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Tools · UAE Arbitration

DIAC & arbitrateAD Cost Calculator

Institutional cost estimate for a Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC, 2022 Rules) or arbitrateAD (2024 Rules) arbitration. Registration fee, administrative fees and arbitrator fees scaled by amount in dispute, sole vs three-arbitrator panel, and expedited vs standard procedure.

How this works. The calculator uses the published DIAC 2022 fee schedule and arbitrateAD 2024 fee schedule, scaled by amount in dispute. DIAC fees are denominated in AED; arbitrateAD fees are denominated in USD. Arbitrator fees are an institution-published median between the minimum and maximum per the schedule (you can negotiate within the band). The figures are estimates only — verify against the current institution-published schedule before committing. Counsel fees, expert fees, hearing-room hire, transcription and tribunal-secretary fees are not included; these can equal or exceed the institutional fees on a substantial matter. Speak to us for a matter-specific budget.

What is and isn't included

  • Included: registration fee, administrative fee and arbitrator fee per the institution's published schedule.
  • Not included: counsel fees, expert fees (quantum, technical, legal), hearing-room hire, transcription, translation, tribunal-secretary fees, party-appointed-arbitrator fees in excess of the schedule (where the parties agree), challenge / disqualification fees, and emergency-arbitrator hearing-related disbursements.
  • Counsel-fee benchmarks: for a substantial DIAC matter (USD 5–20m in dispute) UAE-firm counsel fees typically run AED 1.5–6m+ across the lifecycle. International firms charge more; specialist boutiques can be more efficient. Brief our disputes team for a fixed-fee or fee-cap proposal.
  • Cost-shifting: both DIAC and arbitrateAD adopt a "loser pays" presumption, but with significant tribunal discretion. Costs orders typically follow the substantive outcome but are reduced where a party has been unreasonable in conduct, made unreasonable settlement offers, or pursued unmeritorious arguments.
  • Security for costs: the tribunal can order a respondent (or a claimant on a counter-claim) to put up security; this is a separate liquidity issue from the institutional fees.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the DIAC & arbitrateAD Cost Calculator used for?

The DIAC & arbitrateAD Cost Calculator is used to estimate the institutional costs for a Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) or arbitrateAD arbitration, including registration fees, administrative fees, and arbitrator fees. The calculator is based on the published DIAC 2022 fee schedule and arbitrateAD 2024 fee schedule. It provides an estimate of the costs scaled by the amount in dispute, tribunal composition, and procedure.

How do I use the DIAC & arbitrateAD Cost Calculator?

To use the calculator, select the arbitral institution (DIAC or arbitrateAD), currency of dispute (USD or AED), amount in dispute, tribunal composition (sole arbitrator or three-arbitrator panel), and procedure (standard or expedited). The calculator will then provide an estimate of the institutional costs. Note that the figures are estimates only and should be verified against the current institution-published schedule before committing.

What costs are included in the DIAC & arbitrateAD Cost Calculator?

The calculator includes the registration fee, administrative fee, and arbitrator fee per the institution's published schedule. However, it does not include counsel fees, expert fees, hearing-room hire, transcription, and tribunal-secretary fees, which can equal or exceed the institutional fees on a substantial matter. Counsel fees for a substantial DIAC matter can typically run AED 1.5-6m+ across the lifecycle.

How are costs shifted in a DIAC or arbitrateAD arbitration?

Both DIAC and arbitrateAD adopt a 'loser pays' presumption, but with significant tribunal discretion. Costs orders typically follow the substantive outcome but are reduced where a party has been unreasonable in conduct, made unreasonable settlement offers, or pursued unmeritorious arguments. The tribunal can also order a respondent to put up security for costs, which is a separate liquidity issue from the institutional fees.

Can the DIAC & arbitrateAD Cost Calculator provide a fixed-fee or fee-cap proposal for a UAE arbitration?

The calculator provides an estimate of the institutional costs, but for a fixed-fee or fee-cap proposal, it is recommended to brief the disputes team at Noura Almaazmi Advocates & Legal Consultancy. They can provide a matter-specific budget and counsel-fee benchmarks for a substantial UAE arbitration, including DIAC, arbitrateAD, ICC, LCIA, and ICSID arbitrations.