RIYADH: The Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration announced on Thursday that 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 region, the 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 Prof. George Afaki (France), Abi Smutny Cohen (US), 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’s reconstitution, the center has expanded its Rules Advisory Committee, renaming it the International Advisory Committee.
This newly formed body consists of 16 arbitration professionals, including independent international arbitrators, legal advisers 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, saying: “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.
Hamed bin Hassan Mira, SCCA’s CEO, highlighted the strategic importance of the board’s new composition.
He said: “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.”
