Case Details

Spentech Engineering Limited v. United Arab Emirates (ICSID Case No. ARB/24/16)

Subject of Dispute:

Construction project
Economic Sector:

Construction
Instrument(s) Invoked:

BIT Kenya - United Arab Emirates 2014
Applicable Rules:

ICSID Convention - Arbitration Rules

(a) Original Proceeding

Claimant(s)/Nationality(ies):

Spentech Engineering Limited (Kenyan)
Respondent(s):

United Arab Emirates (Emiri)
Date Registered:

May 24, 2024
Date of Constitution of Tribunal:

September 16, 2024

Composition of Tribunal

President:

Loretta MALINTOPPI (Italian) - Appointed by the Parties
Arbitrators:

Christopher Adebayo OJO (Nigerian) - Appointed by the Claimant(s)
Christopher GREENWOOD (British) - Appointed by the Respondent(s)

Party Representatives

Claimant(s):

Jural Consulting Limited, Nairobi, Kenya
Mohammed Muigai, Nairobi, Kenya
Respondent(s):

Office of International Affairs, Presidential Court, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Language(s) of Proceeding:

English
Status of Proceeding:

Concluded
Outcome of Proceeding:

July 28, 2025 - The Tribunal renders its award.

(b) Annulment Proceeding

Applicant(s)/Requesting Party(ies):

Claimant(s)
Date Registered:

December 8, 2025
Date of Constitution of ad hoc Committee:

January 26, 2026

Composition of ad hoc Committee (Appointed by the Chairman of the Administrative Council)

President:

Andrea K. BJORKLUND (Canadian, U.S.)
Members:

Nicolas ANGELET (Belgian)
Makane Moïse MBENGUE (Senegalese)

Party Representatives

Claimant(s):

Jural Consulting Limited, Nairobi, Kenya
Mohammed Muigai, Nairobi, Kenya
Respondent(s):

Office of International Affairs, Presidential Court, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Status of Proceeding:

Pending
Latest Development:

January 26, 2026 - The ad hoc Committee is constituted in accordance with Article 52(3) of the ICSID Convention. Its members are: Andrea K. Bjorklund (U.S./Canadian), President; Nicolas Angelet (Belgian); and Makane Moïse Mbengue (Senegalese); all members appointed by the Chairman of the Administrative Council.

(a) Original Proceeding

Published Decisions

Procedural Order No. 1

Procedural Order No. 2

Award of the Tribunal

Procedural Order No. 3

Available on the ICSID Website

Procedural Order No. 1 (October 25, 2024) English (Original)

Procedural Order No. 2 (November 8, 2024) English (Original)

Award of the Tribunal (July 28, 2025) English (Original)

Procedural Order No. 3 (April 30, 2025) English (Original)

(a) Original Proceeding

Date	Development
May 24, 2024	The Acting Secretary-General registers a request for the institution of arbitration proceedings.
August 28, 2024	Following appointment by the Respondent, Christopher Greenwood (British) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
September 1, 2024	Following appointment by the Claimant, Christopher Adebayo Ojo (Nigerian) accepts his appointment as arbitrator.
September 14, 2024	Following appointment by agreement of the parties, Loretta Malintoppi (Italian) accepts her appointment as presiding arbitrator.
September 16, 2024	The Tribunal is constituted in accordance with Article 37(2)(a) of the ICSID Convention. Its members are: Loretta Malintoppi (Italian), President, appointed by agreement of the parties; Christopher Adebayo Ojo (Nigerian), appointed by the Claimant; and Christopher Greenwood (British), appointed by the Respondent.
October 21, 2024	The Tribunal holds a first session by video conference.
October 25, 2024	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 1 concerning procedural matters.
October 31, 2024	The Respondent files an objection that the claim is manifestly without legal merit pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 41(1).
November 8, 2024	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 2 concerning transparency and confidentiality.
December 14, 2024	The Claimant files observations on the Respondent’s objection that the claim is manifestly without legal merit.
January 29, 2025	The Respondent files a response to the Claimant’s observations of December 14, 2025.
March 14, 2025	The Claimant files further observations on the Respondent’s objection that the claim is manifestly without legal merit.
April 30, 2025	The President holds a pre-hearing organizational meeting with the parties by video conference.
May 28, 2025	The Tribunal holds a hearing on the Respondent’s objection that the claim is manifestly without legal merit by video conference.
June 24, 2025	Each party files a statement of costs.
July 28, 2025	The Tribunal renders its award.

(b) Annulment Proceeding

Date	Development
December 8, 2025	The Secretary-General registers an application for annulment of the award filed by Spentech Engineering Limited and notifies the parties of the provisional stay of enforcement of the award.
December 22, 2025	Spentech Engineering Limited files a request to continue the stay of enforcement of the award.
January 5, 2026	United Arab Emirates files observations on the Spentech Engineering Limited’s request to continue the stay of enforcement of the award.
January 12, 2026	Spentech Engineering Limited files a response to the United Arab Emirates’s observations of January 5, 2026.
January 26, 2026	The ad hoc Committee is constituted in accordance with Article 52(3) of the ICSID Convention. Its members are: Andrea K. Bjorklund (U.S./Canadian), President; Nicolas Angelet (Belgian); and Makane Moïse Mbengue (Senegalese); all members appointed by the Chairman of the Administrative Council.