Conflict of Laws in E-Commerce in the UAE and the Prospect for Harmonization among Gulf Cooperation Council Member States

This thesis argues that the current legal framework regulating electronic commercial transactions, both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C), within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and across member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), requires development in the areas of determining the judicial jurisdiction and the law applicable to those transactions. Following analyses focusing on the provisions of the UAE and GCC member states for determining jurisdiction and applicable law, the thesis provides justification for the conclusion that the private international law rules of those states are in need of updating, especially regarding electronic commerial transactions. The thesis provides a particularly original dimension in terms of proposals for legislative reform and suggested draft provisions. The main underlying factors for the central argument of the thesis for development and updating of the laws of the UAE and GCC member states include the following considerations: First, the current provisions do not adequately reflect the nature of B2B transactions in e-commerce. Second, the current rules do not reflect the particular vulnerability of consumers and do not adequately ensure protection of consumers’ rights. Third, there is the need for effective dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve B2C disputes, and consideration of such mechanisms would suit the circumstances of the UAE, and the GCC. The matters under discussion have not yet been addressed by harmonised legislations between member states of the GCC, whereas the GCC aims to be an organisation for political and economic cooperation in the region. In light of this last consideration, the thesis examines how the concerned matters are addressed within the European Union (EU) framework and considers whether and how the GCC could draw lessons from the EU model. In concluding, legislative provisions are suggested for the UAE and the GCC; and an appropriate dispute resolution mechanism is proposed for e-commerce transactions.