‘Expertise, high quality of work and excellent communication of advice to in house legal teams.’

‘Richard Bell. Expertise, high quality advisory and excellent communication with in house legal teams.’

‘Al Tamimi Dispute Resolution practice provides specialized Construction Law expertise, specifically in the Transportation Sector. Their presence in the Middle East allows our Country Directors to liaise directly with the Country Al Tamimi Lawyers. Execution of services once a SoW has been agreed is prompt and delivery of services is always on time within the deadlines.’

‘Premier law firm in the region.’

‘Leonard Soudagar: very bright efficient and highly effective litigator; great with clients and good strategic thinking.’

‘Dispute resolution in the TMT sector is a rare expertise in the MENA region, and this team has that expertise – genuinely. They understand the legal and commercial operations within the sector which is vital in complex disputes.’

‘The team was well resourced from partner to associate level. Furthermore, the team was able to call upon additional resources when necessary. The firm has a good reach to external parties such as barristers (for advocacy) and experts. The team is technically very capable, understanding complex issues in our dispute. Case management was very efficient, deadlines and deliverables were well identified and overall, the timetable was well managed.’

‘All of the individuals were a pleasure to work with. They behaved professionally and sincerely at all times. Case strategy and advice was always given in a forthright manner, including identifying potential risks as well as opportunities. The standout members were Andrew Mackenzie, Terrick McCallum, and Jahnvi Jhaveri.’

‘The DLA Piper ADME team is one of the very few truly global cross-border law firms that operates in the Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Gulf region of the legal market. It is quite unique in this respect and is, in my view, one of the top premier dispute resolution firms in that part of the world. It has not only strong legal expertise in-house but extremely good contacts in the related industries that support dispute resolution (e.g. accounting and financial experts).’

‘Afridi & Angell Legal Consultants has a solid reputation in dispute resolution and international arbitration. My experience with the firm is limited, but they are known for collaborative and pragmatic approach.’

‘I have interacted with Mevan Bandara, who stands out for being professional, approachable, and responsive. He is easy to work with and provides timely support.’

‘The firm provides thoughtful and solid legal advice. Very service minded.’

‘Akin’s Dubai dispute team instructed me as counsel in relation to some DIFC proceedings and they were brilliant to work with. Unflappable, on top of everything, pro-active, responsive, pragmatic, analytical – the whole package.’

‘Michael Stewart is brilliant. He was leading on the matter I worked on with Akin and his insights and ideas made a real difference to the outcome of the case. He is also an absolute pleasure to work with.’

‘Graham Lovett is arguably the leading disputes practitioner in the Middle East. Graham enjoys a reputation for first class quality and has acted on the largest ‘bet the bank’ disputes in the region. He is a superb communicator and commands a room with his nature gravitas. In addition to Graham, Michael Stewart  is a highly regarded rising star. Michael’s technical ability is first class and he is rated by clients for his responsiveness and outside the box thinking.’

‘Dentons is a heavyweight in international arbitration in the Middle East. The team regularly handles some of the most complex and high-value disputes work that there is. Dentons’ team is small enough to be nimble and able to react to all developments as they arise and their strategic approach is always the right one.’

‘Dean Ryburn is a stellar partner. Brilliant with clients, he has excellent commercial and strategic vision and consistently achieves good outcomes. Suzannah Fairbairn  is technically superb and very easy to work with.’

‘The team showed excellent knowledge in the dispute resolution area.’

‘Tarik Sharif – an exceptional lawyer whose analysis is spot-on and who produces exceptional submissions. Jamie Fox – an excellent team leader with sound tactical knowledge.’

‘I have worked with James Fox and his team on a number of matters concerning complex litigation across multiple jurisdictions, including the UAE. In all occasions they have been excellent to work with, combining an extensive knowledge of UAE law with a creative approach geared towards obtaining the best outcome for the client. James’ advice is practical and commercially minded.’

