Can an Arbitral Tribunal Award Relief That a Party Never Expressly Requested — Without Exceeding Its Jurisdiction?
A recent Dubai Court of Appeal judgment underscores a critical procedural principle in arbitration: tribunals must not award relief that was never expressly requested by a party. Doing so may constitute an excess of jurisdiction under Article 53(1)(h) of the UAE Arbitration Law, potentially rendering the award void. This article explores the boundaries of arbitral authority and the importance of adhering strictly to the relief sought by the parties.