Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA)

The Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA or the Centre) is an independent non-profit international organisation established in 1979 under the auspices of the Asian African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO) , in performance of AALCO’s decision, made at the Doha Session in 1978, to establish regional centres for international commercial arbitration in Africa and Asia, seeking to promote international commercial arbitration in the Afro-Asian area.

In 1979, an international agreement was signed between the Egyptian government and AALCO. Many Agreements were concluded between AALCO and the Egyptian government, culminating in the Headquarters Agreement in 1987, approved by Egyptian Presidential Decree No. 399/1987 . CRCICA’s status as an international organisation was recognised and the Centre and its branches were endowed with all necessary privileges and immunities of an international organisation fully independent of its host state, ensuring their independent functioning.

CRCICA provides a system of dispute settlement for parties engaged in trade, commerce and investment. It provides case management services and administers international, regional and domestic arbitrations and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms according to the CRCICA Rules, which include arbitration, mediation and dispute board rules.

CRCICA also provides administrative and technical assistance to parties involved in ad hoc arbitrations as well as high-tech hearings rooms to parties involved in other institutional proceedings under various rules such as International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rules. Such assistance is against or without a fee depending on the arrangement with the relevant institution.

CRCICA registered its first arbitration case in the year 1984, and has registered over 1756 arbitration cases to date relating to disputes arising of almost all types of commercial and economic activities, in addition to a number of other ADR proceedings, cementing its status as a major arbitration centre in the MENA region and in Africa.

CRCICA has operated continuously in Egypt as an international arbitration centre, enjoying full financial autonomy, with a firmly stable financial position. Today, CRCICA stands as Egypt’s premier arbitral institution, a leading arbitral institution in the Middle East and in Africa, and ranks globally among prominent arbitral institutions – as a marked contender for the first choice of institution in Africa and the Middle East.

• CRCICA provides a comprehensive suite of dispute resolution services, seamlessly encompassing arbitration, mediation, dispute board proceedings, administrative assistance in ad hoc proceedings, hearing centre services, amongst many more activities tailored to meet the evolving needs of international, regional, and domestic stakeholders.
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• For arbitrations, CRCICA administers both domestic and international cases, offering institutional support under its own rules or ad hoc arrangements.  CRCICA’s new Expedited Rules—a groundbreaking initiative designed to streamline arbitration by combining speed, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. With these rules, cases are typically resolved within three to six months, offering parties a clear, predictable process with transparent fee agreements and reduced costs.
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• Arbitration services include deciding on procedural matters, appointing and challenging arbitrators, determining costs, scrutinizing awards, and ensuring timely rendering.  CRCICA also responds to rule-related queries, promotes arbitration through research and events, builds arbitrator capacity, collaborates with other institutions, and maintains a specialized library.
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• CRCICA’s mediation and ADR services mirror its arbitration offerings, including administration, institutional support, ad hoc assistance, advice to disputants, promotion of ADR, capacity building, expert determination, and collaboration with other institutions.  A dedicated ADR library complements these services.
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• Regarding Dispute Boards, CRCICA appoints members and handles challenges according to its rules.  It also offers optional services, including providing DB Member Agreements, maintaining communication files, arranging meetings and hearings (including logistical support like venue arrangement, interpretation, and accommodation), managing funds, tracking deadlines, providing secretarial assistance, and performing other delegated tasks.
  CRCICA Dispute Board (DB) Rules
• Beyond these core services, CRCICA provides extensive administrative support for ad hoc arbitrations.  This includes technical and administrative assistance, case file management, communication facilitation, and archiving.  CRCICA arranges meetings and hearings, whether in person or virtually, offering secure document exchange platforms and coordinating logistics.  Additional services include travel arrangements, visa assistance, and coordination with court reporters and interpreters.  CRCICA also manages arbitration deposits and disburses fees.  Finally, when designated as an appointing authority, CRCICA appoints arbitrators, handles challenges, and assists in fee determination.  These combined services create a comprehensive and efficient environment for dispute resolution, reinforcing CRCICA’s position as a leading institution.

CRCICA relies on a robust organisational framework and governance, with an international Board of Trustees at the head of the structure; an Advisory Committee; as well as its Director and a distinguished CRCICA team which runs its day to day activities.

CRCICA’s Board of Trustees (BoT) consisting of 10 to 30 members appointed in consultation with AALCO, oversees CRCICA’s general policy and objectives.  Members are eminent figures from the Afro-Asian region, specializing in international arbitration, law, business, and related fields, with up to 20% allowed from outside the region.  The BoT’s responsibilities include appointing the Director, setting policy, and ratifying the auditor’s report.  Their term is four years, renewable once.

