What this guide covers
arbitrateAD uses an ad valorem fee schedule — fees scale with the amount in dispute. For most UAE commercial disputes, arbitrateAD costs are competitive with DIAC and significantly lower than ICC. Understanding the fee schedule helps parties budget accurately and negotiate cost provisions in their arbitration agreement.
Registration and filing fees
The Claimant pays a non-refundable registration fee when filing the Request for Arbitration. Under the arbitrateAD 2024 Schedule of Fees, the registration fee is AED 5,000 for claims up to AED 1M, AED 10,000 for claims AED 1M–AED 10M, and AED 15,000 for claims above AED 10M. The registration fee is separate from the administrative fee deposit required after appointment of the tribunal.
The Respondent does not pay a registration fee unless it files a counterclaim, in which case the same schedule applies to the counterclaim amount. If both claim and counterclaim are filed, fees are calculated on each amount separately.
Administrative fees
The administrative fee covers arbitrateAD case management, secretariat services, venue provision, and institutional oversight. The administrative fee is calculated on a sliding scale based on the amount in dispute: approximately 0.6%–0.9% of the sum in dispute for smaller claims, reducing to approximately 0.1%–0.2% for larger claims above AED 50M. The fee is shared equally between the parties unless the tribunal orders otherwise in the final award.
For a AED 5M dispute, estimated administrative fee: approximately AED 45,000–55,000. For AED 20M: approximately AED 120,000–150,000. For AED 100M: approximately AED 350,000–450,000. These are approximate figures — the exact fee is set by the Centre applying the current schedule at the time of registration.
Arbitrator fees
Arbitrator fees under arbitrateAD 2024 Rules are set by the Centre based on the amount in dispute, the complexity of the case, and the work actually done. The Centre sets a maximum fee per arbitrator at the commencement of the proceedings. For a sole arbitrator, the fee is approximately 1.5%–2.5% of the sum in dispute for smaller claims, reducing proportionally for larger amounts. For a three-member tribunal, each co-arbitrator receives approximately 60%–70% of the sole arbitrator maximum fee.
Worked examples (all figures approximate):
AED 5M dispute, sole arbitrator: total arbitrator fee AED 80,000–120,000
AED 20M dispute, 3-member tribunal: total arbitrator fees AED 500,000–700,000
AED 100M dispute, 3-member tribunal: total arbitrator fees AED 1.2M–2M
Parties may also agree on hourly-rate arbitrators in lieu of the ad valorem schedule — arbitrateAD will approve such arrangements where agreed. Senior practitioners in the UAE charge AED 5,000–15,000 per hour; international counsel in complex matters may charge significantly more.
Comparing arbitrateAD costs to DIAC and ICC
For a AED 20M (approximately USD 5.4M) dispute with a 3-member tribunal:
arbitrateAD: administrative fee ~AED 150,000 + arbitrator fees ~AED 600,000 = total institutional costs ~AED 750,000
DIAC: administrative fee ~AED 120,000 + arbitrator fees ~AED 500,000 = total institutional costs ~AED 620,000
ICC: administrative charge ~USD 75,000 + arbitrator fees ~USD 250,000 = total ICC costs ~USD 325,000 (AED ~1.2M)
arbitrateAD and DIAC are broadly comparable in total institutional cost for UAE commercial disputes. ICC is significantly more expensive. Parties who want Abu Dhabi venue, ADGM seat options, or Abu Dhabi government familiarity should find arbitrateAD costs competitive.
Practical checklist
- Obtain the current fee schedule directly from arbitrateAD (fees updated periodically)
- Budget for both institutional costs AND legal fees — institutional costs are typically 10–20% of total arbitration costs; legal fees dominate
- For AED 3M or under: request expedited procedure (lower fees, faster timeline)
- Advance deposit: both parties required to deposit estimated total costs in equal shares at commencement — ensure client has liquidity for advance payment
- Cost allocation: arbitrateAD tribunals award costs to the winning party unless there are good reasons not to — include a cost claim in the Statement of Claim
- Compare costs at the clause drafting stage: for straightforward commercial disputes under AED 10M, DIAC and arbitrateAD costs are similar; for complex Abu Dhabi matters, arbitrateAD may be preferred for local expertise
What we'd typically advise
In our experience, the advance deposit requirement is often a practical shock for clients who have not budgeted for arbitration. The advance deposit (covering estimated tribunal fees and administration) must be paid within 30 days of the Centre's demand or the proceedings may be suspended. Always advise clients at the contract drafting stage to budget for this — for a AED 20M dispute, the advance deposit can be AED 750,000 or more, required from each side simultaneously.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays the arbitrateAD registration fee?
The Claimant pays the non-refundable registration fee when filing the Request for Arbitration. The Respondent pays a registration fee only if it files a counterclaim. Registration fees are generally not recoverable in the final award.
Can arbitrateAD fees be paid by letter of credit?
arbitrateAD accepts payment by wire transfer. Letters of credit are not the standard method but parties can discuss payment arrangements with the Centre. The key requirement is that funds are available within the required deadline — typically 30 days from the advance deposit demand.
What happens if one party does not pay the advance deposit?
Under arbitrateAD 2024 Rules Art 37, if one party fails to pay its share of the advance deposit, the other party may pay the defaulting party's share and seek reimbursement in the arbitration as a cost. Alternatively, the Centre may suspend or terminate the proceedings for non-payment.
Are arbitrateAD arbitrator fees capped?
Yes, the Centre sets a maximum arbitrator fee at the commencement of proceedings based on the amount in dispute and complexity. Arbitrators cannot charge more than the Centre-approved maximum. This provides cost predictability compared to purely hourly-rate models.
Is the seat Abu Dhabi or ADGM?
The default seat under arbitrateAD 2024 Rules is Abu Dhabi (onshore UAE, governed by FDL 6/2018). Parties may opt for an ADGM seat (governed by ADGM Arbitration Regulations 2015, applying UNCITRAL Model Law 2006). ADGM seat costs are the same — the difference is the supervisory jurisdiction.
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Published 20 May 2026. General information only — not legal advice. Contact us for matter-specific advice.