Rovine Chandrasekera

Practice Areas

Rovine is an experienced international arbitration and commercial litigation partner with extensive experience advising clients on disputes with a focus on the Middle East. He helps to resolve disputes relating to fraud, asset recovery, sanctions and cross-border enforcement.

Rovine has been involved in some of the most high-profile fraud, sanctions and asset recovery cases in the Middle East over the past 15 years. He is recognised as one of the leading international lawyers dealing with disputes in the Iraqi market and is well known to be a go to lawyer in relation to marine fraud and sanctions.

Rovine remains focused on disputes with a Middle Eastern link whether litigated in the UK, Dubai or the Gulf Corporation Council (CGC) region. He has extensive experience in bringing cases in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC). Whilst based in London he travels extensively to the Dubai region for his clients.

Career

Rovine spent 28 years at Stephenson Harwood, initially with stints in the London and Singapore offices. He was then managing partner of the Dubai office between 2012-2020. Rovine returned to London in 2020 and was global head of International Arbitration between 2020-2025. He joined Stewarts in August 2025.

Professional Memberships

CEDR accredited mediator

Personal

Rovine is a keen golfer (albeit more Happy Gilmore than Tiger Woods), Harlequins follower and part time chauffeur to three children.