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10 May 2023
8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
About Us
For the first time in Qatar, Ciarb Qatar branch is pleased to host its first Ciarb Qatar Arbitration Conference & AGM.
With over 300 Arbitration practitioners expected to attend the Conference and AGM, don’t miss this unique and exclusive opportunity to meet existing and potential clients. The Conference is specifically designed for Ciarb members, arbitrators and Qatar’s legal community. The Conference will be held in English and Arabic (simultaneous translation).
Speakers
Dr. Nasser Al Adba
Chair, Ciarb Qatar
Managing Partner, Omani & Partners
Dr. Nasser Al-Adba is an accomplished and highly recognized lawyer in Qatar and MENA region, having practiced law extensively throughout the world. He specializes of major Corporate and Construction matters both litigation and ADR. Dr. Al-Adba practices also the fields of International Investment Law and International Trade, having been chosen for the World Trade Organization roster of panelists (WTO).
He is full time assistant Professor teaching the areas of Public International Law, ADR and Investment Arbitration at Qatar University (QU). Recently, Dr. Al-Adba is elected as the Chair of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Qatar Branch.
Academics:
• Ph.D. in International Investment Arbitration from University of Manchester, UK
• G.D.L. in International Negotiation, Mediation and Dispute settlement from Harvard Law School, USA
• L.L.M. from Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland
• L.L.B. Qatar University, Qatar.
Managing Partner, Omani & Partners
Dr. Nasser Al-Adba is an accomplished and highly recognized lawyer in Qatar and MENA region, having practiced law extensively throughout the world. He specializes of major Corporate and Construction matters both litigation and ADR. Dr. Al-Adba practices also the fields of International Investment Law and International Trade, having been chosen for the World Trade Organization roster of panelists (WTO).
He is full time assistant Professor teaching the areas of Public International Law, ADR and Investment Arbitration at Qatar University (QU). Recently, Dr. Al-Adba is elected as the Chair of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Qatar Branch.
Academics:
• Ph.D. in International Investment Arbitration from University of Manchester, UK
• G.D.L. in International Negotiation, Mediation and Dispute settlement from Harvard Law School, USA
• L.L.M. from Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland
• L.L.B. Qatar University, Qatar.
Saad Hegazy
Vice-Chair, Ciarb Qatar
Partner, Resolve International
Saad Hegazy has more than 18 years' experience. He is a testified delay and quantum expert, member of the Academy of Experts, expert determinator, arbitrator and CEDR accredited mediator based in the Middle East. He has lived and worked in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. His formal education includes a BSc in civil engineering, an MSc in strategic project management, and an LLM in construction law and international arbitration.
He has gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise on building and engineering projects including airports, metros, infrastructure, industrial, oil and gas, LNG, water treatment, utilities, luxury and high-rise buildings.
Saad has been instructed as party or tribunal appointed expert in arbitration proceedings under ICC, DIAC, QICCA, LCIA, and Adhoc rules as well as independent expert in litigation proceedings in matters involving large and complex projects with dispute values in excess of US$ 2bn. He has testified and been cross examined in both English and Arabic.
He is President of the AACE Qatar Branch, Vice-Chair of the ciarb Qatar Branch and previous ICC YAF MENA regional representative. He is a regular speaker at industry conferences, presenting topics such as disruption analysis, time risk management and methods of delay analysis, arbitration, mediation, role independent expert and conflict of interest.
Saad is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), Expert Witness and Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), CEDR Accredited Mediator and Arbitrator listed at ICC, ciarb, SCCA, QICCA, BDAC, AAC, and W&W rosters.
Partner, Resolve International
Saad Hegazy has more than 18 years' experience. He is a testified delay and quantum expert, member of the Academy of Experts, expert determinator, arbitrator and CEDR accredited mediator based in the Middle East. He has lived and worked in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. His formal education includes a BSc in civil engineering, an MSc in strategic project management, and an LLM in construction law and international arbitration.
He has gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise on building and engineering projects including airports, metros, infrastructure, industrial, oil and gas, LNG, water treatment, utilities, luxury and high-rise buildings.
Saad has been instructed as party or tribunal appointed expert in arbitration proceedings under ICC, DIAC, QICCA, LCIA, and Adhoc rules as well as independent expert in litigation proceedings in matters involving large and complex projects with dispute values in excess of US$ 2bn. He has testified and been cross examined in both English and Arabic.
