
Mohamed S Abdel Wahab
About
Provided by Mohamed S Abdel Wahab
Professional Memberships
Chair, Int'l Expert Committee for the Permanent Forum on China Construction Law
Member of the Governing Board, ICCA
Dean, Africa Arbitration Academy
Co-Chair, IBA ARF
Vice-President, Global, CIArb, UK
President Elect, CIArb 2025
Fellow, CIArb
Vice Chair of the ICC Governing Body, DRS
Vice Chair, CRCICA Advisory Committee
Member, Court of Arbitration, PCA
Member, Court of Arbitration, LACIAC
Member, Academic Council, Institute of Transnational Arbitration (ITA)
Member, Board of Trustees, CIArb, UK
Member, Academic Council, Thailand Arbitration Centre’s Academy (THACA)
Member, Advisory Board, Mauritius International Arbitration Centre (MIAC)
Member, Advisory Board, Indonesia International Arbitration Center (INIAC)
Member, Rules Revision Committee (RAC) of the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA)
Publications
Co-Editor of the ‘MENA Leading Arbitrators’ Guide to International Arbitration’, Juris Publishing (Forthcoming 2022).
“Rethinking Issue Conflict in ISDS: Inform, Reform, or Deform?”, The Future of ISDS, Kluwer Law International (Forthcoming 2023).
“Counterclaims in Investment Awards: Divergent Trends and Turning Tides” in Katia Fach Gómez and Catharine Titi, The Award In International Investment Arbitration, Oxford University Press (Forthcoming 2023).
“What changes have occurred from the perspective of an arbitrator in a Post COVID World?” in Chaira Giorgetti and Makane Mbengue (eds.), International litigation after COVID (Forthcoming 2023).
“The ODR Universe: Past, Present and Future” in International Arbitration Review of the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (Forthcoming 2023).
“Welcome to the Future: The AI Arbitrator - An Unwelcomed Reality or Science Fiction?” in Stavros Brekoulakis and Romesh Weeramantry (eds.), International Arbitration: Whose is it Anyway? Liber Amicorum of Julian Lew KC, Kluwer Law Publishing (Forthcoming 2023).
-Co-author with Dr. Kabir Duggal and Dr. Harald Sippel (eds.) “Force majeure and hardship in the MENA Region”, JurisNet LLC publication (2023).
Co-author with Dr. Waleed El Nemr, “Applying FIDIC Contracts in Egypt” in Dr. Donald Charrett, FIDIC Contracts in Africa and the Middle East: A Practical Guide to Application (2023).
“Good Faith in Investor–State Arbitration: Is there Room for a Positive Basis to Claims and Good Pack Hunting” in ASA Special Publication on Good Faith in International Arbitration (2023)
Co-author with Dr. Kabir Duggal “Two Giants, Hidden in Plain Sight: The Resurgence of the Unified Arab Investment Agreement and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation Investment Agreement”, International Investment Law and Arbitration Series, Brill (2022).
“The Protection Equilibrium in ISDS: Strategic Considerations and Realistic Expectations in Times of Crisis and Beyond”, in P. Lorfing and Y. Leveshova (eds.), Balancing the Protection of Foreign Investors and States’ Responses in the (Post) Pandemic World (2022).
“Evidence in Construction disputes: Guiding General Principles”, in A. Rouqette and T. Pröstler (eds.), International Construction Disputes (2022)
“Party-Appointed Experts in International Commercial Arbitration”, in F. Ferrari and F. Rosenfeld (eds.), Handbook on Evidence In International Commercial Arbitration. (2022)
“Al-Maqasid Al-Shar’iyah and Substantive Principles of Islamic Shari’ah: Considerations for Islamic Finance Disputes and Shari’ah-Based Arbitrations”, Special Issue of Transnational Dispute Management on Islamic Finance and Dispute Resolution. (December 2021)“Itisaluna and Others v Iraq The OIC Agreement Conundrum: Consent to ICSID Arbitration and the MFN Clauses Saga”, ICSID Review. (October 2021)
“Petroleum Concessions in Egypt: A Recipe for Disputes?”, Special Issue of BCDR Review on Oil and Gas Arbitration in the Middle East. (October 2021)
-Co-Editor with Prof. Dr. Maxi Scherer and Ms. Niuscha Bassiri of “International Arbitration and the COVID-19 Revolution”, Kluwer International, October 2020.
“Exculpating the Fear to Virtually Hear – A Proposed Pathway to Virtual Hearing Considerations in International Arbitrations”, 13(2) NYSBA New York Dispute Resolution Lawyer, Summer 2020, Vol. 13(2) p.18-24.
“What if parties don’t agree on a virtual hearing? A pandemic pathway by Mohamed S. Abdel Wahab”, Arbitration News, Global Arbitration Review, 6 May 2020.
