The Oman Commercial Arbitration Centre (OCAC) has announced the signing of five strategic partnerships alongside the launch of a law student competition, underscoring its commitment to advancing alternative dispute resolution in Oman. The initiatives were unveiled on September 28 in Muscat as part of efforts to bolster the Sultanate’s arbitration and mediation framework.
OCAC, affiliated with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, formalized memoranda of understanding with the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, Visit Oman, the Oman Society of Engineers, Decree, and the international education partner Resolve. These agreements aim to expand collaborative networks and enhance institutional cooperation in arbitration, mediation, and related dispute resolution methods.
Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser al Mandhari, Chief Executive Officer of OCAC, emphasized that these moves are part of a broader strategy to position Oman as a hub for arbitration expertise and dialogue. In conjunction with the partnership announcements, he detailed plans for the Muscat Arbitration and Mediation Days conference, set to take place from December 7 to 9. The event is expected to draw international specialists to discuss recent developments and best practices in the field, featuring a broader program and allowing public and private sector entities to host specialised panel discussions alongside the main sessions. Comprehensive information about the conference will be accessible via its official website, mamd.om.
In parallel, OCAC inaugurated the Muscat Arbitration Competition 2026, targeting law students to foster practical skills in arbitration and advocacy. The competition is designed to bridge academic learning with real-world dispute resolution by enabling participants to argue hypothetical cases before panels comprising arbitrators, judges, and industry experts.
Abdulrahman al Farsi, representing Decree, the event’s organising partner, explained that the competition will run separate tracks in Arabic and English, each accommodating up to eight teams. Teams of three to five students, supervised by faculty coaches, will prepare written memoranda and participate in oral hearings, progressing through multiple rounds culminating in a final round and awards ceremony during the December conference. Participants are required to adhere to strict guidelines on academic integrity and proper use of artificial intelligence to maintain professional standards.
The agreement with the Oman Society of Engineers highlights the sector-specific focus of some partnerships. Eng. Fuad bin Abdullah al Kindi, chairman of the society, noted that arbitration plays an important role in resolving disputes involving substantial financial stakes in engineering projects. The collaboration aims not only to provide training but also to enhance arbitrators’ technical understanding by leveraging engineering expertise, thus improving the handling of engineering-related disputes.
Together, these initiatives are intended to promote arbitration and mediation as efficient alternatives to litigation, supporting Oman’s commercial and economic environment by enhancing the resolution of disputes across a range of sectors.