He is President of the AACE Qatar Branch, Vice-Chair of the ciarb Qatar Branch and previous ICC YAF MENA regional representative. He is a regular speaker at industry conferences, presenting topics such as disruption analysis, time risk management and methods of delay analysis, arbitration, mediation, role independent expert and conflict of interest.
Saad is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), Expert Witness and Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), CEDR Accredited Mediator and Arbitrator listed at ICC, ciarb, SCCA, QICCA, BDAC, AAC, and W&W rosters.
HE. Sheikh Thani bin Ali Al Thani
Founder of Thani Bin Ali Al Thani Law Firm
• Holds a Ph. Degree in Commercial Law from Cairo University.
• Board Member for International Relations at the Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration.
• Member of the Qatari Lawyers Admission Committee - Ministry of Justice in Qatar.
• The Past Board Member at the Gulf Cooperation Countries Council Center for Commercial Arbitration (GCCCAC).
• The Past Member of the Court of Arbitration at the ICC International Chamber of Commerce in Paris representing the State of Qatar.
• Chair of Appeal Committee of the Qatari Anti-Doping.
• Chairman of the Commission for the Social Responsibility of Companies in Qatar – Dar Al Sharq.
• Accredited Arbitrator in International Commercial Arbitration before many International Arbitration centers.
• Visiting Instructors Dr. (College of Law - Qatar University Ahmed Bin Mohammed Military College
• The Center for Legal and Judicial Studies I College of Law - Lusail University).
• Has published extensively in the different branches of law.
• Has participated as speaker in a large number of conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.
• Legal Adviser and Attorney at law for several leading Qatari and International companies.
• Accredited Mediator at the QICDRC.
• Holds a Ph. Degree in Commercial Law from Cairo University.
• Board Member for International Relations at the Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration.
• Member of the Qatari Lawyers Admission Committee - Ministry of Justice in Qatar.
• The Past Board Member at the Gulf Cooperation Countries Council Center for Commercial Arbitration (GCCCAC).
• The Past Member of the Court of Arbitration at the ICC International Chamber of Commerce in Paris representing the State of Qatar.
• Chair of Appeal Committee of the Qatari Anti-Doping.
• Chairman of the Commission for the Social Responsibility of Companies in Qatar – Dar Al Sharq.
• Accredited Arbitrator in International Commercial Arbitration before many International Arbitration centers.
• Visiting Instructors Dr. (College of Law - Qatar University Ahmed Bin Mohammed Military College
• The Center for Legal and Judicial Studies I College of Law - Lusail University).
• Has published extensively in the different branches of law.
• Has participated as speaker in a large number of conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.
• Legal Adviser and Attorney at law for several leading Qatari and International companies.
• Accredited Mediator at the QICDRC.
Sultan Al-Abdulla
Managing Partner
Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners
Sultan is the founding member of the Firm. As part of his practice, he provides legal services to a wide rage of corporate and institutional clients.
Prior to establishing his practice in 1999, Sultan worked for Qatar Petroleum (QP) for 22 years.
During the last three years of his career with QP, he served as Managing Counsel and in this capacity represented the government of the State of Qatar and QP and its subsidiaries in major transactions as a lead negotiator.
In his private practice, Sultan has counseled and negotiated on behalf of local and multinational clients major business transactions and projects. However, he currently focuses
on litigation and arbitration matters.
As a litigator, he represents clients before all tiers of courts in Qatar up to the Court of Cassation. He is ranked in Band 1 and Tier 1 by major directories.
As part of his arbitration practice, he represented numerous entities in local and international arbitration matters. In addition, he frequently sits as a sole arbitrator or as part of a tribunal.
Moreover, he is frequently called to appear as a Qatari law expert before international arbitral tribunals.
Sultan was designated as an arbitrator on the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators for a period of six years with effect from May 2019. He was elected as a member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration for a 3-year term starting on July 1, 2021.
Sultan has and LLB degree from Beirut Arab University in Lebanon and an LLM degree in International and Comparative Law from Southern Methodist University, USA.
Sultan is fluent in Arabic and English.
Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners
Sultan is the founding member of the Firm. As part of his practice, he provides legal services to a wide rage of corporate and institutional clients.
Prior to establishing his practice in 1999, Sultan worked for Qatar Petroleum (QP) for 22 years.
During the last three years of his career with QP, he served as Managing Counsel and in this capacity represented the government of the State of Qatar and QP and its subsidiaries in major transactions as a lead negotiator.
