Dispute Resolution | Global

Freshfields offers a dynamic regional disputes practice with respected teams in Saudi Arabia and the UAE supported by Middle Eastern expertise located throughout the firm's global network. The firm possesses a pre-eminent arbitration team with especially strong capabilities in construction disputes. It represents global entities in disputes arising from regional projects, especially with regard to energy matters, while finance is another sector that generates work for the team.

A&O Shearman is a well-respected law firm which is a significant presence in regional arbitration and is a major player in DIFC litigation. It is especially noted for its experience handling financial services and securities disputes, frequently representing major global investment banks. On the arbitration side, the firm is also active on investment treaty claims, and has a strong track record representing Middle Eastern states.

Clifford Chance is known throughout the Middle East for its well-established and highly experienced disputes team in Dubai. The department advises a range of clients, including leading banks and government agencies. It receives the highest praise for its handling of matters within the UAE but also possesses experience of cases originating throughout the GCC. It remains a well-recognised presence in the DIFC Courts and is noted for its expertise in construction cases, and oil and gas disputes.

White & Case is known for its highly specialised construction disputes team, which acts for a number of key regional companies and government entities. The team also has a notable focus on disputes in the oil and gas sector. It acts on cases across the GCC, drawing upon the resources of offices in the UAE, Egypt and Qatar, as well as London.

Dentons has a diverse regional disputes practice undertaking a wide range of arbitration and litigation work. The team is especially noted for its skill in multi-jurisdictional construction disputes and is also acknowledged for its work in the oil and gas sector. The firm maintains a broad reach, with offices and local associations across the region, including in Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Herbert Smith Freehills has a broad disputes practice with strong capabilities in construction and real estate disputes. The team regularly handles DIFC Court litigation and also assists with region-wide arbitration matters. The firm has further experience in oil and gas disputes across the Middle East and is especially notable for its expertise in Iraq-related matters. It also possesses a highly regarded commercial disputes offering, with particular experience in joint venture cases.

Norton Rose Fulbright maintains an impressively experienced disputes team which is prominent in an array of contentious matters throughout the Middle East. The team advises clients from a range of sectors and typically handles region-spanning disputes from the UAE, supported by lawyers based in its London and Riyadh offices. In the UAE, the firm is known for its strong capabilities in corporate investigations and financial crime cases and demonstrates a growing strength in insurance disputes.

Reed Smith maintains a prominent dispute resolution practice in the Middle East. From the firm's offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the team is active on a range of matters throughout the region, but with a notable emphasis on the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It is noted for its standout strength in construction disputes as well as its growing expertise in cases arising from sanctions.