This paper studies the
challenges that are faced in enforcing foreign arbitral awards in the United
Arab Emirates (UAE), and develops solutions. UAE is committed to aligning its
arbitration system with international arbitration standards such as the New
York Convention, but also faces challenges due to the complexities of Sharia
principles and local legal frameworks. This study underscores such critical
legal, judicial and procedural challenges and cultural barriers as the
prohibition of interest (Riba) and Sharia principles. The paper employed a
qualitative methodology, conducting in-depth interviews with ten experts in
international arbitration. The findings revealed that legislative reforms, such
as Federal Law No. 6 of 2018, support and enhance arbitration procedures and
enforcement, but practical bottlenecks due to court backlogs and complicated
documentation may hinder the process. The paper also highlights the importance
of Sharia-compliant agreements and the engagement of local legal expertise to
facilitate the arbitral awards, as well as the use of digital tools to further
streamline enforcement. The paper recommends future comparative research into
arbitration practices in similar jurisdictions as a way to identify best
practices. The findings from this research provide actionable insights for
lawyers, arbitrators, businesses, and policymakers, and offer practical
strategies to empower the UAE’s arbitration environment.