Ranking tables

Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators | Global

United Arab Emirates

This section covers international arbitration as well as litigation taking place within the financial free zones of the UAE, such as the DIFC and ADGM. The focus is on advocacy and advisory work pertaining to high-value commercial and financial services disputes. A lawyer’s appointments as an arbitrator are not relevant here, though firms may submit separately to the Dispute Resolution: Most In-Demand Arbitrators category if there are lawyers within their team they believe fit the description. Specialist areas of disputes work such as construction, shipping, insurance and employment litigation should be submitted to the corresponding UAE sections and are generally not considered relevant here (although there may occasionally be exceptions, where a case has broader commercial implications).

Rankings overview for Individuals

  1. Adrian Cole
    Adrian Cole Arbitra16 Years Ranked
  2. Alec Emmerson
    Alec Emmerson Arbitra21 Years Ranked
  3. Ali Al Aidarous
    Ali Al Aidarous Al Aidarous Advocates & Legal Consultants15 Years Ranked
  4. Lara Hammoud
    Lara Hammoud Arbitra3 Years Ranked
  5. Mahmood Hussain
    Mahmood Hussain M&CO Legal6 Years Ranked
  6. Victor Leginsky
    Victor Leginsky Arbitralis ADR FZ LLE5 Years Ranked
  7. Ahmed IbrahimIbrahim ADR
  8. Alain FarhadFarhad Arbitration
  9. Anne K HoffmannHoffmann Arbitration
  10. Anneliese Day KCFountain Court Chambers
  11. Gordon BlankeBlanke Arbitration
  12. Karim J NassifNassif Arbitration
  13. Michael Black KCNewmans Row
  14. Nicholas Fletcher KC4 New Square Chambers

All Individuals profiles

Spotlight

  1. Adrian Cole
    Adrian Cole
    Arbitra
    Arbitra | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight | 16 Years Ranked
    Adrian Cole has extensive experience in construction disputes and is regarded as one of the leading disputes lawyers in the UAE. Now operating as a full-time arbitrator, he has a flourishing practice and is widely agreed to be one of the go-to names in his field.
  2. Alec Emmerson
    Alec Emmerson
    Arbitra
    Arbitra | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight | 21 Years Ranked

    Alec Emmerson is a highly recognisable name for international arbitration in the UAE. He frequently acts as sole arbitrator in highly significant cases. His long-standing practice spans more than four decades and covers the full gamut of dispute resolution.

  3. Ali Al Aidarous
    Ali Al Aidarous
    Al Aidarous Advocates & Legal Consultants
    Al Aidarous Advocates & Legal Consultants | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight | 15 Years Ranked
    Ali Al Aidarous is an esteemed Emirati lawyer who frequently acts as arbitrator in arbitrations held under the auspices of institutions such as the DIAC.
  4. Lara Hammoud
    Lara Hammoud
    Arbitra
    Arbitra | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight | 3 Years Ranked
    Lara Hammoud is a prominent arbitrator with a depth of knowledge in construction, energy and technology disputes. She is well known in the market and has extensive experience acting on a wide variety of disputes.
  5. Mahmood Hussain
    Mahmood Hussain
    M&CO Legal
    M&CO Legal | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight | 6 Years Ranked

    Mahmood Hussain is the founding partner of M&CO Legal. He is recognised for his work as an international commercial arbitrator in a variety of sectors such as energy, finance and telecoms.

  6. Victor Leginsky
    Victor Leginsky
    Arbitralis ADR FZ LLE | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight | 5 Years Ranked
    Victor Leginsky is a veteran lawyer with a long history of appearances as chair, party-appointed arbitrator and sole arbitrator in major breach of contract cases. He has particular experience relating to real estate and construction disputes but has also overseen a wealth of matters in other industries.
  7. Ahmed Ibrahim
    Ibrahim ADR | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight
  8. Alain Farhad
    Farhad Arbitration | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight
  9. Anne K Hoffmann
    Hoffmann Arbitration | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight
  10. Anneliese Day KC
    Fountain Court Chambers | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight
  11. Gordon Blanke
    Blanke Arbitration | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight
  12. Karim J Nassif
    Nassif Arbitration | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight
  13. Michael Black KC
    Newmans Row | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight
  14. Nicholas Fletcher KC
    4 New Square Chambers | Dispute Resolution: Most in Demand Arbitrators
    2026 | Spotlight