This will be conducted in English and according to Dubai local time. 

Legal Plus Premium is excited to be coming to Dubai again for our annual event.  The UAE: 10th International Arbitration & ADR Summit — Dubai is scheduled on Thu 24 April 2025 at Shangri-La Dubai Hotel.  

Join us for a full day of sharing and discussions by a group of local and international experts, it will be a great platform to learn the latest changes and trends that may affect your business in the current business environment.  Topics in discussion include but not limited to disputes in the construction, energy and technology sector, panel discussions on arbitration v mediation, monetizing and enforceing awards, expedite and emergency procedures in international arbitration and many more.  For more details about the program, please click here for more details. Download

The event will not only provide update information but it’s will also be a great opportunity to ask questions to leading local and global experts, network and create business opportunities and maybe make some new friends! We look forward to meeting you there so please put the date into your schedule today!!

Registration is now open.  We are offering complimentary pass to in-house legal professional (non law/consulting firm only) and discounted rate iis also available for law / consulting firms.  For more information, please refer to the registration below. 

If you are interested to sponsor or speak at the event, contact Jason at jason.sinclair@legalplus-asia.com for package details.  For registrations details, contact Bettina at legalpluseventsasia@legalplus-asia.com.

Program
The organiser reserves the right to change the program without prior notice.

• Welcome Message by Chairman
  Paul Key KC, Essex Court Chambers London
• Opening Message by Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
  Jehad Abdulrazzaq Kazim, Executive Director, Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
• Keynote Session
  
• Investor State Dispute Settlement in International Construction Projects
  
• 1st Grand Panel: Art of Negotiation: Tactical Issues in Why Arbitration, Why Mediation and Why Not?
  Moderator: Leonora Riesenburg, Independent Chartered Arbitrator and Accredited Mediator, INTADR DMCC
  Panellist:
  • Yulia Barnes, Managing Partner, Barnes Law
• Managing Cross-border Disputes With Chinese Companies Debunking the Myth of Arbitration In Construction Disputes: To Arbitrate or Not to Arbitrate
  Moderator: Nour Abi Rashed, Associate Triumph & Co.
  Panellist: Paul Kelly, Senior Claims Consultant, Triumph & Co.
• 2nd Grand Panel: Construction Disputes in The Midde East: Expert Witness, Damages, Quantum & Supply Chain Issues
  Moderator: Simon Hughes KC, Keating Chambers
  Panellists:
  • Julian Cohen, Arbitrator & Barrister, Resolution Chambers
  • Sean Hugo, Partner, CBBG Group
  • Vikki Wall, Partner, Accounting Valuation Experts (AVE)
• 3rd Grand Panel: Enforcement & Invalidity of Awards: Understanding Arbitration Clauses & Monetising an Award — Regional Issues to Consider
  Moderator: TBC
  Panellists:
  • Céline Abi Habib Kanakri, Partner & Co-Head, Dispute Resolution Practice, BLK Partners
  • Marcus Khoury, Head of Legal, Averda
  • Nesreen Osman, Partner, Pinsent Masons
• 4th Grand Panel: Energy Charter Treaty, ESG, LNG, Pricing and Compliance: Avoiding Inevitable Disputes and Understanding Changes of Circumstances
  Moderator: Rashda Rana SC, Rana Chambers
  Panellist:
  • Christian P. Alberti, Chief of ADR and General Counsel, Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA)
• Cross-border Shareholders, Stakeholders & Director Disputes – Best Practices and Tips for Inhouse Counsels
  
• Fireside Chat – A Quick Overview on Top Tips in Preparing for an Arbitration From a GC/Company Perspective in the Middle East
  • Victor Leginsky, Independent Arbitrator, Arbitralis
  • Arran Dowling Hussey, Barrister, 4-5 Grays Inn Square 
• 5th Grand Panel: Technology Disputes 2025: Digital Assets & Tracing, Rise of AI, & Investigations/Fraud Issues
  Moderator: TBC
  Panellist:
  • Robert Lewsley, Senior Legal Counsel, Standard Chartered Bank
• Closing Remarks & Lucky draw
• Networking cocktail at ikandy ultralounge (Shangri-La Hotel)