In his private practice, Sultan has counseled and negotiated on behalf of local and multinational clients major business transactions and projects. However, he currently focuses
on litigation and arbitration matters.
As a litigator, he represents clients before all tiers of courts in Qatar up to the Court of Cassation. He is ranked in Band 1 and Tier 1 by major directories.
As part of his arbitration practice, he represented numerous entities in local and international arbitration matters. In addition, he frequently sits as a sole arbitrator or as part of a tribunal.
Moreover, he is frequently called to appear as a Qatari law expert before international arbitral tribunals.
Sultan was designated as an arbitrator on the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators for a period of six years with effect from May 2019. He was elected as a member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration for a 3-year term starting on July 1, 2021.
Sultan has and LLB degree from Beirut Arab University in Lebanon and an LLM degree in International and Comparative Law from Southern Methodist University, USA.
Sultan is fluent in Arabic and English.
Catherine Dixon
Ciarb, Director General
Catherine joined CIArb as Director General in May 2020 having set the world record for circumnavigation of the world on a tandem. Prior to setting her world record, Catherine spent time in Chief Executive Officer roles at the Law Society of England and Wales, a Higher and Further Education College and at NHS Resolution. Catherine has also held Senior Executive Director and General Counsel roles at the NSPCC and BUPA and in Canada at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
Catherine started her professional career in private practice as a solicitor, at Eversheds Sutherland and was an Officer in the British Army. Catherine has served as a trustee and non-executive director on a number of boards, including the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), Queens Counsel Appointments, LawWorks, National Pro Bono Centre, the PDSA, the Yorkshire and Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, the Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, and Landex.
Catherine is currently a trustee of Stonewall and a member of the Advisory Board of the Open University. Catherine is a solicitor and accredited mediator and has a MBA.
Catherine joined CIArb as Director General in May 2020 having set the world record for circumnavigation of the world on a tandem. Prior to setting her world record, Catherine spent time in Chief Executive Officer roles at the Law Society of England and Wales, a Higher and Further Education College and at NHS Resolution. Catherine has also held Senior Executive Director and General Counsel roles at the NSPCC and BUPA and in Canada at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
Catherine started her professional career in private practice as a solicitor, at Eversheds Sutherland and was an Officer in the British Army. Catherine has served as a trustee and non-executive director on a number of boards, including the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), Queens Counsel Appointments, LawWorks, National Pro Bono Centre, the PDSA, the Yorkshire and Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, the Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, and Landex.
Catherine is currently a trustee of Stonewall and a member of the Advisory Board of the Open University. Catherine is a solicitor and accredited mediator and has a MBA.
Faisal Al-Sahouti
CEO - QICDRC
FAISAL BIN RASHID AL SAHOUTI has been the CEO of the QICDRC since April 2014. He is also a member of the Court’s Advisory Board. He is responsible for the administrative, financial and legal affairs of Court under the supervision of the President of the QICDRC. During Mr. Al Sahouti’s tenure, the QICDRC has witnessed remarkable growth, as he has led the administrative development of the Court, particularly advancing the QICDRC electronic services provided to litigants and lawyers. In addition, Mr. Al Sahouti has contributed extensively to the development of human resources at the QICDRC by employing talented and highly qualified Qataris to work at the QICDRC registry and other administrative departments of the Court.
In 2017, Mr. Al Sahouti chaired the executive council responsible for organizing the Qatar Law Forum (QLF), which is considered one of the most important regional and international conferences promoting importance of the rule of law. In 2019, the Council of Ministers appointed Mr. Al Sahouti as a member of the Grievances Committee of the Qatar Financial Markets Authority pursuant to Council Ministers Decision No. 22/2019. As of 2019, Mr. Al-Sahouti is a member of Alumni Council in Qatar University and a member in the finance committee in the Council. Mr. Al Sahouti joined the Qatar
International Court in 2011, where he worked as an assistant to judges in preparing case fi les and worked in the court registry.
Mr. Al Sahouti holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Qatar University, and a master’s degree in Commercial Law from the University of Nottingham (UK). In addition, Mr. Al Sahouti is a certified international arbitrator and a judicial mediator accredited by the CEDR Institute in London. He has acted as an arbitrator in a number of arbitration cases in the State of Qatar.
Mr. Al Sahouti is currently a member the advisory board of LexisNexis Journal in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and is the author of numerous articles in international journals.
