The International Bar Association (IBA) Young Lawyers’ Committee Presents Arbitral Institutions in Middle East & North Africa (MENA): Fortresses with Glass Ceilings? Legitimacy, Modernization and Capacity Building

As institutional arbitration increasingly becomes the preferred global standard, the credibility, transparency and adaptability of arbitral institutions are under sharper scrutiny than ever before. This multi‑part webinar series explores whether leading institutions truly serve as inclusive, progressive ‘fortresses’ of dispute resolution, or whether hidden ‘glass ceilings’ hinder access, diversity and user‑experience.

Each session will spotlight institutions across major regions of the world, drawing on best practices, structural challenges, administrative innovations and evolving procedural norms. The series aims to equip young practitioners with a comparative understanding of institutional strengths and limitations, fostering dialogue on how arbitral institutions can become more responsive, representative and resilient in a rapidly evolving dispute resolution ecosystem.