‘James Fox stands out in Dubai’s legal market due to his deep regional experience and leadership as Managing Partner of DWF. He specializes in complex dispute resolution, including international arbitration and high-value asset recovery. His client portfolio includes major banks, IT firms, and government-linked defence companies, reflecting his trusted reputation. With rights of audience before the DIFC Courts and roles in regional legal advisory groups, he’s recognized as a strategic and influential legal expert in the Middle East. Donal Scott is a real star too. ’

‘Eversheds has a very experienced team. One of the only teams to have been involved in substantial litigation in the ADGM as well as DIFC, with very good knowledge of onshore issues too.’

‘Partner Rebecca Copley is a star in the region, who draws on a wealth of experience and is very personable and unflappable under pressure. Associate Shibani Kapur is also very impressive.’

‘An outstanding team within the region, they combine excellence from partner level down to junior associates and trainees. They are brilliant technical lawyers but with the ability to see the wood for the trees and committed to fighting for clients’ interests. They are quick, responsive and hard working – and a pleasure to deal with.’

‘Hadef & Partners is one of the pre-eminent firms in the region for international litigation, having a truly global team of lawyers who understand the complexities of litigating in the DIFC, in the UAE and in foreign jurisdictions. In my experience, their analysis is always thorough, accurate and practical.’

‘I have worked, as English counsel, with Maria Lezala and Kim Mullins on a potential DIFC investment mis-selling case. Their approach to the case was pragmatic and commercial, and their own analysis of the strengths and weaknesses in the client’s position was excellent. They handled our client very well, and provided a seamless interface between him and me. Above all, they were a delight to work with. I have also dealt with Walid Azzam and Karim Mahmoud, who are extremely knowledgeable and highly respected international litigators.’

‘Have one of the deepest knowledge and understanding of the local legal system, which makes Hadef trustworthy as a law firm to provide the best answer promptly. When urgency is required, they are very responsive.’

‘Friendly, commercial, diverse and really client-focused. Their whole team is geared towards client care.’

‘Nick Sharratt is a real stand-out partner. He is a great leader and always delivers a first-class product to his clients.’

‘Absolutely top notch firm in the UAE. They are extremely talented in handling and coordinating high profile cross-border matters.’

‘When compared to other firms, Pinsent Mason’s practice excels in its integrity and transparency. They uphold the highest ethical standards, fostering trust and accountability in all their interactions. Overall, Pinsent Mason’s practice is uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional value to their clients through their commitment to client-centricity, innovation, integrity, collaboration, and excellence.’

‘The individuals I work with at Pinsent Masons are exceptional in their dedication, expertise, and collaborative spirit. What truly makes them stand out is their unwavering commitment to excellence and their ability to consistently deliver outstanding results. They are not only highly skilled professionals but also possess a deep understanding of our needs and the industry landscape.’

‘Seema Bono is a standout partner and team leader for the the way she motivates her team, experts and clients and sets the standard in terms of work ethic and output.’

‘Mazin El Amin and Mark Lakin stand out for their strategic approach, responsiveness, and clear, solution-oriented advice. Unlike competitors, they combine deep expertise with practical insight and a client-focused mindset. I particularly value their collaboration, reliability, and ability to deliver results efficiently.’

‘Ron Nobbs is absolutely fantastic – extremely bright, and outstanding lawyer, immensely experienced and a superb strategist who is brilliant with clients and a real pleasure to work with. Ryan Whelan is immensely impressive – very bright, very commercial, and extremely easy to get on with.’

‘John Lewis is among the very few international lawyers with such outstanding experience in both litigation and arbitration within the UAE and the wider Middle East. Without exaggeration, his attention to detail, profound knowledge of the courts and applicable laws, combined with his creative yet pragmatic approach and robust legal background, make him the foremost international lawyer who comes to mind when legal services for contentious matters are sought in the region. His associate Sharif Jamoos have also been a great person to work with.’

‘Trowers & Hamlins has deep knowledge of the DIFC and broader UAE legal systems, both in litigation and arbitration. What stands out is the significant past experience on the ground and real familiarity with the process and particularities of work in the region.’