FAISAL BIN RASHID AL SAHOUTI has been the CEO of the QICDRC since April 2014. He is also a member of the Court’s Advisory Board. He is responsible for the administrative, financial and legal affairs of Court under the supervision of the President of the QICDRC. During Mr. Al Sahouti’s tenure, the QICDRC has witnessed remarkable growth, as he has led the administrative development of the Court, particularly advancing the QICDRC electronic services provided to litigants and lawyers. In addition, Mr. Al Sahouti has contributed extensively to the development of human resources at the QICDRC by employing talented and highly qualified Qataris to work at the QICDRC registry and other administrative departments of the Court.
In 2017, Mr. Al Sahouti chaired the executive council responsible for organizing the Qatar Law Forum (QLF), which is considered one of the most important regional and international conferences promoting importance of the rule of law. In 2019, the Council of Ministers appointed Mr. Al Sahouti as a member of the Grievances Committee of the Qatar Financial Markets Authority pursuant to Council Ministers Decision No. 22/2019. As of 2019, Mr. Al-Sahouti is a member of Alumni Council in Qatar University and a member in the finance committee in the Council. Mr. Al Sahouti joined the Qatar
International Court in 2011, where he worked as an assistant to judges in preparing case fi les and worked in the court registry.
Mr. Al Sahouti holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Qatar University, and a master’s degree in Commercial Law from the University of Nottingham (UK). In addition, Mr. Al Sahouti is a certified international arbitrator and a judicial mediator accredited by the CEDR Institute in London. He has acted as an arbitrator in a number of arbitration cases in the State of Qatar.
Mr. Al Sahouti is currently a member the advisory board of LexisNexis Journal in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and is the author of numerous articles in international journals.
Antonia Birt
Partner
Reed Smith LLP, Dubai
Antonia Birt acts as counsel and advocate in commercial and construction arbitrations for state, national and multi-national clients, with a focus on commercial, distribution, corporate, energy, oil and gas, infrastructure, and engineering disputes. She advises on the full cycle of complex, high-value disputes, from settlement negotiations, mediations, and other alternative dispute resolution methods, to formal dispute resolution proceedings and enforcement. Antonia has represented clients under the major arbitral rules, including the ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, DIAC, ADCCAC, ICDR and UNCITRAL Rules.
Antonia also acts as arbitrator, having previously sat as sole or co-arbitrator in ICC, DIFC-LCIA and DIAC arbitrations.
Since 2019, Antonia teaches the International Arbitration Practicum to LLM students at the Pantheon Assas University Paris II, UAE. She also acts as co-chair for both the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge MENA committee and the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations MENA committee. Antonia is a member of the IBA Commercial Arbitration Case Law Sub-Committee responsible for the UAE, having previously co-authored the original and updated editions of the IBA Guide on Arbitration, UAE law chapter.
Antonia completed an LLM at the University of Cambridge, and is admitted as a Solicitor of England and Wales, Part I and II practitioner of the DIFC Courts, and a foreign practitioner in Dubai, having been based in Dubai for over 12 years.
Reed Smith LLP, Dubai
Antonia Birt acts as counsel and advocate in commercial and construction arbitrations for state, national and multi-national clients, with a focus on commercial, distribution, corporate, energy, oil and gas, infrastructure, and engineering disputes. She advises on the full cycle of complex, high-value disputes, from settlement negotiations, mediations, and other alternative dispute resolution methods, to formal dispute resolution proceedings and enforcement. Antonia has represented clients under the major arbitral rules, including the ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, DIAC, ADCCAC, ICDR and UNCITRAL Rules.
Antonia also acts as arbitrator, having previously sat as sole or co-arbitrator in ICC, DIFC-LCIA and DIAC arbitrations.
Since 2019, Antonia teaches the International Arbitration Practicum to LLM students at the Pantheon Assas University Paris II, UAE. She also acts as co-chair for both the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge MENA committee and the Campaign for Greener Arbitrations MENA committee. Antonia is a member of the IBA Commercial Arbitration Case Law Sub-Committee responsible for the UAE, having previously co-authored the original and updated editions of the IBA Guide on Arbitration, UAE law chapter.
Antonia completed an LLM at the University of Cambridge, and is admitted as a Solicitor of England and Wales, Part I and II practitioner of the DIFC Courts, and a foreign practitioner in Dubai, having been based in Dubai for over 12 years.
Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdel Wahab
C. Arb; FCIArb.
Ciarb MENA Trustee
Professor of International Arbitration, Private International Law and English Contract Law at Cairo University; Founding Partner and Head of International Arbitration, Construction and Energy Groups at Zulficar&Partners Law Firm (Egypt); ICCA Treasurer & Member of the Governing Board; Dean of the Africa Arbitration Academy; Chair of the International Expert Committee of the Permanent Forum for China Construction Law; Vice-Chair of the ICC Governing Body for Dispute Resolution Services; Co- Chair, IBA Arab Regional Forum; Vice-Chair of the Advisory Committee of the CRCICA; Member of the CIMAC Court of Arbitration; Member of the Advisory Board of the MIAC; Member of the LACIAC Court of Arbitration; Member of the ITA Academic Council; Member of the Advisory Board, Indonesian Arbitration Centre; and Member of the Court, PCA. He served as ‘Arbitrator’, ‘Legal Expert’ and ‘Counsel’ in more than 245 cases, involving parties from the Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. He featured in cases under the auspices of the AAA, BCDR (Bahrain), ADCCAC (UAE), CRCICA (Egypt), DIAC (UAE), DIFC-LCIA (UAE), ICC (France), ICSID (USA), KIAC (Rwanda), LCIA (UK), LMAA (UK), QICCA (Qatar), RCICAL (Nigeria), SCC
(Sweden), SIAC (Singapore), TIAC (Uzbekistan), as well as ad hoc UNCITRAL proceedings, involving mega multi-hundred million dollars disputes involving private parties, investors, States and State-owned entities. He received the LAW Magazine 2017 Best Legal Practitioner Award, the 2018 ASA International Arbitration Advocacy Prize, the 2019 AYA Hall-of-Fame African Arbitrator Award, the 2020 and 2021 Client Choice International Award. He is listed in Who’s Who Global Elite Thought Leaders: International Arbitration (2021 and 2022); selected among the Legal500 Africa Powerlist (2021) and the AYA’s Africa's Top 30 Powerlist (2021). He is the coeditor (with Prof Maxi Scherer and Ms. Niuscha Bassiri) of “International Arbitration and the COVID-19 Revolution” (2020); coeditor (with Prof Ethan Katsh and Mr. Daniel Rainey) of “Online Dispute Resolution: Theory and Practice” (2021); and is the author of the Abdel Wahab Pandemic Pathway to Virtual/Remote Hearings.
Chambers & Partners Global (2022) says: “Mohamed Abdel Wahab is one of the best-known arbitration practitioners […].” “He is the perfect mix of legal expertise and strategic intuition, backed up by years of hard-earned experience and advocacy. He is very responsive […].” “Mohamed Abdel Wahab 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 is a very well- known arbitrator who is very much involved in African work. He's a very impressive guy.” Who’s Who Legal: Construction (2022) says: “Peers and clients say: “Mohamed is an all time great of construction arbitration” “Mohamed is a very smooth operator who makes arbitration process work very well”. Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration (2022) says: “His intellectual rigour and well-rounded experience make him a natural choice as an arbitrator”, “He is academically brilliant”, “One of the best minds on arbitration issues” and “Extremely impressive”. Chambers & Partners Global (2021) says “Peers regard Mohamed Abdel Wahab as “an absolute star in arbitration”, “He is always on top of the work and has an excellent knowledge of the market and the law”. Legal 500 (2021) says: ‘Mohamed Abdel Wahab is a brilliant practitioner who is at the top of the international arbitration field globally. His understanding of and experience in international arbitration are matched by few’; ‘Very knowledgeable, responsive, brilliant and accurate. Mohamed Abdel Wahab is a very strong litigator and legal strategist’; ‘one of the best litigators and arbitration experts I have met. He is extremely efficient, reliable and is able to go the extra mile, while being innovative and brilliant’; and ‘Importantly, he is one of the most hardworking individuals in the field. His working ethos and common sense approach to complex legal problems are outstanding’. Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration (2021) says: “Mohamed
is knowledgeable and qualified with extensive experience in the field”, “He is at the top of the market”, “Outstanding engagement and pleasant to work with”, “He is a top-tier thought leader and in a league of his own” and “a very well-prepared and exceptional arbitrator”. Prof. Dr. Abdel Wahab was nominated four times in (2013), (2014), (2018) and (2019) for the Global Arbitration Review Award for the Best Arbitration Lecture/Speech, and was also nominated in (2020) for the GAR COVID-19 Pandemic Response Award, and was shortlisted among the top five arbitrators for the GAR award for the best prepared and responsive arbitrator in (2021).