Speakers

Paul Key, KC, Chairman

Essex Court Chambers London

Paul Key K.C. is recognised as one of the leading QCs at the English Commercial Bar. He has particular expertise and specialism in arbitration, both international commercial arbitration and investment treaty arbitration (including ICSID). He also regularly appears in arbitration-related Court matters, including appearing in the English Supreme Court in Jivraj v Hashwani. He has been ranked in the toptier (band 1) rankings for arbitration for over 10 years and has consistently been identified as one of the leading figures in that field (“a real arbitration expert”, “few can rival his expertise, ability and knowledge in the field of arbitration”, “the first port of call for important arbitration disputes”, “an arbitration guru”). He has appeared as advocate in over 300 major international arbitrations worldwide, as well as appearing regularly before the English Courts (at all levels) and foreign Courts on arbitration matters. In addition to his extensive experience in international commercial arbitration, he is one of the very few English QCs to have real expertise in investment arbitration. He has been lead counsel in a very large number of BIT / investment arbitrations, acting both for and against States. He is Visiting Professor in international arbitration law at King’s College, London, and has lectured and published widely in this field. He has been a longstanding representative of the UK on the ILA International Commercial Arbitration Committee and is also a delegate for the UNCITRAL Working Group on Arbitration.

Biography

Jehad Abdulrazzaq Kazim, Welcome Message

Executive Director, Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)

Jehad is the first Executive Director of Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) and the first Emirati woman to assume a leadership position in the largest arbitration centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. Drawing on a wealth of knowledge gained from over 22 years of experience in the legal and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) fields, Jehad has played an instrumental role in building and executing DIAC’s forward thinking strategy. Under her proactive and dynamic leadership, the Centre strives to enhance the efficiency of its operations, optimize its performance and improve its ADR services through business excellence, stakeholder engagement and innovation. Prior to joining DIAC, Jehad was the Vice-President of the Legal Affairs Sector of Dubai Chambers where she oversaw the entire legal function of the Chambers and its international offices around the world. She played a key role in providing broad strategic guidance and legal support to the Dubai Chambers and its stakeholders on wide spectrum of matters including legislation, dispute resolution, corporate governance and policy advocacy in line with Dubai Chambers’ vision and strategic objectives. Jehad holds an LL.M in Business Law from University of Hertfordshire, UK and LL.B in Shari’a & Law from the U.A.E. University. A seasoned negotiator with ability to negotiate in a wide range of business contexts, Jehad has successfully completed Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation. She is a graduate of Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Leadership Development and Cranfield School of Management’s Executive Leadership Development Programme and a Certified Board Director, accredited by Hawkamah and Mudara- Institute of Directors. Previously, Jehad has served as an Assessor for the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award and as a Judge for the Oath Middle East Legal Awards. Jehad is the first Emirati woman on the Board of Directors of DIAC and she has served as a Member of the Board of Dubai Women Establishment, a women centric establishment dedicated to leverage Emirati women’s potential and active participation in various aspects of economy and society.

Biography

Leonora Riesenburg, Moderator — 1st Grand Panel

Independent Chartered Arbitrator and Accredited Mediator, INTADR DMCC

Leonora Riesenburg is an Independent Chartered Arbitrator and Accredited Mediator at INTADR DMCC, Dubai, and an International Tenant at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square in London. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), a Fellow of Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution (AIADR), and stands as a leading figure in international arbitration, mediation and adr in Middle East, Asia, and the UK. Leonora specialises in complex disputes across key sectors, notably in investment, infrastructure, construction, real estate, joint ventures, banking and finance, and receives routine Chairmanship appointments. Her affiliations with prestigious arbitral institutions—among them the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, DIAC, ADCCAC, SCCA, MIAC, AIADR—further solidify her standing as a leading figure in international arbitration. Leonora’s leadership is reflected in her previous roles as Branch Chair of CIArb UAE, as an Elected Member of the Board of Management for CIArb London, and member of DIFC Courts Arbitration Division Working Group. She is a member of LCIA Arabs Users’ Council and a member of the Swiss Arbitration Association. Leonora is a highly in demand faculty member for the CIArb globally and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in the MENA Region and in the UK, playing a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of dispute resolution practitioners. Her global influence extends through her service with leading institutions worldwide, including in Asia, the Governing Council of the Hyderabad Arbitration Centre (HAC) in India as well as the Global Advisory Panel for Musaliha International Centre for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (MICADR) in Pakistan.

