The total number of cases filed before CRCICA until 30 September 2021 reached 1517 cases. In the third quarter of 2021, 9 new cases were filed compared to 16 new cases filed in the third quarter of 2020. Of the 9 cases filed this quarter, 2 were for ad hoc proceedings and around 30% were multiparty proceedings.

The Centre’s caseload in the third quarter of 2021 involved disputes relating to various sectors, including Construction, Banking & Finance, Oil & Gas, Corporate Restructuring, Pharmaceutical and Retail.

Two cases related to the construction sector. The first case involved a design and consultancy agreement for project located in 6^th of October, Egypt between two Egyptian companies. The second case involved a contract for the completion of geotechnical works at a project located in Upper Egypt between two Egyptian companies.

Two cases related to the banking & finance sector. The first case involved a financial consultancy agreement between an Egyptian company and an Egyptian party. The second case involved an agreement for the management of an investment fund for the development of SMEs between two Egyptian companies.

Two cases related to the oil & gas industry and involved contracts for the provision of services. The first case involved an agreement for hydraulic fracturing services whose parties were Egyptian and British. The second case involved an agreement for drilling services whose parties were Cypriot, Egyptian, British and Emirati.

One case involved a corporate restructuring agreement. The case related to an escrow agreement and a subsequent settlement agreement between Egyptian parties.

Arbitration proceedings in the third quarter involved parties from Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

The third quarter of 2021 witnessed the appointment of 26 arbitrators from Egypt, France, Germany, Italy and Lebanon.

Of the 26 arbitrators appointed this quarter, 2 were female arbitrators, representing 7.6% of appointments, and 1 was under 40.

The Centre acted as appointing authority for some cases, appointing 5 of the 26 arbitrators appointed this quarter, representing 19% of appointments, including one arbitrator under 40, two female arbitrators and three non-Egyptian arbitrators.

Amongst the 9 cases filed in this quarter, 5 cases, representing 56% of cases, were conducted in English while 4 cases, representing 44% of cases, were conducted in Arabic.

HEARINGS:

During the third quarter of 2021, CRCICA hosted 39 hearings. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Centre’s promotion of remote hearing solutions has led to a diversification of the type of hearing held at CRCICA. This quarter, the Centre hosted 13 hearings with wholly physical attendance, 18 fully-remote hearings and 8 hybrid hearings.

Of the 39 hearings held this quarter, 5 related to ad hoc arbitral proceedings, 1 related to a mediation, 1 related to ICC proceedings and the remaining 32 hearings related CRCICA arbitral proceedings.