Shura to vote on hosting international arbitration court

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Shura Council will vote at its next meeting on a draft law to approve an agreement that would allow Bahrain to host the Permanent Court of Arbitration, an international body that settles disputes between states, companies and organisations. The Council’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security has recommended approval of the draft law. If approved, the agreement would see Bahrain provide office space, meeting rooms and administrative support for the court, helping it conduct arbitration hearings in the Kingdom.

The agreement also sets out legal protections needed for the court to work independently. These apply to arbitrators, court staff and people involved in cases, such as lawyers, witnesses and experts. Bahraini nationals involved would receive limited protections, strictly linked to their official duties.

Officials stressed that these protections are intended to support justice, not personal benefit, and can be lifted if they are misused or interfere with legal proceedings.

The agreement also makes it easier for non-Bahrainis involved in cases to enter and stay in Bahrain, including visa facilitation and freedom of movement, subject to security rules.

It further clarifies that Bahrain would not be held responsible for decisions or actions taken by the court while carrying out its work. Any dispute between Bahrain and the court would be settled through consultations or arbitration.

In its report, the committee noted that similar host country agreements already exist between the court and several countries, including Argentina, Chile, China (for Hong Kong), Costa Rica, Djibouti, India, Ireland, Malaysia, Mauritius, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Uruguay and Vietnam, as well as an office in Austria.

It said the agreement would make Bahrain the first country in the Middle East to sign a host country agreement with the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The committee recommended that the draft law be approved as presented.