Biography

Simon Hughes KC, Moderator — 2nd Grand Panel

Keating Chambers

Simon Hughes KC is a specialist silk in major construction, engineering, shipbuilding and other off-shore and energy related disputes was recently awarded “Construction and Energy Silk of the Year” for 2019 by the Legal 500. He comes recommended for his client-focused approach, understanding of the technicalities of disputes and his “exceptional” advocacy, cross-examination, and advice. Simon has been fortunate to have acted on some of the largest, and most challenging, heavy civil engineering disputes of the day (including a great deal of highway/highway infrastructure and associated geotechnical work). He is ranked in the ‘Star’ category in Chambers & Partners for Construction and is also in the very top ranking in Chambers & Partners (Band 1) for International Arbitration. There are only few silks with these dual top-ranking and this reflects Simon’s stellar practice for major clients and leading law firms. Simon has been ranked in Who’s Who’s Legal as a Thought Leader in Construction and recommended in Arbitration and Construction. Simon has substantial experience of conducting large arbitration in, or for clients based in, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and more broadly within south east Asia. Simon’s practice is typically major infrastructure or energy project-based problems on live matters or arbitrations.

Biography

Rashda Rana SC, Moderator- 4th Grand Panel

Rana Chambers

Rashda is a commercial/construction law Silk with extensive experience in international legal practice, covering procurement and the full life cycle of large-scale construction/infrastructure and energy projects: establishing the procurement strategy, structuring the appropriate contract, negotiation, review and managing the entire contractual process, including dealing with external counsel. She has experience in both non-contentious and litigation/arbitration matters, having been intimately involved in the drafting and negotiation of a variety of standard forms of contract (such as NEC, JCT, FIDIC etc) as well as bespoke forms of contracts incorporating FEED, financing, design, construction, engineering & infrastructure, energy (gas, water, electricity & nuclear) and technology (Data Centres, fintech, banking). She has developed and implemented compliance and governance structures in construction and energy entities, ensuring that good practices are embedded throughout the organisation, training all levels of the business as well as undertaking inquiries into breaches of company policies (ethics and misconduct) and making recommendations. Rashda has been regularly recognised for her work by a variety of industry bodies.

Biography

Julian Cohen

Arbitrator & Barrister, Resolution Chambers

Julian has 30 years of specialist experience of heavyweight international, and domestic, disputes. Sums in dispute in his cases vary from small to in excess of USD 2 billion. In addition to acting as counsel, he also regularly sits as an arbitrator. Julian has over 10 years’ experience in the MENA region, including 2 years based full time in Dubai, and an ongoing long-term commitment to the region. Julian has been involved in projects and disputes in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Oman, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Benin, Sierra Leone and Mali. Julian was called to the Bar in England & Wales in 1990. He was with Pinsent Masons’ Construction Disputes practice in London and Hong Kong from 1993 to 2009. He left Pinsent Masons as a partner in 2009, and was called to the Bar in Hong Kong in 2010. Julian is particularly well known for his heavy weight practice in relation to the Construction and Engineering sectors, the Energy, Oil and Gas sectors and International and domestic arbitrations.

Biography

Paul Kelly

Senior Claims Consultant, Triumph & Co.

Paul, an MRICS, MCIArb, and MCIOB member, has over 15 years of experience in the construction industry, specializing in dispute resolution, cost management, and commercial advisory across the MEA region. He has advised international clients on quantum claims, contract documentation, and dispute avoidance, representing them in high-profile arbitrations under ICC, DIAC, ADCCAC, and DIFC-LCIA rules.

Biography

Nour Abi Rashed

Associate, Triumph & Co.

Nour is a trilingual lawyer (English, French, Arabic) with an LLM from King’s College London and a Master’s from Assas University, Paris. Currently preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination in England and Wales, she specializes in arbitration and dispute resolution. As a member of the arbitration practice, she has worked extensively on cases before DIAC, ICC, ArbitrateAD, and QICCA, focusing on construction disputes and large claims.