“ICSID’s Relevance for Africa: a Symbiotic Bond Beyond Time” in M. Mbengue (ed.) Africa and the ICSID Dispute Resolution System, the ICSID Review, (ICSID Review, Foreign Investment Law Journal, Vol. 34, No. 2 (2019), Oxford University Press, 25 April 2020), p.519-541.
“Reflections on the Principle of Good Faith: Variants, Derivatives and Related Issues in MENA Region Jurisdictions”, NYSBA New York Dispute Resolution Lawyer, Spring 2020, Vol. 13(1). p. 29-32.
“Judicial Review and Reasoning of Arbitral Awards Perspectives from Africa and the Arab World”, ICC Dossier XVIII: Reasoning in Arbitration, (2020)
“Diversity, Legitimacy, Innovation and the Future of International Arbitration”, 2019, 19(3) ICC Dispute Resolution Bulletin 2019, 19(3), Commentary.
“Investment Arbitration: An Update on Egypt” in J. Fouret (ed.) Enforcement of Investment Treaty Arbitration Awards: A Global Guide (2020), Globe Business Publishing (2021)
“Costs in International Arbitration: The Devil’s Sea – Navigating through the Perils of Scylla and Charybdis” in J. Kalicki and M. Abdel Raouf (eds.), Evolution and Adaptation: The Future of International Arbitration, ICCA Congress Series No. 20 (October 2019), p.465 - 503.
“Interim and Provisional Measures in ICISD Investment Arbitration”, in G. Alvarez, J. Fouret and R. Gerbay (eds.), The ICSID Convention, Rules and Regulations: A Practical Commentary (2019).
“Extension of Arbitration Agreements to Third Parties 2.0: Deconstruction, Evolution and Reconsideration”, Chapter in Conflict of Laws in International Arbitration edited by Franco Ferrari and Stefan Kroll. (August 2019)
“The Nuts and Bolts of Construction Arbitration in the MENA: An Extended Update”, in Stavros Brekoulakis and David Brynmor Thomas (eds.) “The Guide to Construction Arbitration”, GAR Guide to Construction Arbitration (November 2019).
“The Applicable Law(s) and Tribunal Powers”, in M. Abdel Wahab and G. Blanke (eds.), MENA Leading Arbitrators’ Guide to International Arbitration, Juris Publishing.
-Co-author with N. Comair-Obeid “Arbitrating Islamic Finance Disputes”, in M. Abdel Wahab and G. Blanke (eds.), MENA Leading Arbitrators’ Guide to International Arbitration, Juris Publishing (Forthcoming 2021).
-Co-author with G. Blanke “Investment Arbitration”, in M. Abdel Wahab and G. Blanke (eds.), MENA Leading Arbitrators’ Guide to International Arbitration, Juris Publishing.
“The Nuts and Bolts of Construction Arbitration in the MENA: An Extended Update”, in Stavros Brekoulakis and David Brynmor Thomas (eds.) “The Guide to Construction Arbitration”, GAR Guide to Construction Arbitration (2019).
“Cultural Considerations in Advocacy: The Arab World - A Recast”, GAR Guide to Advocacy, Fourth Edition, Law Business Research 2019.
“The Nuts and Bolts of Construction Arbitration in the MENA: An Update”, in Stavros Brekoulakis and David Brynmor Thomas (eds.) “The Guide to Construction Arbitration”, GAR Guide to Construction Arbitration (2018).
“Revolutionizing Technologies and the Use of Technology in International Arbitration: Innovation, Legitimacy, Prospects and Challenges”, Mohamed Abdel Wahab and Ethan Katsh, Chapter in Arbitration in the Digital Age edited by Christian Aschauer and Maud Piers, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2018).
“Essays on Private International Law”, (2017), (Cairo University Press, Cairo).
“The Nuts and Bolts of Construction Arbitration in the MENA: Principles and Practice”, in Stavros Brekoulakis and David Brynmor Thomas (eds.) “The Guide to Construction Arbitration”, GAR Guide to Construction Arbitration (2017).
“Ascertaining the Content of the Applicable Law in International Arbitration – Converging Civil and Common Law Approaches”, Special Issue of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (CIArb) Arbitration Journal, (2017).
“The Chilling Effect of Brexit on Choice of Law and Arbitration in the United Kingdom: Practical Reflections between Aggravation and Alleviation”, forthcoming Special Issue of the Journal of International Arbitration (2016).
“Investment Arbitration: The Chronicles of Egypt – A Perilous Path to Pass”, “Egypt: A Case Study”, Special Issue, the Journal of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Sweet & Maxwell November 2016.
“The “Deemed” Internationalisation of Arbitration under Egyptian Arbitration Law No. 27 of 1994 – Considerations Beyond Hope and Fear”, Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution, International Arbitration Review, Volume 3, September 2016.
