BAHRAIN Law and Practice Contributed by: Noor Al Rayes, Fatema Sarhan, Bradley Price and Raghad Al Matrook, Al Tamimi & Company
• the award exceeding the arbitration agreement’s scope; • the tribunal composition or procedure not having been in accordance with the parties’ agreement or applicable law; • the award having been set aside in the country where it was made; • enforcement contravening Bahraini public policy; and • fraud or illegality in obtaining the judgment or award. AI in dispute resolution is not currently subject to spe- cific regulation in Bahrain. No laws expressly address AI tools in litigation, arbitration, or mediation. Howev- er, parties and practitioners using AI tools must ensure compliance with general legal standards, including: • confidentiality and data protection requirements; • integrity of the adjudication process; and • professional and ethical obligations. As technology use in legal practice increases glob- ally, regulatory frameworks may evolve to address AI implications. Parties should exercise caution to ensure AI tools do not compromise the fairness or accuracy of proceedings. 10.2 Impact AI is having a gradual impact on dispute resolution in Bahrain, primarily in legal practice rather than in the courts themselves. 10. Dispute Resolution and AI 10.1 Regulation
Key developments include: • AI tools helping lawyers manage, review and ana- lyse large document volumes efficiently; and • AI enabling faster identification of relevant laws, precedents, and legal authorities. Overall, AI is enhancing efficiency and cost-effective- ness in dispute preparation and management. How- ever, use remains limited and developing. AI is not currently used for judicial decision-making in Bahrain. 10.3 Future Bahraini courts are acknowledging technology’s potential to improve dispute resolution efficiency. Key developments include: • in relation to remote hearings, Ministerial Decision No 114 of 2025, which regulates remote litigation for civil, commercial and criminal matters; • in relation to electronic case management, courts having implemented electronic filing, tracking and document management systems; and • in relation to electronic enforcement, since 2022, electronic linkages between courts and govern- ment agencies have improved enforcement effi- ciency. Looking Ahead Technology use in dispute resolution will likely expand, potentially including greater AI use for case manage- ment and document processing. However, AI for judi- cial decision-making is not currently contemplated under Bahraini law. As AI advances, practitioners will need to adapt, and regulators may consider oversight measures to ensure fairness and accountability.
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