Biography

Sean Hugo

Partner, CBBG Group

Sean, a Partner at CBBG Group, brings to the table extensive expertise as a Testified Delay and Disruption Expert. His proficiency spans the specialized domains of delay and disruption analysis. Prior to assuming this role, Sean held key project-based positions, including Site Engineer, Project Manager, Project Controls Manager, and Planning Manager, on complicated projects. Sean has significant EPC experience in Oil and Gas in both a dispute setting and practical work experience. As an Independent Delay and Disruption Expert, Sean has been entrusted with drafting numerous expert reports, testifying and undergoing cross examination, offering unbiased opinions on construction project delay and disruption. He is wellversed in adhering to the best practice protocols outlined in AACE International Recommended Practice No. 29R-03 and the SCL Delay and Disruption Protocol. Additionally, Sean has undergone formal training in expert witness testimony and advanced cross-examination techniques. Sean’s expertise has been recognized through his appointments as an independent delay/disruption expert under the arbitration rules of ICC, DIAC, QICCA, and LCIA. His contributions in this capacity have led to him being recognized by WWL under the category of Arbitration Future Leaders – Expert Witnesses.

Biography

Céline Abi Habib Kanakri

Partner & Co-Head, Dispute Resolution Practice, BLK Partners

Yulia Barnes

Managing Partner, Barnes Law

Yulia Barnes is our Managing Partner and an experienced solicitor of more than 20 years. She specialises in commercial and corporate law, dispute resolution and corporate governance for commercial clients and high net-worth individuals. Yulia first qualified in Russia, before then qualifying in England and Wales. Following this, she worked at a large international law firm, before becoming a partner at a regional law firm heading up the Dispute Resolution department. Yulia’s career then took her in-house, before she decided to start Barnes Law, her own boutique practice, with the aim of providing exclusive services to HNW individuals and privately-owned businesses in 2018. Yulia’s practice is wide spanning, but she has particularly extensive experience in commercial litigation and contentious trusts, as well as regularly advising on M&A deals. Yulia and the wider Barnes Law team are recognised for their strong awareness and skills across the broad spectrum of both commercial and corporate law. Yulia takes a practical and professional approach to all matters and is dedicated to ensuring clients’ objectives are achieved in the most cost-effective way possible. She prides herself on her problem-solving, her commercial acumen and project management skills, while being robust in negotiation. Yulia brings a personal touch to every case and immerses herself in all her clients’ businesses to gain a deep understanding of their position and the best approach to achieve their strategic objectives. This has led her to be recognised as a leading professional in her field. In her spare time Yulia enjoys sailing, hiking and theatre.

Biography

Nesreen Osman

Pinsent Masons

Nesreen is a Partner in our Dubai office with 15 years’ disputes experience specialising in construction and engineering disputes. Nesreen acts on behalf of employers, main contractors, subcontractors and consultants. Nesreen has advised client from various parts of the world including the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Pakistan, India, China, Japan and South Korea. She has extensive experience in international arbitration in the infrastructure and energy sectors. Nesreen has advised in relation to disputes relating to contract interpretation, variations, payment, delay and disruption, defective works, suspension of works and termination of contracts and professional negligence. Nesreen’s disputes experience also covers a broad range of other sectors including commercial developments, residential developments, PFI/PPP projects for schools and hospitals as well as EPC projects for heavy industries. Nesreen has advised clients in respect of major construction and engineering disputes in arbitration under the rules of various arbitration centres such as ICC, DIAC, DIFC-LCIA and ADCCAC in the majority of the GCC countries as well as the wider Middle East. A significant portion of Nesreen’s time is also spent advising clients on managing negotiations and alternative means of resolving disputes with the aim of reaching extra-judicial settlement (including mediation and expert determination). Nesreen was ranked as a Next Generation Partner in the Legal 500 EMEA rankings for UAE Construction.

