BCDR-AAA - Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution.

Introduction

The BCDR-AAA sets a new standard for the provision of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services. Established in partnership with the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the world's largest provider of conflict management and dispute resolution services, the Chamber provides international, regional and domestic commercial and governmental users contracting in the Gulf and beyond, with a purpose-built solution for the rapid, effective and certain resolution of commercial disputes.

As an independent institution, the BCDR-AAA is guided by an international Board of Trustees with a Senior Management Team of experts who administer the arbitration and mediation of commercial cases - with particular emphasis on disputes in the construction, financial services, insurance and energy sectors.

The BCDR-AAA's unique ADR legislation is made up of two sections:

• Section One: Statutory ADR Tribunals

For any claim exceeding BD500,000 (approximately US$1.3 million) which would have come within the jurisdiction of the courts of Bahrain, and involves either an international commercial dispute or a party licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).

• Section Two: Mediation and Arbitration

BCDR-AAA provides international best practices in ADR services such as mediation and arbitration in its unique "Free Arbitration Zone" which offers jurisdictional and legal certainty to the recognition of arbitration awards, along with time and cost effective resolutions to disputes.

In short, the BCDR-AAA is focused on enhancing the work of international commercial business through the provision of its ADR services.