We had the pleasure of hosting this roundtable during the Paris Arbitration Week, on 24 March, from 12:30 to 14:00 — a highlight of PAW 2026.
Civil law has long shaped the landscape of arbitration across the MENA region, but does it still hold sway today? This question lay at the heart of a rich, practice-oriented discussion bringing together prominent international arbitration practitioners with extensive experience in the region.
The session was moderated by Marie-Laure Bizeau and Caroline Duclercq, whose combined expertise as counsel and arbitrators in the MENA region set the tone for a dynamic and intellectually stimulating exchange.
We were honoured to welcome two outstanding speakers whose contributions greatly enriched the discussion:
- Bassam Mirza, who defended the continuing predominance of civil law in the region, notwithstanding increasing globalisation and the growing influence of common law in arbitration.
- Dania Fahs, PhD, who advocated for a more hybrid and pragmatic approach, highlighting the significant influence that common law has come to exert on MENA arbitration.
Both brought deep insight into cross-border practice and the evolving approaches to MENA-related disputes.
The session was conducted in both French and English, fostering an open and wide-ranging dialogue within the international arbitration community.
We extend our sincere thanks to all participants for their presence and the quality of their contributions, as well as to those who stayed on to enjoy the Lebanese buffet, which added a warm and convivial note to the occasion.