‘Matthew Showler is a very strong strategist. He sees the bigger picture and has excellent judgment. He is also convincing and firm with clients when advising taking particular course of action that is in their interests, but contrary to what they believe they should do – one of the most challenging tasks.’

‘A team with good experience internationally and a solid group of associates to support the partners.’

‘A well coordinated team capable of dealing with complex disputes.’

‘Modern approach and industry expertise. Involved in more cutting edge work than competitors and gives the appearance to really understand the industry deeply and with passion.’

‘Technical knowledge which goes beyond the law and applies an expert lens rather than strictly legal view. Genuine interest in the business and work that they do.’

‘A leading team in the region that bring a global worldview to their practice.’

‘Sara Sheffield is a creative thinker and problem solver. She advised on a particular matter that involved a series of novel strategies as options alongside more traditional options. She worked to cut through complexity to devise the most straightforward solution. She is my ‘go to’ in the region.’

‘I have worked the most with Sara Sheffield in CRS’s Dubai office in the context of enforcing a DIAC award in the DIFC and UAE onshore. I was impressed with Sara’s responsiveness, business acumen and readiness to find a solution for her client, who had a good claim but was unable to fund the litigation himself. Sara and CRS offered this client a fully contingent fee pricing model (secured by an insurance policy).’

‘CMS is a great firm in Dubai, with over the board service!’

‘James Abbott is the go-to attorney in Dubai. He is excellent in international litigation – innovative, creative and very very smart. He thinks a few steps ahead and delivers great results.’

‘It has been a real pleasure working with CMS for more than 5 years. We have consistently found the firm to be a reliable, responsive, and highly professional partner in handling complex and cross-border matters. The firm demonstrates exceptional legal expertise combined with a practical, business-oriented approach that makes their advice both insightful and actionable. Their ability to navigate multi-jurisdictional challenges with clarity and precision has been invaluable to us.’

‘Good strategic thinkers, with a good combination of legal and commercial nous.’

‘Very approachable and very knowledgeable of the legal points.’

‘The firm provides excellent services in arbitration including pre-arbitration support. They proved to be very effective in managing disputes at their early stages with the objective of either avoiding the escalation of the dispute or being legally prepared and well positioned for satisfactory results if arbitration proceedings are unavoidable.’

‘The Jones Day team are highly energetic and demonstrate a strong commitment to client care. They consistently pay close attention to the details of each case.’

‘When you work with Chris Norris, you feel as though he treats your case as if it were his own. He is highly detail-oriented, professional, and gives you the confidence that you are in good hands.’

‘The dispute resolution team at Jones Day are truly exceptional. The team is very experienced, extremely diligent and uniquely dynamic. Unlike many other firms, they are both technically proficient and able to take an ‘out-of-the-box’ approach to each of their matters. The team always leaves no stone unturned, which means they consistently deliver outstanding results.’

‘I have worked with Parnika Chaturvedi in particular in the Abu Dhabi office. She has strong international commercial arbitration experience acting in a wide range of financial and commercial disputes. She has knowledge of the DIFC and Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts and she also has a good knowledge of the Court of England and Wales.’

‘As above, I have worked with Parnika on a long-running and high-value shareholder dispute, that spans several jurisdictions, in which various complex issues of arbitral law have arisen. I have not had much interaction with her wider team, but I have found Parnika to be responsive, knowledgeable, strategic and client-focused. ’

‘Joanne Strain and Parnika are one of the strongest litigation teams in the UAE’

‘AG has represented us with respect to a variety of disputes, ranging from very high value/complexity to low value routine business disputes. They have an excellent team in the region and I would not hesitate in recommending them to others.’

‘Arun Visweswaran is methodical and level headed. We feel in safe hands.’

‘The individual with whom we have been associated is very knowledgeable and his guidance has been great to us while dealing with the other party.’

‘Ashurst’s practice is very high quality. They have great depth of experience and expertise in international arbitration. Cameron Cuffe is a brilliant team leader of the regional practice.’

‘Cameron Cuffe is a true leader. His engagement is exceptional. He establishes the right team for the case and really looks after his clients. He knows the cases himself, has great insights, and achieves successful outcomes. He is a great communicator which means the team – solicitors, counsel, experts and above all clients, are all happy and pulling together.’

