The appointment recognises her expertise in international arbitration
Fatima Balfaqeeh (FCIArb C.Arb, MRICS, FCIPS), Founder and Managing Partner of Balfaqeeh Advocates & Legal Consultants, has been officially designated by the Government of the United Arab Emirates to serve on the Panel of Arbitrators of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), a leading global institution operating under the World Bank framework.
The appointment has been made for a six-year term extending through February 20, 2032. It reinforces Balfaqeeh’s recognised expertise in international arbitration, positioning her among a select group of arbitrators entrusted with adjudicating complex investor-state disputes under ICSID.
“I have consistently focused on governance, public procurement, and ESG frameworks. As such, this is a natural progression and a meaningful recognition of that work,” said Balfaqeeh on her appointment.
Dispute resolution
“To be entrusted with a role connected to ICSID in this context is both an honour and a responsibility. Furthermore, it reflects the UAE’s growing contribution to the development of international dispute resolution and its increasing integration within the global legal framework,” she added.
The continued growth of the DIFC and ADGM as arbitration hubs, alongside institutional development and increasing caseloads, reinforces the UAE’s role as a key regional and global centre for dispute resolution.
Balfaqeeh founded her advocacy and legal services firm in 2018, providing a full spectrum of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), legal, and governance support to clients operating within the region, as well as international companies entering GCC jurisdictions. She is one of the few independent female arbitrators and mediators in the UAE.
