avoidable procedural difficulties.

Schedule a Private Consultation

FAQ's Related to Arbitration in Bahrain

  Do I need an arbitration clause?  

Arbitration generally requires an agreement between the parties. It may appear as a clause in the original contract or as a separate agreement entered into before or after the dispute arises. The agreement should be legally reviewed before proceedings are commenced.

Not necessarily. Whether a dispute can be arbitrated depends on the nature of the dispute, the agreement between the parties, and the applicable law.

Relevant materials may include the contract, arbitration clause, amendments, notices, correspondence, invoices, payment records, expert reports, and a short chronology of events.