‘Very strong capability throughout the office.’

‘BCLP’s team is very professional and strong. They helped us win an arbitration case in the DIAC.’

‘From a very technologically complex project and case that requires specific skills and expertise, K&L Gates managed to break it down into manageable workshops to address different aspects of the claim. When necessary, they brought independent experts that went through deep analysis of the project with their own understanding and perspective, that made it easier for us to handle and reflect our own position into witness statements. K&L Gates legal expertise and explanation of the main contract was of immense help when it came to identify what can be claimed, how it can be claimed and what clause of the contract is applicable or not in term of LD’s, Delay analysis, VOWD etc.’

‘Each of K&L Gates’ resources had a very professional approach with fast response time, very clear instructions on how to handle different claims with respect to the contract and to what extend our arguments could be used to submit valid claims. They also prepared us for the hearing in LCIA by providing a Witness familiarization training that proven very useful.’

‘The team are a very long-standing presence in the UAE, meaning they have built up a lot of knowledge and experience of how to conduct disputes in the region. They have native Arabic language capability, which is really very important, both in dealing with Arabic clients but also in researching and writing in Arabic when needed. They are equally well-versed in arbitration, DIFC court litigation and managing local onshore litigation along-side local lawyers.’

‘KBH was recommended to me by our own external counsel and have provided exceptional strategic support on material matters. Very responsive, very knowledgeable but also able to distill their advice and recommendations into clear commercial actions.’

‘Andrea Kidman is a key point of contact. She is highly intelligent, commercial and practical.’

‘Experience, knowledge and strategic thinking.’

‘Passion, eye for details and ability to formulate strong arguments.’

‘What makes this practice unique is the combination of deep sector expertise with a genuinely client-focused approach. The team at Watson Farley & Williams LLP demonstrates a high level of technical knowledge in arbitration and international litigation, but what sets them apart is their ability to combine that expertise with clear, pragmatic advice. They are highly responsive, proactive, and consistently take ownership of the matter, which builds confidence even in complex cross-border disputes.’

‘The individuals I have worked with at Watson Farley & Williams LLP stand out for their professionalism, accessibility, and depth of expertise. The partners I have engaged with demonstrate exceptional strategic thinking, attention to detail, and an ability to anticipate issues before they arise. I have valued their clear communication and ability to remain calm and solutions-oriented even in high-pressure situations. Associates on the team have also been impressive — highly diligent, responsive, and consistently delivering high-quality work to tight deadlines.’

‘A well organised team that provides detailed communication and updates on the issues in hand. Whether its the Dubai team or the London office our cases are handled professionally with our best interests taken care of.’

‘They are a really brave and imaginative team of lawyers. They actively try and find solutions. So as well as having all the talents they really do go the extra mile. There is a palpable difference between them and say a UK law firm. They also have a great support team.’

‘There are so many excellent lawyers there I would pick out the two principals, Mohammed Al Dabashi and Peter Gray. However I also want to draw the following person to your attention: Josh Kemp is a brilliant mind and great lawyer; David McCoy is the complete package, extremely fluent with clients.’

‘I believe this is one of the strongest and most energetic litigation teams in UAE. Excellent access to English law talent. Very strong UAE law team. Very knowledgeable, creative, non nonsense people. Ready to work around the clock if necessary. One of the very top legal firms among top firms I worked with on 4 continents over the last 30 years. Simply outstanding.’

‘Curtis’ arbitration and international litigation practice stands out for its global presence, extensive state representation, and ability to manage complex, cross-border disputes. The team has handled high-value investor-state and commercial arbitrations, combining strong advocacy with a deep understanding of both domestic and international law. They are known for their analytical precision, cross-jurisdictional coordination, and practical insights on enforcement and strategy.’

‘Mohannad El Murtadi leads the Arbitration team with knowledge, expertise, and clear and short communication. Above all, he has always a clear strategy and an answer to everything.’

