Dispute Resolution: Domestic
United Arab Emirates
6 years ranked
LAWYER PROFILE
Ali Al Zarooni
Global 2026
Ranked in 2 practice areas
Contributions and articles
1 In-depth overview
About
Provided by Horizons & Co Law Firm
Global
Practice Areas
Ali is the founder and managing partner of Horizons & Co., and a practicing Emirati lawyer. With almost 30 years of experience, Ali specialises in disputes resolution, notably litigation and arbitration, as well as providing sophisticated UAE local corporate and commercial legal advice. He has deep sector expertise especially in the areas of real estate and construction, financial institutions, and private clients.
He has represented some of the most prominent companies, establishments and individuals before all levels of courts and various arbitration tribunals in the UAE, GCC region and around the world. Ali is also regularly appointed as both an Independent Expert and as an advocate on matters of UAE law and its applicability to disputes.
Ali also leads the litigation team, supporting many prominent companies and individuals before all levels of the UAE courts. He is especially renowned for his real estate and construction sector expertise, where he advises on often very technical, complex and high-value cases for clients including government departments, developers, occupiers, lenders, contractors and consultants.
A registered arbitrator with DIAC and a registered member of the Islamic Centre for Reconciliation and Arbitration (IICRA), Ali is also regularly appointed as an arbitrator or legal expert by both institutions along with the ICC, ADCCAC and the local UAE courts.
Career
Founder and Managing Partner of Horizons & Co. Law Firm, 1999 - Present
Professional Memberships
• Arbitrator registered with Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
• Arbitrator registered with Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM)
• Chartered Arbitrator Fellow with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
• Registered with ADGMAC Panel of Mediators
• Registered with ADGMAC Panel of Arbitrators
• Arbitrator registered for the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA)
• Arbitrator registered with Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC)
• Registered Legal Practitioner with the DIFC Courts
• Member of the International Bar Association, London
• Member of the UAE National Committee for International Chamber of Commerce (ICC UAE)
• Member of the International Committee of the Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA)
Publications
Highlights of recent speaking engagements:
- Speaking at the ICC-YAAF Dubai Arbitration Week event on “Middle Eastern perspectives on cross-border disputes”, November 2023.
-Panelist at GAR Live during Dubai Arbitration Week, discussing a roundup of key court decisions in the region, November 2023.
-Panelist at The Legal 500 (Legalease)'s Middle East Disputes Summit, discussing the new era of commercial agency disputes, September 2023.
-Speaking at the Russian Arbitration Center seminar at Russian Institute of Modern Arbitration on “Arbitrating through the thorns: how to conduct international arbitration proceedings nowadays”, July 2023.
-Speaking at The Wealth Today's FoRe Summit, hosted by Forensic Risk Alliance, on the "Global and Regional Trends in the Legal and Regulatory Framework for Restructuring and Insolvencies“, June 2023.
-Providing training as part of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)'s comprehensive training program on how to handle arbitration cases under the DIAC rules, whether as counsel or arbitrators, June2023.
-Panelist at the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) webinar on "The Challenges of Delivering Major Projects in the Middle East and their Impact on Disputes“, May 2023
-Speaking to students at Al Ain University on the topic of “Careers in arbitration and ADR” with ICC YAAF in November 2022.
-Speaker at the ICA-FICCI conference providing a meaningful overview of current developments in the field of domestic & international arbitration and its interplay between civil and common law, March 2022.
-Speaker at the ICC and SCL Egypt Conference on ‘Claims and Dispute Resolution Mechanisms: what’s new in FIDIC 2017 compared to FIDIC 1999?’ in Cairo, Egypt, November 2019
-Panelist at the ThoughtLeaders4: FIRE Middle East 2022 on the topic of “Enforcing Judgments in the UAE and the Middle East” in Dubai, November 2022.
-Panelist at the L2 i-CON International Construction Claims and ADR Conference on ”Expert Evidence in Construction Disputes: Problems and Safeguards” in Dubai, November 2022.
-Panelist on the The GAR Live - UAE Federal Arbitration Act – Three years into the UAE Federal Arbitration Act, discussed developments since the implementation of the law, February 2022
Speaker at the ICA International Conference on Arbitration in the era of globalization – The Fourth Edition, January 2022
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Chambers Global Guide
Dispute Resolution: Domestic - United Arab Emirates
Band 1
Individual Editorial
Construction: Dispute Resolution - United Arab Emirates
Band 3
Individual Editorial
Managing partner Ali Al Zarooni is a much-esteemed Emirati disputes lawyer who is noted for his frequent handling of high-value construction litigation cases. He is equally well versed in major international arbitrations conducted under the auspices of such institutions as the DIAC.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
What distinguishes Ali is his deep understanding of the nuances of the UAE court system, his strategic foresight and ability to deliver practical, commercially driven solutions.
Dispute Resolution: DomesticChambers Global GuideI have been impressed with Dr Al Zarooni's strategic insight and courtroom experience.
Dispute Resolution: DomesticChambers Global GuideAli Al Zarooni is one of those people who looks at the bigger picture and helps pave the way forward.
Dispute Resolution: DomesticChambers Global GuideAli Al Zarooni is one of the best local practitioners. We often consult him as an expert on UAE law.
Construction: Dispute ResolutionChambers Global Guide
Ranked Individuals at Horizons & Co Law Firm (3)
United Arab Emirates
Ali Al Zarooni
Construction: Dispute Resolution
View profile Ali Al Zarooni
Dispute Resolution: Domestic
View profile 
Lilas Al Akhras
Dispute Resolution: Domestic: Without Rights of Audience
View profile
All Contributions (1)
Provided by Horizons & Co Law Firm
What success is built on
Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.