Construction Arbitration and Standard Forms of Contract in the Middle East: National Culture and Its Impact on Perception and Practice

Abstract

This article examines the role culture may play in contract administration and dispute resolution, and considers the implications of using international standard forms of contract in the Middle East.The influence of culture on law has been acknowledged in the criminal field, but not in the contractual field. National culture can influence perceptions of risk, management practices and views on justice. Given that standard forms of contract are used globally across a wide range of cultures, is there a need to tailor them to different national cultures?