Recognised as a ‘leading team in the region for disputes’, Al Tamimi & Company handles high-stakes litigation and arbitration across key sectors, including banking and finance, professional services, insurance, and construction. Recent growth includes the arrivals of Paul Taylor from Eversheds Sutherland LLP in May 2024 to lead the arbitration practice and Richard Bell from Clyde & Co LLP in January 2024. Essam Al Tamimi and Hassan Arab are well-reputed for their skill in arbitration. Rita Jaballah is sought out by clients for banking and financial services disputes and Naief Yahia is chiefly recognised his construction-focused practice. David Holloway is active on international trade disputes. Khushboo Shahdadpuri also comes recommended.

Praised as ‘one of the best practices in the Middle East‘, A&O Shearman handles a broad spectrum of disputes for governments, multinationals, and regional players, excelling in cross-border litigation and international arbitration. Arbitration specialist and team head Yacine Francis is lauded for his ‘ability to provide commercial solutions to legal issues’ and is active across multiple sectors. Kirsten O’Connell is a key contact for construction and infrastructure disputes, while David Hume, who has a similar focus, has been recently engaged in oil and gas matters. Arash Koozehkanani continues to represent clients in complex banking and finance cases. David Odejayi brings expertise in shareholder and contractual breach disputes.

Clyde & Co LLP ‘provides a first class service which combines detailed knowledge of the law with practical steps’ and is recognised for its success across local UAE courts, the DIFC and ADGM Courts, and high-profile international arbitrations. The firm’s extensive expertise spans precedent-setting cases in sectors such as shipping, insurance, and construction, supported by the large arbitration team and a robust local advocacy offering. Susie Abdel-Nabi leads the group and is highly experienced in claims relating to joint ventures and shareholder disputes, as well as claims in the real estate and hospitality sector. Keith Hutchison focuses on banking and finance and insurance work and leads the firm’s debt recovery offering. Alexandra Lester is active for clients in the TMT space. Sherif Maher and Leonard Soudagar both have a broad commercial litigation practice, while Mark Beswetherick specialises in insurance matters and regulatory investigations. Richard Bell left the firm.

DLA Piper is widely regarded for its expertise in handling complex, high-value, and multi-jurisdictional cases, including onshore and offshore litigation, international arbitration, and regulatory investigations. The team is renowned for its skill in construction, engineering, and infrastructure disputes, as well as its standout capabilities in sanctions, compliance, and white-collar investigations. Team head Andrew Mackenzie has a notable track record in the DIFC, ADGM and major arbitration forums, specialising in construction, engineering, financial services, and post-M&A disputes. Henry Quinlan  stands out for his skill in arbitration, while Wissam Dagher is active across on-shore courts, arbitral tribunals and off-shore courts. Adam Bradshaw and Andrew Massey also come recommended.

Akin’s disputes team handles complex arbitration, litigation, and enforcement matters across a range of sectors, including finance, energy, and infrastructure. The practice is distinguished by its focus on high-value, high-stakes cases and its ability to navigate technical and precedent-setting issues with global implications. Team co-head Graham Lovett is widely considered ‘one of the most experienced lawyers in the UAE‘ and has an extensive cross-border practice that covers the full spectrum of disputes. He has also been a key advisor to the development of the UAE legislative and judicial framework. Fellow co-head Michael Stewart is noted for his strong track record in regional award enforcement, professional negligence claims, and fraud matters. Ryan Whelan spearheads the firm’s infrastructure disputes offering and is trusted by marquee energy companies, logistic service providers, and construction groups. Emily Kemp also comes recommended.