‘Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP boasts an exceptional team of attorneys with diverse backgrounds and expertise. For each case, they carefully select the most suitable counsel to represent their clients, ensuring tailored legal solutions. Their team demonstrates a remarkable ability to analyse complex legal issues and provide effective, practical solutions. Furthermore, their extensive experience across a broad spectrum of legal matters gives them a distinct advantage over other law firms we have previously engaged.’

‘Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants’ dispute resolution practice is, in my experience, unique in Dubai for its combination of international standards of advocacy and deep local knowledge of the DIFC and wider UAE legal framework. The team has the ability to handle highly complex, cross-border matters in a way that is seamless for foreign clients.’

‘I have worked closely with Rodrigo Carè, who has been outstanding. His ability to master the details of complex disputes while keeping a firm eye on overall strategy is exceptional. He combines the qualities of an international advocate—clarity, precision, and forceful argument—with a commercial pragmatism that clients appreciate. His availability and responsiveness have been second to none, and he has consistently demonstrated leadership in coordinating workstreams across borders.’

‘The dispute resolution team at Galadari demonstrates strong technical expertise combined with a clear understanding of commercial objectives. They are highly responsive and efficient, with the ability to manage complex disputes in a structured and strategic manner. The team adopts a collaborative approach that ensures consistency and clarity throughout the process.’

‘Skilled lawyers able to offer insightful and precise advise in the context of foreign proceedings.’

‘Dr Habib, Dr Karen Seif and Hany Maher are all stand out individuals.’

‘HAS is distinguished by its flexibility and pragmatic approach to client needs. The team is responsive and collaborative, which makes working with them straightforward, and their flexible billing arrangements provide transparency and predictability for clients.’

‘I have collaborated with Robert Whitehead, Adhiraj Malhotra, and Fahad Khalid. All three are professional and approachable. They stand out for their responsiveness and pragmatic guidance.’

‘Through my experience with HAS, they proved accuracy and attention to detail. Although our case was a difficult one, each member of the team has demonstrated sound case management, accuracy, professionalism and confidence. ’

‘Randall Walker is highly diligent, resourceful and accurate – a superb all-round lawyer.’

‘Hogan Lovells is a top tier dispute resolution firm for complex litigation. They hustle and achieve results.’

‘We have closely worked with Mr. Randall Walker. He is such an amazing Partner who is not only approachable but also provides legally apt practical solutions.’

‘The Kennedys team presents from a diverse background of both culture and legal specialisms. I find their approach collaborative and not overly combative – they generally search for opportunities to work with stakeholders where appropriate to find a resolution.’

‘Rishi Sengupta is a practical lawyer, who sets out clear options with decisive recommendations for the path forwards, backed up by historical case decisions in challenging jurisdictions. Mehdi Seadon is a thorough and balanced practitioner who provides clear advice. His combined UK and Middle Eastern experience sets him out above his competitors. Peter Ellingham is a well rounded, experienced practitioner with thorough knowledge of his subject matter. His unflappable, reasoned manner is somewhat unique.’

‘Rishi is an exceptional lawyer.’

‘Mayer Brown has an outstanding international arbitration team, with great knowledge of the interaction between arbitration, local courts and the DIFC.’

‘Gerard Moore is an outstanding partner at Mayer Brown. He has great strategic and legal insight.’

‘The team is well versed with the standard industry practice for real estate and construction disputes and ensure that the client acts in accordance with the standard and not solely revert to dispute mechanisms. They are always on top of every detail in every letter exchanged during legal proceedings and cater for the client’s commercial need while ensuring utmost legal protection.’

‘The entire team is well-aligned and complements each other, ensuring the appropriateness of report submissions.’

‘Rishabh Jogani is really responsive and pragmatic in his approach to handle cases.’

‘MRP are incredibly responsive and efficient in turning around high-quality work at short notice. The team specialises in international arbitration with considerable experience in this field. They are very strong on strategy and identifying innovative solutions to the client’s problems.’

‘Ability to take on big complex cases and resource them very well.’

‘Aimy Roshan: incredibly hard working; a great thinker; very good strategic thinking.’

‘Hard-working.’