Ciarb MENA Trustee
Professor of International Arbitration, Private International Law and English Contract Law at Cairo University; Founding Partner and Head of International Arbitration, Construction and Energy Groups at Zulficar&Partners Law Firm (Egypt); ICCA Treasurer & Member of the Governing Board; Dean of the Africa Arbitration Academy; Chair of the International Expert Committee of the Permanent Forum for China Construction Law; Vice-Chair of the ICC Governing Body for Dispute Resolution Services; Co- Chair, IBA Arab Regional Forum; Vice-Chair of the Advisory Committee of the CRCICA; Member of the CIMAC Court of Arbitration; Member of the Advisory Board of the MIAC; Member of the LACIAC Court of Arbitration; Member of the ITA Academic Council; Member of the Advisory Board, Indonesian Arbitration Centre; and Member of the Court, PCA. He served as ‘Arbitrator’, ‘Legal Expert’ and ‘Counsel’ in more than 245 cases, involving parties from the Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. He featured in cases under the auspices of the AAA, BCDR (Bahrain), ADCCAC (UAE), CRCICA (Egypt), DIAC (UAE), DIFC-LCIA (UAE), ICC (France), ICSID (USA), KIAC (Rwanda), LCIA (UK), LMAA (UK), QICCA (Qatar), RCICAL (Nigeria), SCC
(Sweden), SIAC (Singapore), TIAC (Uzbekistan), as well as ad hoc UNCITRAL proceedings, involving mega multi-hundred million dollars disputes involving private parties, investors, States and State-owned entities. He received the LAW Magazine 2017 Best Legal Practitioner Award, the 2018 ASA International Arbitration Advocacy Prize, the 2019 AYA Hall-of-Fame African Arbitrator Award, the 2020 and 2021 Client Choice International Award. He is listed in Who’s Who Global Elite Thought Leaders: International Arbitration (2021 and 2022); selected among the Legal500 Africa Powerlist (2021) and the AYA’s Africa's Top 30 Powerlist (2021). He is the coeditor (with Prof Maxi Scherer and Ms. Niuscha Bassiri) of “International Arbitration and the COVID-19 Revolution” (2020); coeditor (with Prof Ethan Katsh and Mr. Daniel Rainey) of “Online Dispute Resolution: Theory and Practice” (2021); and is the author of the Abdel Wahab Pandemic Pathway to Virtual/Remote Hearings.
Chambers & Partners Global (2022) says: “Mohamed Abdel Wahab is one of the best-known arbitration practitioners […].” “He is the perfect mix of legal expertise and strategic intuition, backed up by years of hard-earned experience and advocacy. He is very responsive […].” “Mohamed Abdel Wahab 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 is a very well- known arbitrator who is very much involved in African work. He's a very impressive guy.” Who’s Who Legal: Construction (2022) says: “Peers and clients say: “Mohamed is an all time great of construction arbitration” “Mohamed is a very smooth operator who makes arbitration process work very well”. Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration (2022) says: “His intellectual rigour and well-rounded experience make him a natural choice as an arbitrator”, “He is academically brilliant”, “One of the best minds on arbitration issues” and “Extremely impressive”. Chambers & Partners Global (2021) says “Peers regard Mohamed Abdel Wahab as “an absolute star in arbitration”, “He is always on top of the work and has an excellent knowledge of the market and the law”. Legal 500 (2021) says: ‘Mohamed Abdel Wahab is a brilliant practitioner who is at the top of the international arbitration field globally. His understanding of and experience in international arbitration are matched by few’; ‘Very knowledgeable, responsive, brilliant and accurate. Mohamed Abdel Wahab is a very strong litigator and legal strategist’; ‘one of the best litigators and arbitration experts I have met. He is extremely efficient, reliable and is able to go the extra mile, while being innovative and brilliant’; and ‘Importantly, he is one of the most hardworking individuals in the field. His working ethos and common sense approach to complex legal problems are outstanding’. Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration (2021) says: “Mohamed
is knowledgeable and qualified with extensive experience in the field”, “He is at the top of the market”, “Outstanding engagement and pleasant to work with”, “He is a top-tier thought leader and in a league of his own” and “a very well-prepared and exceptional arbitrator”. Prof. Dr. Abdel Wahab was nominated four times in (2013), (2014), (2018) and (2019) for the Global Arbitration Review Award for the Best Arbitration Lecture/Speech, and was also nominated in (2020) for the GAR COVID-19 Pandemic Response Award, and was shortlisted among the top five arbitrators for the GAR award for the best prepared and responsive arbitrator in (2021).