With Arabic-speaking civil law specialists and common law litigators, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP acts on complex, high-value disputes for governments, regulatory bodies, multinational corporations, and high-net-worth individuals, frequently navigating cross-border issues. The firm is particularly strong in asset tracing and recovery work, and also has a solid body of work relating to extradition and treaty-related disputes. Patrick Gearon is well-reputed for his contentious financial services expertise. Sara Sheffield ‘is a leader in litigation and arbitration in the jurisdiction‘ and has an extensive cross-border practice. Ghassan El Daye has civil law and common law capabilities and acts on financial crime and shareholder disputes and debt recovery issues. Thomas Snider joined from Al Tamimi & Company in August 2024 and and heads up the arbitration offering. Nicola Jackson joined from Clyde & Co LLP in May 2024 bolsters the team’s capabilities in insolvency litigation. Peter Smith and Max Davis also offer support. John Lewis left the firm.

Dentons‘ disputes practice in the UAE stands out for its expertise across commercial, regulatory, construction, and banking sectors, complemented by deep UAE legal knowledge and experience in arbitration and DIFC Court capabilities. Spearheading the practice is Dean Ryburn who covers a wide range of commercial and construction disputes, acting for a number of financial institutions, project companies, and financial sponsors. Christopher Brennan oversees compliance and investigation matters, while Suzannah Fairbairn is another key name for construction and engineering-related matters. Faris Shehabi ‘is a solid senior associate well versed in arbitration procedures’. Zahra Rose Khawaja has a wealth of experience litigating in the DIFC.

DWF Middle East LLP is renowned for its expertise in asset recovery, non-performing loan recoveries, and complex international litigation. The firm is also a leader in enforcement solutions, with a strong track record in securing worldwide freezing orders from the DIFC courts and managing high-profile, multi-jurisdictional cases across diverse sectors. Helming the practice is James Fox  who is praised for his ‘exceptionally sound commercial judgement’ and specialises in complex asset recovery cases. Donal Scott and Jessika Stadwick are the key supporting figures in the team and are experienced in asset recovery and enforcement matters. Matthew Dyson joined from Pinsent Masons LLP in January 2024.

Hadef & Partners LLC stands out for its ability to comprehensively counsel on complex, multi-faceted disputes that involve the Dubai courts, common law courts, and regional arbitration centres. The firm has a strong track record on substantial pieces of fraud and asset recovery litigation and is able to cover a number of sectors including construction and engineering, maritime, and transport and trade. Adrian Chadwick and Zarghona Fazal co-lead the practice, with the former reputed for the breadth of his litigation and arbitration offering and the latter for her skill in high-stake contractual and shareholder disputes. Walid Azzam and Ghalib Mahmoud bring further skill in local and international asset tracing and recovery to the fore. Karim Mahmoud is another key member of the firm’s white-collar practice, whilst also engaging with real estate disputes. Maria Lezala and Mohammed Abbas provide additional support.

HFW has a broad disputes offering that is particularly strong in the shipping and insurance space, handling a variety of cases before the DIFC and ADGM, as well as onshore courts through its association with a local advocate firm. The team also has an extensive arbitration offering. Team co-head Nick Braganza has an established reputation acting on white collar crime matters as well as shareholder and joint venture disputes. Fellow co-head Yaman Al Hawamdeh is well-positioned to litigate on cross-border cases before local courts across the region. Richard Gimblett and Charles Cockrell are key contacts for aviation disputes, while Rami Al Tal is crucial to the firm’s local litigation practice.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s deep bench of specialists is a go-to for an impressive array of clients, including multinational financial institutions, marquee energy and infrastructure companies, and high-net-worth individuals, where it is sought out to handle complex and high-stakes litigation and arbitration. Nicholas Sharratt, who heads the team, maintains a far-reaching cross-border practice encompassing significant construction disputes, fraud and asset recovery matters, and multi-jurisdictional enforcement proceedings. Deirdre Walker is noted for her expertise across litigation, arbitration, and mediation, particularly within the banking and finance sector. Yaroslav Klimov focuses predominantly on construction disputes, an area in which Aarti Thadani, promoted to partner in 2024, is also highly active. Shabnam Karim plays a pivotal role in the firm’s contentious insurance practice, while Omar Khattab, who joined from Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP in January 2024, is highly regarded for his asset recovery work and local court litigation capabilities.

