Samaa Haridi, partner, King & Spalding
Zeyad Khoshaim, managing partner, K&A

Few doubt Saudi Arabia’s determination to position itself as the region’s next major disputes hub. But it is not alone – Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Bahrain, Cairo and Dubai share the same ambition. Where does the Kingdom stand today in relative terms, and is any other jurisdiction moving as quickly? Does Saudi Arabia bring unique strengths that its regional rivals simply can’t match?

Panellists are expected to discuss:

• Strengthened arbitration frameworks: What outcomes should be expected from the review of the Saudi Arbitration Law?
• Enhanced transparency: Will translated and published awards build lasting confidence in the region, and Saudi Arabia specifically?
• Distinct advantages: Does Saudi Arabia bring unique strengths that its regional rivals simply can’t match?
• User experience: What will ultimately drive users’ choice between competing regional hubs?

The aftershocks of war and sanctions cut both ways – affecting sanctioned and sanctioning parties alike. How are users navigating arbitration across geopolitical fault lines, from funding and payments to enforcement risk and tribunal composition?  

Panellists are expected to discuss: 

• Overview of current geopolitical conflicts and their ripple effects on international arbitration (e.g., Russia-Ukraine, Middle East, China-U.S. tensions)
• How shifting sanctions regimes (EU, UK, U.S., UN, and others) affect commercial and investment arbitration
• Institutional responses: how major arbitral institutions (ICC, LCIA, SCC,  SCCA, ICSID, etc.) are adapting to handle sanctioned entities
• Practical constraints on arbitrators – conflicts checks, payment issues, and potential exposure to liability
• Enforcement complications: recognition and execution of awards involving sanctioned entities or assets frozen under sanctions regimes
• The potential for reform: harmonization of rules, institution-led guidance, or sanctions-specific procedural frameworks

Crypto disputes are no longer the concern of the future. With decisions starting to land and tribunals seeing crypto on their dockets, the question is practical: where are we now - and what actually works in procedure, arbitrability, and enforcement?

Panellists are expected to discuss: 

• Consumer contracts as a shield: how non-arbitrability arguments are being deployed to resist arbitration and challenge enforcement
• From grey to grounded: are there now enough decisions to resolve core crypto questions – or do critical gaps remain?
• What is the role of expert analysis in crypto related disputes and how does it differ from traditional expert analysis?

In classic Oxford-Union style, two teams will argue for and against the motion, with rapid rebuttals and audience participation. Our judge will test the arguments, invite interventions from the floor, and deliver a reasoned decision naming the winning side.

Motion: “This House believes that artificial intelligence will make human arbitrators obsolete within the next generation.”

Samaa Haridi, partner, King & Spalding
Zeyad Khoshaim, managing partner, K&A