The total number of cases filed before CRCICA until 31 December 2019 reached 1385 cases. In the fourth quarter of 2019, 31 new cases were filed, compared to 29 new cases filed in the fourth quarter of 2018. Of the 31 cases filed in this quarter, 4 were ad hoc arbitrations administered by the Centre while the remaining 27 were institutional cases. The Centre’s caseload in the fourth quarter of 2018 involved disputes related to: Oil & Gas, Construction, Retail, Real Estate Development, Media & Entertainment, International Sale of Goods, Tourism & Hospitality, Investment, Food Manufacturing and IT.

Ten cases related to disputes in the Oil & Gas sector. Five cases involved supply agreements. The first case involved a contract for the supply of a drilling machine between an Egyptian buyer and a Chinese supplier (1370). The four other cases involved a contract for the supply of natural gas between Egyptian parties (1373-1375, 1377). Two cases involved lease agreements. Both cases involved an agreement for the rental of drilling equipment between two Egyptian parties (1383-1384). One case involved a distribution agreement for petroleum products between two Egyptian parties (1385). One case involved an agreement for the provision of bioremediation of drilling cutting services in the Western Desert between two Egyptian parties (1379). One case involved a partnership agreement between an Egyptian manufacturer and an Egyptian public company (1381).

Seven cases related to disputes in the Construction sector. Three cases involved contracts for works. The first case involved a contract for electro-mechanic and finishing works for building in Sheikh Zayed between two Egyptian parties (1367). The second case involved a contract for works in a residential compound in Helwan between two Egyptian parties (1362). The third case involved a contract for works as part of a car park renovation between an Egyptian contractor and an Emirati project owner (1378). Two cases involved construction agreements. The first case involved a contract the construction of a food and beverages complex in Sheikh Zayed between two Egyptian Parties (1357). The second case involved a contract for the construction of the first phase of a sporting club in 6 October between two Egyptian parties (1358). One case involved a subcontract agreement for the supply and installation of HVAC and other works in a project in Cairo between two Egyptian parties (1368). One case involved a contract for the construction of a surface car park and its subsequent management between two Egyptian parties (1356).

Five cases related to disputes in the Retail sector. One case involved a joint venture agreement between two Egyptian parties for the management of a café (1369). Four cases involved lease agreements for commercial spaces between Egyptian parties (1361, 1371-1372, 1380).

Two cases related to disputes in the Media & Entertainment sector. The first case involved an agreement to broadcast a television show between a Lebanese producer and an Egyptian company (1360). The second case involved an agreement for film distribution in Egypt and other Arab countries between two Egyptian parties (1376).

One case related to a dispute in the International Sale of Goods sector. It involved a settlement agreement resulting from an international sale of goods agreement between an English party and an Egyptian party (1359).

One case related to a dispute in the Real Estate Development sector. It involved a partnership agreement for the construction of a project between Egyptian parties (1363).

One case related to a dispute in the Tourism & Hospitality sector. It involved a hotel management agreement for a hotel in Cairo between two Egyptian parties, a private company and a public company (1382).

One case related to a dispute in the Food Manufacturing sector. It involved a debt rescheduling agreement between an Egyptian packaging manufacturer and multiple Egyptian food manufacturers (1366)

One case related to a dispute in the IT sector. It involved a provision of services agreement for the implementation of a new administrative system between two Egyptian parties (1355).

One case related to a dispute in the Investment/Finance sector. It involved an agreement for consultancy and technical support on investments between two Egyptian parties (1364).

One case related to a dispute in the Pharmaceutical sector. It involved a distribution agreement between an Egyptian manufacturer and an Egyptian distributor, with the case brought against both the distributor and its Kuwaiti parent company (1365).

Among the 39 arbitrators appointed in this quarter, there are 4 non-Egyptian arbitrators, representing about 10% of appointments. Non-Egyptian arbitrators hailed from Bahrain, the UAE and the USA. From among the said 39 arbitrators, only 3 were appointed by the CRCICA whilst the others were appointed by the parties or the co-arbitrators as the case may be.

As part of CRCICA’s endeavor vis-à-vis the Pledge for Equal Representation in arbitration, it hereby informs that the fourth quarter also witnessed the appointment of 2 female arbitrators as well as 2 arbitrators under 40.

Arbitration proceedings in the fourth quarter involved parties from China, Kuwait, Lebanon, the UAE and the UK. These statistics are conservative, since non-Egyptian parties mentioned herein do not include Egyptian companies owned or ultimately controlled by foreign shareholders.

Amongst the 31 cases filed in this quarter, ten cases were conducted in English (32%), while 21 cases were conducted in Arabic (68%).

HEARINGS

During the fourth quarter of 2019, 30 hearings took place at CRCICA’s premises. 28 of the hearings related to cases brought under CRCICA rules and 2 hearings related to ad hoc cases administered by CRCICA.

Of the 30 hearings that took place at CRCICA’s premises, 2 procedural hearings were conducted via conference call for those who could not attend in person.