Pinsent Masons LLP is lauded as a ‘highly effective team with excellent experience in the DIFC Courts and Middle Eastern-seated arbitrations’, well-equipped to handle complex disputes involving breach of contract, joint ventures, shareholder conflicts, and civil fraud. The firm bolstered its insurance capabilities with the arrival of Gregg Hammond, who joined from Ince & Co in February 2024, and continues to expand its expertise in the tech disputes space. Damian Crosse and Mark Raymont co-lead the practice, with the former noted for the breadth of his practice which spans litigation, arbitration and mediation, and the latter for his work in the construction space. Seema Bono is widely praised for ‘great ability to manage complex litigation’ and is active across a multitude of sectors. Faisal Attia specialises in construction and engineering disputes and spearheads the firm’s local litigation offering. ‘Future star’ Amelia Cave has a strong track record acting for tech and retail clients.

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP strengthened its disputes offering with the 2024 hires of John Lewis, formerly of Charles Russell Speechlys, who now leads the team, and Mohamed ElHawawy and Khurram Ali, who both joined from Ince & Co. Additionally, construction specialist Ron Nobbs relocated from the firm’s London office in October 2024. These additions add to an already deep team of advisors well-positioned to act on the full range of disputes,  often multi-jurisdictional. Lewis has longstanding experience in professional negligence claims, and Rania Tadros is sought out for supply chain and shareholder issues. A specialist in the shipping sector, Mark Lakin is valued by clients for his expertise in fraud disputes. Philip Clarke brings further capabilities in contentious regulatory matters, internal investigations and cross-border enforcement proceedings to the fore, while Saif Almobideen’s practice focuses on civil law matters. Magda Kofluk adds support on construction disputes.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP fields a versatile and dedicated commercial disputes practice with notable strength in shareholder, insurance, contractual and banking and finance cases. Recently, the firm has been involved in a diverse body of work, including complex, high-profile cases of regional significance. Helming the practice is Matthew Showler, a seasoned litigator and arbitrator who is frequently instructed by corporates, financial institutions, and prominent high net-worth individuals. Cheryl Cairns is a go-to for infrastructure-related disputes. Nikita Patel, who joined from Clyde & Co LLP in March 2024, is building a strong reputation for her growing portfolio of cross-border work.

 

‘Efficient, effective and client centric’, Afridi & Angell offers a comprehensive dispute resolution practice, adept at managing a wide spectrum of domestic and cross-border cases, including construction, banking, insurance, and technology disputes. Haider K Afridi leads the group and is chiefly recognsied for his skill in arbitration. The ‘excellent‘ Chatura Randeniya is experienced in successfully representing clients in arbitration – especially those active in the financial services and shipping space, and Mevan Bandara continues to act on an ever-growing body of cross-border disputes. Sulakshana Senanayake comes recommended for his work in the DIFC.

Bird & Bird‘s Middle East dispute resolution team is recognised for its expertise in managing commercial litigation, arbitration, and intricate fraud investigations. The firm also has a robust sports law practice, supporting governing bodies, federations, and athletes with regulatory matters and sports-related arbitrations. Yannick Hefti-Rossier is the key driver behind the firm’s sports offering. Kimia Kalantarian supports on domestic and cross-border cases. Former team head Lucas Pitts left the firm in 2025.

Clifford Chance acts for an enviable roster of clients in high-stakes litigation and arbitration, including sovereign bodies, oil and gas, energy and infrastructure companies, and regional and multinational financial institutions. Recently, the firm has a growing body of working relating to professional negligence, restructuring and insolvency, and private wealth disputes. Paul Coates leads the team and is widely recognised for his expertise in construction disputes, handling a variety of contractual, performance, and professional negligence claims. Prachi Trivedi has an extensive practice that covers both litigation and arbitration and is particularly valued by clients for her ability to act on ESG-related dispute risk. Victoria St-Amour is instructed by both project companies and contractors. Nicole Buncher is experienced in cross-border litigation.