Fatima Balfaqeeh
Director of the Dubai office of Saudi Commercial Center for Arbitration (SCCA)
Fatima Balfaqeeh is a UAE qualified Lawyer, Independent Arbitrator, Mediator, and Business Consultant with over two decades of experience. She started her career in government and semi-government entities in Abu Dhabi, leading the contracts and procurement function. She has a wealth of experience in commercial, legal, and operational matters in various sectors, including construction, contracts and procurement governance enforcement, project-related finance, payables, and banking credit facilities for corporate clients.
Fatima is a Certified Independent Arbitrator and a Certified Commercial Mediator, and she has been invited to speak at numerous national and international ADR events. In 2018, she established her own consulting firm, which has since evolved into a law firm that operates in Abu Dhabi. She is a Chartered Arbitrator of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), a Member in RICS as a chartered Facilities Management Surveyor, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Chain (CIPS).
She is currently also serving as The Director of the Dubai office of Saudi Commercial Center for Arbitration (SCCA).
Fatima Balfaqeeh is a UAE qualified Lawyer, Independent Arbitrator, Mediator, and Business Consultant with over two decades of experience. She started her career in government and semi-government entities in Abu Dhabi, leading the contracts and procurement function. She has a wealth of experience in commercial, legal, and operational matters in various sectors, including construction, contracts and procurement governance enforcement, project-related finance, payables, and banking credit facilities for corporate clients.
Fatima is a Certified Independent Arbitrator and a Certified Commercial Mediator, and she has been invited to speak at numerous national and international ADR events. In 2018, she established her own consulting firm, which has since evolved into a law firm that operates in Abu Dhabi. She is a Chartered Arbitrator of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), a Member in RICS as a chartered Facilities Management Surveyor, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Chain (CIPS).
She is currently also serving as The Director of the Dubai office of Saudi Commercial Center for Arbitration (SCCA).
Julian Cohen
Barrister & Arbitrator
Resolution Chambers
Julian Cohen is a Barrister and Arbitrator specialising in construction, engineering and energy disputes. He has been active in the MENA region since 2009, and extensive experience of heavy weight disputes throughout the region both arbitrator and as counsel.
He has been involved with disputes involving: Dubai, Abu Dhabi. Oman, Qatar,
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iran, Sierra Leonne, Mali, Benin, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Turkey.
He is ranked by legal directories as being one of Hong Kong’s leading construction counsel (Doyle’s Guide and The Legal 500) and top arbitration practitioner (Who’s Who Legal: China and Hong Kong) and commercial disputes counsel (The Legal 500).
Following the end of the pandemic, Julian has renewed his longstanding commitment to MENA and is physically in the region for a substantial period each month.
Sums in dispute in his arbitrations range from modest to upwards of USD 2 billion.
Resolution Chambers
Julian Cohen is a Barrister and Arbitrator specialising in construction, engineering and energy disputes. He has been active in the MENA region since 2009, and extensive experience of heavy weight disputes throughout the region both arbitrator and as counsel.
He has been involved with disputes involving: Dubai, Abu Dhabi. Oman, Qatar,
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iran, Sierra Leonne, Mali, Benin, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Turkey.
He is ranked by legal directories as being one of Hong Kong’s leading construction counsel (Doyle’s Guide and The Legal 500) and top arbitration practitioner (Who’s Who Legal: China and Hong Kong) and commercial disputes counsel (The Legal 500).
Following the end of the pandemic, Julian has renewed his longstanding commitment to MENA and is physically in the region for a substantial period each month.
Sums in dispute in his arbitrations range from modest to upwards of USD 2 billion.
Ahmed Abdelbakey
Partner at Resolve International
Ahmed Abdelbakey (Msc, FCIarb, DipArb, PMP, PSP, RICS Expert) is a partner and delay and quantum expert at Resolve International. Abdelbakey is a civil engineer, delay, and quantum expert with over 17 years of construction experience in building works, civil engineering, planning, and project controls. His core expertise is in the planning, programming, monitoring, and management of time on construction and engineering projects. Abdelbakey specializes in delay analysis, having had extensive experience in preparing and deconstructing claims for additional time.
