Fatima Abdulla Balfaqeeh
MCIarb, MCIPS, MRICS
Independent Arbitrator, Certified Mediator
Professional Summary:
- Vice Chair – ICC – UAE ADR Commission Elected May 2021
- Board Member – RICS MENA Advisory Panel (MAP) Elected February 2020
- Board Member – ICC – UAE elected on June 2019, re-elected January 2022
- Vice Chair – Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIarb) – Elected in March 2019 till May 2022
- RICS Certified Evaluative & Facilitative Mediator – Listed on RICS Global ADR Panel
- Certified Arbitration – Listed in Several International and Domestic ADR Centers
Arbitration Centers/ Initiatives memberships:
- Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) – Arbitrators and Mediators Panel
- Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) – Panel of Mediators
- Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) – Panel of Arbitrators and Mediators
- Dubai International Arbitration Center (DIAC)- Arbitrators Panel
- Sharjah International Commercial Arbitration Center (Tahkeem) – Arbitrators Panel
- RICS Global Panel – Mediators Panel
- The Pledge – MENA Subcommittee
- Greener Arbitration – MENA Subcommittee
- Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA)’s Arabic Saudi Moot – Member in the scientific committee in 2020, President of scientific committee 2021 and 2022
Arbitrations & Mediations:
| No. | Type of Dispute | Center | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Construction Dispute | ICC | Presiding Arbitrator | English |
| 02 | Construction Dispute | DIAC | Co Arbitrator | English |
| 03 | Real-estate Sales Dispute | TAHKEEM Sharjah | Sole Arbitrator | Arabic |
| 04 | Real-estate Sales Dispute | TAHKEEM Sharjah | Sole Arbitrator | Arabic |
| 05 | Construction Dispute | ADCACC | Presiding Arbitrator | English |
| 06 | Dispute of late payment against Mortgage | SCCA | Sole Arbitrator (Emergency Arbitration) | Arabic |
| 07 | Real Estate Sales Contract (SPA) dispute | DIFC-LCIA | Co-Arbitrator | English |
| 08 | Insurance Dispute | TAHKEEM Sharjah | Co-Arbitrator | Arabic |
| 09 | Supply contract and payment delay dispute | Ad-hoc Arbitration | Sole Arbitrator | English |
| 10 | Real-estate Sales Dispute | TAHKEEM Sharjah | Sole Arbitrator | Arabic |
| 11 | Construction Dispute | ICC | Co-Arbitrator | English |
| 12 | Construction Dispute | ICC | Co-Arbitrator | English |
| 13 | Infrastructure dispute, delay and payment | Ad-hoc Mediation | Claimant Counsel | Arabic |
| 14 | Infrastructure dispute, delay and payment | ADCCAC | Claimant Counsel | Arabic |
| 15 | Sub-contracting Infrastructure dispute and payment delay | DIAC | Sole Arbitrator | English |
| 16 | Facilities Management Dispute, wrongful termination and indemnification | DIAC | Sole Arbitrator | English |
| 17 | Construction Dispute | DIAC | Co-Arbitrator | English |
| 18 | Construction Dispute | DIFC/LCIA | Tribunal Secretary | English |
| 19 | Insurance Dispute | DIFC/LCIA | Tribunal Secretary | English |
| 20 | Energy Dispute | DIFC/LCIA | Tribunal Secretary | English |
Education:
- Bachelor of Law • Al Ain University. GPA 3.68 / 4.0 Honors
- Masters of Business Science In International Business• Zayed University. GPA 3.71/ 4.0 Honors
- Bachelor of Business Science In Finance• Zayed University. GPA 3.56/ 4.0
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
International Technical Certifications:
- Chartered Member – Institute of Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply Chain (CIPS)
- Chartered Facilities Management Surveyor – Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS
- Member in the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIarb)
Languages:
- Arabic: Mother Language - Advanced written and spoken
- English: Advanced, both written and spoken
Training Experience:
- Certified Trainer with Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply Chain (CIPS)
• Training several modules in both Arabic and English, and skills training programs - Co – Trainer with Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) • Training Several
cycles of RICS Certified Mediation course from 2020 to date - Certified Trainer with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIarb) • approved
trainer for Introduction to International Arbitration, and Module 1 in both Arabic and English.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
RKAH Legal Consultancy
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Founder & Managing Director
Dec 2018 – Current
Leading a company that specializes in providing Dispute Avoidance Consulting Services, Corporate Governance Consulting Services, in addition to Alternative Dispute Resolution Services such as Arbitration and Mediation.
Clients trust that RKAH safeguards their interests and turns their business ambitions into realities. We help clients overcome the complexity and problems arising from competition, disputes, regulation, globalization and market disruption.
Whatever opportunity or issue a business faces, we bring in the comprehensive experience of our respected lawyers in business transformation, financial services, mediation, litigation and corporate risk. Our top priority remains the use of legal excellence to help our clients find practical and workable solutions. Clients can expect from our approach efficient and pragmatic results that keep their business constantly moving forward and upward to the next level.
Our clients consist mainly of corporates, investors, commercial and government entities. They rely on us to provide them with clear and sound legal advice, wherever and
whenever it’s needed. We effectively collaborate with them by offering strategic value and long for lasting relationships.
As a UN Global Impact signatory, we guide our clients in alignment with the 10 principles of the UNGC that include robust governance, sustainability, ethics and human rights.
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC)
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Acting Procurement Director
Apr 2015 – Jun 2018
Projects which I worked on:
- Louvre Museum – Abu Dhabi;
- Mamsha Al Saadiyat – Abu Dhabi
- Infrastructure works for Al Saadiyat Island, including construction of roads, sewerage pipelines, cooling stations and ither infrastructure.
- Al Bateen Marina – Abu Dhabi
- Various construction, Asset management, Facilities Management, Marina Operation and Hotel Operation.
- Insurance policies and brokerage for various construction sites and assets.
Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Contracts Section Manager
Jan 2010 – Mar 2015
Projects which I worked on:
- Construction of Hay Feed warehouses across the emirate of Abu Dhabi
- Construction and refurbishment of Veterinary Clinic across the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
- Various operational needs, such as Facilities Management and Asset Management
ALDAR Properties
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Procurement Specialist
Jul 2007 – Dec 2009
Projects which I worked on:
- Formula One circuit in Abu Dhabi
- Infrastructure works for Yas Island and Al Falah Island
- Government Housing, Al Raha Beach Development and Al Bateen Area