CMS has significantly strengthened its dispute resolution practice through the hire of James Abbott from Clifford Chance in January 2024. Widely lauded as a 'star player in the Dubai disputes scene', Abbott helms the team and advises a variety of corporates, financial institutions, and government bodies across the Middle East, with a strong track record in the DIFC. Greg Sibbald and Damian Watkin focus on construction, energy and infrastructure disputes. Stephanie Melone supports on commercial litigation.

Eversheds Sutherland LLP's team is adept at handling complex litigation, including significant insolvency and constitutional disputes across UAE courts. In arbitration, the team is active in high-value cases locally and internationally, with expertise spanning construction, financial services, and regulatory matters. Helming the practice is Rebecca Copley , who has a broad practice that covers commercial litigation, arbitration, corporate crime, and investigations. Nasser Ali Khasawneh is sought out by leading multinational tech companies for IP, infringement, and defamation claims, while Shalagh Massingham is active on both commercial and construction disputes. Daniel Xu joined from King & Wood Mallesons  in November 2023. Paul Taylor left the firm.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP excels in resolving high-profile commercial conflicts across sectors including financial services, energy, TMT, construction, and hospitality, with expertise spanning major regional arbitration institutions such as the DIAC and SCCA. Additionally, the practice handles corporate investigations, cross-border disputes, and contentious matters in energy and construction, leveraging integrated sector knowledge and regional insight. Team co-head Stuart Paterson is ‘an excellent leader‘ and acts for corporates, financial institutions, and public bodies on a range of cases, particularly financial services disputes. Co-head Nick Oury predominantly focuses on construction disputes arising from real estate, energy and infrastructure projects.

Jones Day guides international and domestic clients through cross-border disputes across sectors such as construction, energy, financial services, and telecommunications, with expertise in DIFC litigation, arbitration, and other ADR proceedings. Sheila Shadmand helms the group and has experience in large-scale investigations and enforcement actions, as well as acting as a highly proficient arbitrator. Pierre Heitzmann chiefly focuses on arbitration and has a global practice that covers multi-faceted construction disputes. Philip Devenish is ‘the lawyer to go to when facing highly complex cases’ and specialises in investor-state treaty arbitration. Heather Martin has recently been active in disputes relating to white-collar crime, commercial agreements, and ESG compliance.

KBH Limited's team excels in handling complex financial and commercial litigation, with a growing focus on shareholder disputes influenced by international regulatory changes, including Russian sanctions. The team also handles high-value LCIA arbitrations, cryptocurrency disputes, and provides specialised advice on sanctions and international arbitration matters. Bushra Ahmed, who acts for multinationals and high-net-worth individuals in a range of financial and shareholder disputes, is praised for her ‘excellent attention to detail and good judgement in complex cases‘. Co-DK Singh is the firm’s managing partner and has a strong track record in the DIFC, as well as possessing a robust arbitration practice. Simon Perhar has experience in both civil and common law jurisdictions and has notable expertise in intellectual property and data protection matters. Kamila Sielski supports on employment, construction and financial services cases. Helen Dent is active in high-stakes litigation and arbitration.

Described as a ‘well-oiled machine equipped in all aspects to handle large litigation’, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP strengthened its disputes practice with the arrival of former King & Wood Mallesons duo Joanne Strain and Parnika Chaturvedi in December 2023. Renowned for their extensive experience in UAE court litigation, the pair are frequently sought after for representation before UAE offshore courts, international arbitration centres, and foreign judicial systems. The team has recently been active in high-profile matters, including joint venture disputes, unlawful termination claims, and setting aside freezing orders.

Reed Smith's disputes practice is highly regarded in the market for its expertise in shareholder, joint venture, real estate, restructuring and insolvency, and post-M&A disputes, with particular distinction in international arbitration. The team stands out for its impressive track record in handling complex, high-value construction project disputes, regularly advising prominent public and private sector clients on significant regional matters. Antonia Birt and Waseem Khokhar co-lead the group, with the former recognised for her broad practice that includes litigation, arbitration, mediation and investigations, and the former well-reputed for his expertise in white collar crime disputes. James Willn focuses on claims in the insurance, energy and maritime spaces, while Michelle Nelson has a focused arbitration offering. Sachin Kerur is a further name for construction and infrastructure disputes.

