Comparing the Ministerial Approval Requirement for Arbitration in Administrative Contracts in Saudi Arabia and Egypt

Abstract This article compares the ministerial approval requirement in Article 10(2) of the Saudi Arbitration Law of 2012 to Article 1(2) of the Egyptian Arbitration Law of 1994. The article starts with a historical analysis of the ministerial approval requirement in the Saudi Arbitration Law. Then it discusses the main issues that arise out of the ministerial approval requirement in Egyptian case law and its implications for the Saudi Arbitration Law. While the Saudi law details the process of procuring the approval, it is yet up to the Saudi administrative courts to shape the future of the arbitration agreements in administrative contracts. The article concludes that the Saudi Arbitration Law of 2012 can be read in an arbitration friendly fashion and can benefit from the Egyptian experiences with their own arbitration law.