Latest news with #TobyLandau
Saudi Gazette
28-02-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration reconstitutes Board of Directors for fourth term
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) announced the issuance of a royal decree approving the reconstitution of its Board of Directors for the fourth term, set to serve until February 2028. The newly appointed board includes a mix of Saudi and international experts specializing in alternative dispute resolution, arbitration, and legal affairs, bringing a diverse set of skills and perspectives to the organization. The board will be led by Chairman Walid Abanumay, with Toby Landau from the United Kingdom serving as vice chairman. Among the appointed members are Prof. Georges Affaki from France, Abby Cohen Smutny from the United States, and Dr. Mohamed Abdel Raouf from Egypt, alongside Saudi experts Dr. Saud Al-Ammari, Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Subaie, Dr. Abdullah Alajlan, and Musaab Al Muhaidib. Also joining the board is Jingzhou Tao, a French-Chinese expert in arbitration. The board of directors, as the highest governing authority, will be responsible for overseeing strategic planning, policy approvals, and procedural oversight while maintaining full independence from case management. Under the newly appointed board, SCCA has also restructured its advisory committee, now operating under the Global Advisory Committee. The committee comprises 16 international experts in arbitration and dispute resolution, including independent arbitrators, legal consultants with experience in leading international arbitration centers, and law professors from renowned institutions worldwide. Their role will include providing technical advice, monitoring global arbitration trends, refining procedural rules, and recommending enhancements to SCCA's services. Chairman Walid Abanumay expressed his appreciation for Saudi leadership's continued support of the SCCA and emphasized that this new board formation will further strengthen the center's role in advancing commercial arbitration and alternative dispute resolution in Saudi Arabia and beyond. He reaffirmed the SCCA's ambition to become the preferred arbitration center in the MENA region and one of the leading institutions globally by 2030. SCCA CEO Dr. Hamed Merah highlighted that the diverse expertise within the board and advisory committee will contribute significantly to the center's development. He stressed that the board operates independently, with its primary function being supervisory rather than managerial, ensuring the SCCA's neutrality and independence in arbitration proceedings. Meanwhile, the SCCA Court, responsible for handling technical arbitration matters, operates separately from the board, committees, and executive staff.
Arab News
27-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration announces new board and advisory committee to enhance global standards
RIYADH: The Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) announced on Thursday a royal order had been issued to reconstitute its Board of Directors for its fourth session, incorporating a diverse group of international and Saudi experts in arbitration, law, and business, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The newly appointed board will serve until February 2028, with the aim of enhancing the center's role as a leading arbitration institution in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, SPA added. The restructured board, which operates independently and without government affiliation, is responsible for overseeing the center's strategy, policies, and procedural rules while ensuring neutrality in arbitration case management. Walid bin Suleiman Abanmi has been appointed chairman, with British barrister Toby Landau as vice chairman. Other board members include Professor George Afaki (France), Abi Smutny Cohen (United States), Muhammad Abdul Raouf Muhammad (Egypt), Saud bin Abdullah Al-Ammari (Saudi Arabia), Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al-Subaie (Saudi Arabia), Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Ajlan (Saudi Arabia), Musab bin Suleiman bin Abdul Qader Al-Muhaidib (Saudi Arabia), and Jinju Tao (France/China). In addition to the board reconstitution, the center has expanded its Rules Advisory Committee, renaming it the International Advisory Committee. This newly formed body consists of 16 arbritation professionals, including independent international arbitrators, legal advisors with experience in leading arbitration institutions, corporate lawyers, and academic experts. The committee's primary role is to provide technical guidance, monitor global trends, and support the continuous development of the center's procedural framework. Abanmi thanked the Saudi leadership for their ongoing support, stating: 'This formation supports and enables the center in achieving its ambitious new vision, to be the preferred choice for alternative dispute resolution in the MENA region and one of the leading arbitration centers in the world by 2030.' He emphasized the center's commitment to operational independence, ensuring impartiality in arbitration proceedings. SCCA CEO, Hamed bin Hassan Mira, highlighted the strategic importance of the board's new composition. 'The inclusion of high-level international competencies will significantly contribute to the center's growth on both local and global fronts. The International Advisory Committee will not only ensure alignment with best global practices but also serve as a driving force in refining procedural rules and enhancing service offerings,' he said.