Addleshaw Goddard has a practice particularly tailored towards construction disputes, active on litigation and arbitration across a variety of sectors and markets across the Gulf. Team head Stephen Burke is instructed by industry players and government agencies on EPC issues connected to large-scale infrastructure projects, while co-head Bevan Farmer, who is based in Qatar, has a strong track record in the energy space. Arun Visweswaran joined from Clifford Chance in September 2023 and is noted for his skill in construction and engineering-related arbitration. Emma Gregory supports on wrongful termination, bankruptcy, and contractual matters. Shane Jury and Emma Tormey left the firm. Lucas Pitts joined from Bird & Bird in early 2025.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner's construction team is distinguished for its extensive expertise across sectors including transport infrastructure, residential real estate, defence, hospitality, energy, and airports. Group lead Richard Davies acts for a strong roster of regional and overseas developers and contractors, with recent activity in ADCCAC, DIAC and LCIA arbitration. Charles Lilley is a go-to for Chinese contractor clients active in the MENA region. Richard Dupay is highly active on cross-border litigation and arbitration. Jack Ticehurst and Liwei Gong also come recommended.

Hogan Lovells (United Arab Emirates) LLP continues to handle a broad range of disputes, including shareholder and joint venture disputes, bribery investigations, insolvencies, and real estate, with notable arbitration work across the Middle East. Team head Randall Walker, renowned for his work in relation to energy and project-related disputes, is praised for his ‘deep expertise and strategic insight that consistently delivers exceptional results’. Patrick McPherson focuses on construction mandates. Jessica Quinlan supports on both cross-border litigation and arbitration.

K&L Gates combines extensive local knowledge and disputes expertise to represent clients in complex construction and commercial litigation and arbitration. Team head Jonathan Sutcliffe is a ‘truly outstanding lawyer‘ who is recognised for his strength in arbitration and experience in multiple international centres. Nazanin Aleyaseen ‘excels in cross-border disputes’, and Jennifer Paterson is active in a range of cases including commercial contracts and employment issues.

Squire Patton Boggs offers a well-rounded practice, representing contractors and government ministries in complex construction disputes, as well as banking, financial services, and professional services clients in commercial disputes. Team head Thomas Wilson is a key name for arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. Ravinder Bhullar is ‘an excellent construction lawyer’ who is active on infrastructure and real estate-related cases. Sam Song has a broad practice and is well positioned to support on construction, white-collar crime, and investigation matters. Anna Dellapa primarily focuses on construction cases.

Watson Farley & Williams has further strengthened its disputes offering through the hire of Natalie Jensen and Khalid Hamed from Ince & Co in March 2024, with the duo bringing extensive expertise in insurance and maritime disputes. The team is headed by Charlotte Bijlani who is praised as an ‘outstanding lawyer that goes the extra mile to make sure that her clients are satisfied, covered and properly informed and advised.’ Haya Al Bawab is valued by clients for her expertise in cybercrime and tech disputes.

ADG Legal is active in cross-border litigation and arbitration, often handling matters involving civil and criminal law, business-related crimes, and multi-jurisdictional legal systems. Josh Kemp is praised for his ability to ‘masterfully co-ordinate a team of international counsel, experts and clients based all over the globe to produce cohesive and high quality work for his clients’. Mohammed Al Dahbashi has recently been active in shareholder disputes and fraud allegations.

AMERELLER has notable strength in international arbitrations under ICC, LCIA, DIAC, and ICSID rules, covering commercial, construction, and engineering disputes. The firm also handles cross-border litigation and has a growing caseload involving white-collar, leisure, and fintech-related disputes. Alexander Lütgendorf leads the group and acts for a range of government-backed entities, industry players, and high-net worth individuals on a range of disputes. Christopher Gunson is a go-to for white-collar crime expertise. Jonathan Noble also comes recommended.

