Source Credit: Arab News
RIYADH: The Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) has announced the issuance of a royal decree to reconstitute its Board of Directors for its fourth term, integrating international and Saudi experts in arbitration, law, and business. The diverse board comprising members of various nationalities, genders, and cultural backgrounds is expected to enhance SCCA’s operations and service quality for businesses.
The board, serving until February 2028, acts as SCCA’s highest governing authority, overseeing strategy, policies, and procedural rules while maintaining independence from case management. The newly appointed members include: Chairman: Walid Abanumay, Vice Chairman: Toby Landau (UK), Board Members: Prof. Georges Affaki (France), Abby Cohen Smutny (US), Dr. Mohamed Abdel Raouf (Egypt), Dr. Saud Al-Ammari (Saudi Arabia), Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Subaie (Saudi Arabia), Dr. Abdullah Alajlan (Saudi Arabia), Musaab Al Muhaidib (Saudi Arabia), Jingzhou Tao (France/China)
Under this leadership, SCCA aims to enhance its global standing, aligning its arbitration services with international best practices.
Additionally, SCCA has restructured its Rules Advisory Committee, renaming it the Global Advisory Committee to expand its international expertise. Now consisting of 16 arbitration specialists including independent arbitrators, legal consultants, corporate lawyers, and law professors the committee will provide technical guidance, refine procedural rules, and monitor global arbitration trends.
SCCA CEO Dr. Hamed bin Hassah Merah highlighted that the board’s diverse expertise will drive SCCA’s growth locally and internationally. He noted that the Global Advisory Committee will play a pivotal role in refining arbitration procedures, aligning services with evolving industry standards, and ensuring that SCCA remains a leader in global arbitration.
Chairman Abanumay expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership, stating that the board’s new formation strengthens SCCA’s vision of becoming the leading alternative dispute resolution center in the MENA region and a global arbitration leader by 2030. He emphasized SCCA’s independence, ensuring impartiality in case management and procedural oversight.