“Investment Arbitration: Egypt” in J. Fouret (ed.), Enforcement of Investment Treaty Arbitration Awards: A Global Guide (2015), Globe Business Publishing 2015. P.201 -223.
“Iura Novit Arbiter: The Known Unknown”, in Festschrift Ahmed Sadek El-Kosheri, Kluwer Law International (2015).
“Enforcement of Investment Treaty Arbitration Awards in Egypt: Issues & Challenges”, Chapter in the “Enforcement of Investment Treaty Arbitration Awards”, edited by Julien Fouret, Global Law & Business (2014).
“A Review of the Arab Investment Treaty”, 19 Journal of World Arbitration, Lebanon (July 2013).
“Review of new IBA Rules on Taking of Evidence in International Arbitration”, 15 Journal of World Arbitration, Lebanon (July 2012).
“Arbitration and Investment in the Mediterranean Area: A Panoramic View of a Med- Arb (Mediterranean Arbitrator)”, IEMed Mediterranean Yearbook Med 2012, (March 2012).
“The Law Applicable to Technology Transfer Contracts and Egyptian Conflict of Laws: A Triumph of Nationalism over Internationalism?” 12 Yearbook of Private International Law, 2010.
Practice Areas
Civil law
Jurisdictions include: Bahrain, Egypt, France, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and UAE
Common law
Jurisdictions include: United Kingdom, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan.
International law (Public and Private)
Investment Arbitration
Commercial Arbitration
Construction & Infrastructure
Online Dispute Resolution
Joint Ventures / M&A
Energy & Natural Resources
Islamic law
Jurisdictions include: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.
International Trade and Finance
Agency/Distribution/Franchising
Insurance
Telecommunications & Artificial Intelligence
Tourism and Leisure
Languages Spoken
Arabic (Mother Tongue)
English (Fluent)
French (Very good working knowledge)
Education
Manchester University, UK
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
2001 - 2004
Manchester University, UK
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Comparative Conflict of Laws – Transferred to PhD in 2001.
2000 - 2001
Cairo University, Egypt
LLM in International Law.
1998 - 2000
Cairo University, Egypt
Licence en Droit. (LLB Equivalent) (Ranked 1st – among more than 4000 students)
1994 - 1998
King’s College London, UK (Centre of European Law)
Intensive Course on European Union Law
2002 - 2002
Awards
Client Choice Award for International Arbitration.
Client Choice Award (in association with Lexology)
2021
The Arbitration Personality
LACIAC (Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre)
2019
First African Personality of the Month (June 2018).
Africa Arbitration
2018
Honour
Jordanian Arbitrators’ Association and the Jordanian Construction Contractors Syndicate
2019
ASA International Arbitration Advocacy Prize
ASA
2018
Honour as the best law graduate in Egypt
Egyptian President
1998
Most Inspiring Law Academic
The LAW Magazine
2022
Chambers Review
Global
Mohamed Abdel Wahab is one of the best-known arbitration lawyers in Egypt. His practice combines expert witness and arbitrator appointments with regular roles as counsel on significant and high-profile cases, and he receives especially high praise for his expertise in oil and gas and construction disputes.
Mohamed Abdel Wahab is a leading arbitrator and arbitration counsel based in Cairo. He is very highly respected for his international commercial and investment treaty practice. As an arbitrator, he frequently presides over disputes concerning construction, energy and infrastructure issues.
Mohamed Abdel Wahab is one of the best-known arbitration lawyers in Egypt. His practice combines expert witness and arbitrator appointments with regular roles as counsel on significant and high-profile cases, and he receives especially high praise for his expertise in oil and gas and construction disputes.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Mohamed is the crème de la crème in the field and someone who impresses with his unmatched mastery of complex legal issues across various legal systems and sectors."
"He is always well prepared and doesn't leave any stone unturned."
"It's very impressive how he's always on-point, engaged and on top of things."
"He's very much hands-on and anticipates the issues."
"He's outstanding in every way."
"Mohamed Abdel Wahab is someone who is very brilliant and technically capable. He is very smart on the law, but also emotionally intelligent as well."
"Mohamed is the crème de la crème in the field and someone who impresses with his unmatched mastery of complex legal issues across various legal systems and sectors."
"He is always well prepared and doesn't leave any stone unturned."
"It's very impressive how he's always on-point, engaged and on top of things."
"He's very much hands-on and anticipates the issues."
"He's outstanding in every way."
"Mohamed Abdel Wahab is someone who is very brilliant and technically capable. He is very smart on the law, but also emotionally intelligent as well."
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Zulficar & Partners
Africa-wide
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Key Sectors
Provided by Zulficar & Partners
Energy and Utilities
Insurance
Property, Construction and Infrastructure
Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT)
Leisure and Hospitality