Biography

Vikki Wall

Partner, Accounting Valuation Experts (AVE)

Vikki Wall is a Partner and co-founder of AVE, a forensic accounting boutique, and an experienced testifying expert witness. Vikki specialises in evaluating quantum, typically company or asset valuations, loss of profit and wasted costs claims in commercial, contractual, transactional and investment treaty disputes. Vikki has been a forensic chartered accountant for over 25 years and has worked on more than 100 cases, giving oral testimony in international and UK litigation and arbitration proceedings, including being appointed as expert in arbitration under ICC, LCIA, PCA, UNCITRAL, ICSID, QICCA, SCC, HKIAC and DIAC rules. Vikki has extensive experience in all aspects of dispute work in the construction industry and across a wide range of further industries including IT, leisure and travel. Vikki has a first class mathematics degree from Leeds and Paris Jussieu universities and initially trained as a chartered accountant and auditor. Vikki is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales and past chair of its Forensic and Expert Witness Community advisory panel.

Biography

Victor P. Leginsky

International Arbitrator, Arbitralis

Victor P. Leginsky, Canadian citizen, is an experienced international arbitrator and mediator resident in the United Arab Emirates since 2007. Victor has earned the internationally-recognized designations of Chartered Arbitrator and Fellow from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and is appointed to the CIArb Panel of Arbitrators. Victor is a CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution, London) accredited mediator and mediation experience as Chair, Manufactured Home Park Dispute Resolution Committee (Attorney General of British Columbia, Canada, appointment) and in mediations. Victor is appointed to the panels or lists of arbitrators in a number of international centres and is a committee member of the International Court of Arbitration (ICC) Canada. He has instructed and assessed in respect of Mediation though the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the CIArb. He is the past Middle East Regional Director of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN). He is a member in good standing of the Law Society of British Columbia, Canada.

Biography

Arran Dowling-Hussey

Barrister, 4‑5 Gray’s Inn Square

Arran Dowling-Hussey is a barrister, arbitrator and mediator practicing from chambers at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square, London. He is an adjunct professor of law at University College Cork and also at Gujarat Maritime University. Arran is an outgoing Trustee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (having served 2017- 2024) and a member of the Council of the Society of Construction Law. He cowrote 3 editions of ‘Arbitration Law’ which has been cited and approved by the Irish Superior Courts. Arran is called to the Bar in Belfast, British Virgin Islands, Dublin, London and is part 2 registered with the DIFC Courts’ Register of Legal Practitioners in Dubai.

Biography

Marcus Khoury

Head of Legal, Averda

Marcus Antoine Khoury is Head of Legal at Averda. Marcus has been working as an inhouse legal counsel in the construction industry in the GCC, in particular in Saudi Arabia and in the UAE, for the past 20 years. He is both German and Lebanese and has graduated at the Sorbonne in Paris and the Universities of Cologne and Munich. In his spare time Marcus loves to hike and considers having walked more than 1000 km to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela as one of his greatest experiences.

Biography

Christian P. Alberti

Chief of ADR and General Counsel, Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA)

Christian P. Alberti is the Chief of ADR and General Counsel of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) and based in Riyadh and Dubai. Prior to joining the SCCA in 2019, he was the Assistant Vice President of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (AAA-ICDR). He taught as Adjunct Professor at New York University School of Law (NYU) on International Arbitration and International Sales Law between 2017 and 2019. He is a Member of the Global Advisory Board of the New York International Arbitration Center (NYIAC), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators as well as a member of various international ADR associations. He is certified to practice law in Germany and New York State.

Biography

Robert Lewsley

Senior Legal Counsel, Standard Chartered Bank

Robert is the Regional Head of Disputes and Government Investigations (Africa & Middle East) at Standard Chartered Bank. Robert studied law at the London School of Economics (2003, LLB Hons first class), was called to the Bar of England & Wales in 2004 and practised in London before moving to Dubai in 2009. He spent seven years in the arbitration team at Al Tamimi & Co. handling complex commercial disputes, and appeared regularly before the DIFC Courts and arbitral tribunals as an advocate. He joined Standard Chartered Bank in 2017. Robert has published widely, contributing articles to Global Arbitration Review, the International Arbitration Law Review, and chapters on the DIFC as a seat for arbitration.

Biography

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Registration Details

Complimentary Registration for in-house counsel

Complimentary Registration - Click Here

If you would like to apply for an in-house counsel complimentary ticket, please click here and fill in your details. Complimentary seat is applicable to in-house counsel from non law / consultancy firm only.  One complimentary seat per company, first-come-first-served. Results are based on the organiser’s discretion and applicants will be notified by email.