UAE accedes to UN Convention on international mediated settlement agreements

The UAE has acceded to the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation under Federal Decree Law No. 85 of 2026. The Convention will enter into force in the UAE six months after the instrument of accession is deposited with the United Nations. It establishes a framework for enforcing mediated settlement agreements of international commercial disputes without relitigating the underlying dispute. For the Convention to apply, the settlement agreement must be in writing, signed by parties, resolve a commercial dispute, evidence mediation, and be international in nature. The UAE has made two reservations: the Convention does not apply to settlement agreements involving UAE governmental agencies, and it only applies where parties expressly agree. The Convention excludes settlement agreements arising from consumer transactions, family, inheritance, or employment law disputes, and those already approved by courts or recorded as arbitral awards. Once in force, parties may seek expedited enforcement of mediated settlements in member States subject to limited grounds for refusal, including party incapacity, invalidity of the agreement, performed obligations, breaches by the mediator, public policy, or subject matter incapable of settlement.