Mediation comes to the metaverse

Abu Dhabi unveils the world’s first virtual mediation centre as part of its digital first strategy.

Abu Dhabi unveils the world’s first virtual mediation centre as part of its digital first strategy.

Hot on the heels of China’s announcement that it is to open an international, inter-governmental mediation centre in Hong Kong, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Arbitration Centre has launched a virtual mediation service in the metaverse.

While virtual proceedings are nothing new, having been embraced by courts, and arbitration and mediation centres during the pandemic, the metaverse adds another dimension where – unlike proceedings which utilise video-conferencing platforms – participants find themselves in a three-dimensional, virtual version of the ADGM Arbitration Centre’s physical space which can be accessed from any computer without the need for additional hardware or headsets.