Baker McKenzie LLP‘s practice is recognised for its expertise in arbitration and construction disputes, representing a range of developers, contractors and insurers in the UAE and wider Gulf region. Team head Luka Kristovic-Blazevic is highly experienced in a variety of regional and international arbitration centres. Taisiya Vorotilova and Marlize Dumas support on multi-jurisdictional disputes involving arbitration, litigation, and bankruptcy.

 

BSA Law has expertise spanning contractual disputes, construction claims, investment losses, and maritime issues, combining common and civil law knowledge to comprehensively represent clients in the UAE. Antonios Dimitracopoulos is the key name.

HAMDAN ALSHAMSI LAWYERS & LEGAL CONSULTANTS acts for an extensive roster of regional and global clients in the DIFC, ADGM and UK courts, demonstrating notable strength in complex banking and finance cases, regulatory disputes, and insurance and shareholder contentions. Robert Whitehead is ‘an excellent strategist‘ who acts on both complex litigation and arbitration across multiple sectors. Hamdan Alshamsi is praised by clients as ‘an exceptional, experienced and creative leader‘.

 

Primarily regarded for its insurance expertise, Kennedys has a robust disputes practice featuring a deep team of practitioners that serve an array of public and private entities on domestic and cross-border litigation and arbitration. Peter Ellingham, who handles both commercial and insurance cases, jointly heads the team with Mark Wilson, who focuses on construction-related insurance claims. Rishi Sengupta is another name for insurance matters. Mehdi Seadon provides further commercial arbitration capabilities. Celine Abi Habib Kanakri and Khalil Mechantaf left the firm.

King & Spalding LLP focuses on cases across the energy, real estate, construction, and infrastructure sectors, as well as handling a growing body of work pertaining to banking and finance disputes and investigations. Ben Williams is instructed by prominent state-backed entities, corporates and financial institutions on a mix of construction and commercial matters. Adam Gray relocated from Austin in May 2023 and brings further construction expertise to the fore. Kateryna Frolova and Sophia Cafoor-Camps come recommended.

Mayer Brown‘s UAE practice acts as a key part of its global disputes offering, with its bench of practitioners frequently collaborating with colleagues in Paris and London on complex international litigation and arbitration. Gerard Moore leads the team and represents contractors, suppliers and employers in a full range of disputes. Patricia Ugalde Revilla is an ‘an outstanding and astute lawyer‘ who is active on infrastructure and energy-related arbitration. Antonin Sobek also focuses on arbitration.

A 'boutique firm with very experienced lawyers' OGH Legal offers dual expertise in international and local law, advising on construction, banking, insolvency, and cross-border disputes, alongside a growing corporate advisory practice. Sherif Hikal and Mohamed ElGhatit co-lead the team, with the former recognsied for his background in banking and finance and insolvency cases and the latter for his strength in construction and engineering disputes. Suzanne Abdullah has recently been active on commercial disputes and has specialist knowledge in IP matters. Omar Abdulaziz Al Omar also comes recommended.

Vinson & Elkins LLP is chiefly active on energy, infrastructure and oil and gas-related arbitration, handling complex engineering and construction matters for a range of regional and international industry players. Nabeel Ikram represents developers, contractors and consultants on contentious issues arising from projects. James Loftis splits his time between Dubai and Houston and is frequently sought out by government bodies and national oil companies for representation.

White & Case LLP’s disputes team provides comprehensive support to regional and international clients, covering construction and commercial disputes, as well as investigations. The practice is adept at handling matters involving commercial agreements, cybersecurity and data protection, intellectual property, and employment issues. Group lead Michael Turrini is active on energy and infrastructure disputes. Julia Zagonek is a 'brilliant strategist' who is strong in arbitration. Aimy Roshan's practice spans commercial and construction matters. Oleg Todua has a solid background in investment treaty cases.