CRCICA’s Advisory Committee, appointed by the Director, comprises a Chairperson, two Vice-Chairpersons, and 14 members.  Drawn from the BoT and other specialists, the Committee advises on critical decisions, including declining arbitral proceedings or arbitrator appointments, consolidation requests, and challenges or removals of arbitrators.  They also provide guidance on fee determinations and other procedural matters as defined in CRCICA’s Arbitration Rules.  Their term mirrors that of the BoT.

Dr. Ismail Selim leads CRCICA as its Director.  He also serves as President of IFCAI and Vice-President of the AfAA.  Dr. Selim’s distinguished career spans the judiciary, arbitration, academia, and international dispute resolution.  He has served as a judge, transitioned into private practice with prominent law firms, and has extensive experience as an arbitrator under various institutional rules.  His expertise covers diverse industries and legal frameworks.  Dr. Selim is a respected academic, teaching at the Sorbonne Law School in Cairo and contributing numerous publications to legal journals.  He is a CIArb approved tutor and a certified mediator.  His academic credentials include an LL.B., LL.M., MPA, a certificate in international commercial arbitration, and a PhD with highest honors.  He is multilingual, further solidifying his international standing.

According to the Asian African Legal Consultative Organization’s (AALCO) exchange of letters, CRCICA since its establishment adopted the United Nations Commission for Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Arbitration Rules with some amendments to adapt them to institutional arbitration. At the same time, CRCICA administers ad hoc proceedings under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules or other ad hoc Rules including various national arbitration legislations.

The CRCICA Arbitration Rules 2024, available in English, Arabic and French, reflect the best practices in the field of international arbitration. The arbitration rules were amended in 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2007 and 2011.

The CRCICA Arbitration Rules 2024 aims to:
The CRCICA Arbitration Rules 2024, effective 15 January 2024, build on the Centre’s decades of experience while incorporating greater efficiency, flexibility, and transparency to meet the evolving needs of arbitration users. Based on the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, the new Rules preserve party autonomy while strengthening institutional procedures. Key innovations include consolidation of arbitrations, early dismissal of claims, emergency arbitrator provisions, expedited arbitration, multiple contracts, and third-party funding.

The Rules also encourage the use of technology in arbitration, facilitating electronic communication, online filings, and virtual hearings. Administrative fees and tribunal fees have been adjusted to reflect economic developments, maintaining a balance between cost-effectiveness and high-quality services. Other enhancements include greater clarity in the decision not to proceed with arbitration, flexibility in appointing arbitrators, considerations of diversity in arbitrator selection, scrutiny of awards to ensure enforceability, and a defined time limit for rendering final awards. A significant addition is Article 36(4), which stipulates that the law of the place of arbitration applies to the arbitration agreement unless otherwise agreed by the parties. These updates align CRCICA’s framework with global best practices, reinforcing its role as a leading arbitration institution in the Afro-Asian region.

The CRCICA Mediation Rules of 2013 (CRCICA Mediation Rules) reflect modern international standards. CRCICA has issued its first mediation rules in 1990 and subsequently revised it in 2001 and 2013 to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of their users, reflecting best practice in the field of international institutional mediation. The CRCICA Mediation Rules are available in Arabic and English. Also, CRCICA administers ad hoc proceedings under UNCITRAL Rules or other ad hoc Rules that the parties may designate in agreement with the mediator.

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The CRCICA Dispute Board Rules (CRCICA DB Rules), effective 1 August 2021, provide a structured mechanism for resolving disputes in business and construction contracts through Dispute Review Boards (DRBs) and Dispute Adjudication Boards (DABs). Developed with expert guidance, the Rules outline procedures for appointment, obligations, and compensation of DB members and allow parties to escalate disputes to arbitration or litigation if needed. CRCICA also offers optional administrative services to facilitate proceedings. To support adoption, model clauses and a Dispute Board Member Agreement are provided for contract inclusion.

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With over four decades of experience and recognized leadership in the Afro-Asian region, the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA) is proud to serve as a core institutional partner in the African-German Arbitration Cooperation (AfGAC) project. This strategic collaboration aligns closely with CRCICA’s longstanding mandate to promote independent, neutral, and cost-effective dispute resolution across Africa. Through AfGAC, CRCICA contributes to building a more connected and resilient arbitration ecosystem by fostering institutional collaboration, inclusivity, and diversity, while enhancing the visibility of African arbitral centres. By engaging legal professionals, institutions, and policymakers, CRCICA actively supports capacity-building, knowledge transfer, and cross-border cooperation—reinforcing the role of arbitration as a key driver of legal development, trade, and investment throughout the continent.