Abdelbakey has acted as an expert witness in numerous forums, including the UAE Courts (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), International Arbitration Centres (DIAC, ADCCAC, DIFC-LCIA, and ICC), and in ad-hoc matters. He has acted as an assistant arbitrator in proceedings conducted under the ADCCAC rules, acted as an assistant court-appointed expert, and as a party-appointed expert in matters involving court-appointed experts.
Abdelbakey’s technical expertise, his knowledge, and experience of UAE court proceedings and international arbitration, combined with his dual English / Arabic language fluency, positions him as a leading expert regionally. He has been instructed on over 30 expert appointments and on disputes for more than 240 projects across the Middle East.
His expertise covers multiple sectors: residential, hotels and leisure, commercial and retail, airports and social infrastructure, schools and hospitals, power generation, and telecommunications.
Ahmed Abdelbakey (Msc, FCIarb, DipArb, PMP, PSP, RICS Expert) is a partner and delay and quantum expert at Resolve International. Abdelbakey is a civil engineer, delay, and quantum expert with over 17 years of construction experience in building works, civil engineering, planning, and project controls. His core expertise is in the planning, programming, monitoring, and management of time on construction and engineering projects. Abdelbakey specializes in delay analysis, having had extensive experience in preparing and deconstructing claims for additional time.
Abdelbakey has acted as an expert witness in numerous forums, including the UAE Courts (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), International Arbitration Centres (DIAC, ADCCAC, DIFC-LCIA, and ICC), and in ad-hoc matters. He has acted as an assistant arbitrator in proceedings conducted under the ADCCAC rules, acted as an assistant court-appointed expert, and as a party-appointed expert in matters involving court-appointed experts.
Abdelbakey’s technical expertise, his knowledge, and experience of UAE court proceedings and international arbitration, combined with his dual English / Arabic language fluency, positions him as a leading expert regionally. He has been instructed on over 30 expert appointments and on disputes for more than 240 projects across the Middle East.
His expertise covers multiple sectors: residential, hotels and leisure, commercial and retail, airports and social infrastructure, schools and hospitals, power generation, and telecommunications.
Sarah Malik
CEO and International Disputes Counsel
SOL International Ltd
Sarah Malik is an award-winning lawyer who achieved Litigator of the Year (2022) at the first GCC Women in Law Awards and received an honourable mention as the Law Firm Leader of the Year category at the same awards. In March 2022, SOL was named by Legal 500 EMEA as a Firm to Watch in Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and International Litigation and in 2023 Sarah has been listed as a leading practitioner in ‘The Arbitration Powerlist: Middle East’ Legal 500 EMEA.
In March 2023, Sarah was appointed to the inaugural Advisory Committee for the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) and the Advisory Board for ThoughtsLeaders4 FIRE Middle East Summit 2023.
She was also appointed to the Advisory Board for Juris Centre for Excellence in Legal Education and Training at Middlesex University, Dubai in January 2023.
Prior to founding SOL International Ltd in the UAE in August 2018, Sarah practiced as a Barrister at a leading set of Commercial Chambers in London for fifteen years, worked as employed Counsel at a prominent UK law firm for two years and headed the Advocacy and Investigations team of an international law firm in Dubai for three and a half years.
She is a member of the SIAC Users Council in the Middle East and is one of 20 appointed on the Lagos Panel of Arbitration Neutrals. Sarah is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and accepts appointments to sit as an Arbitrator.
Sarah undertakes international commercial arbitrations as Counsel (DIAC, ADCCAC, DIFC-LCIA, ICC) and practices commercial litigation at the DIFC and ADGM Courts. The arbitration caseload varies from construction through to international commercial arbitrations and Sarah has enjoyed successful awards in multi-million value.
In addition to practice, Sarah is appointed as a visiting lecturer on the LLM programme at Middlesex University, Dubai, in International Commercial Litigation and Arbitration and for the DIFC Academy in relation to DIFC and UAE Arbitration Law. She was also a lecturer for the International Commercial and Investment Arbitration Mentorship Program organised by SimuLegum EdTech. She also sat as an arbitrator at the 9th Lazareff Le Bars Vis Pre-Moot conducted on 9th February 2023 in Dubai.
Sarah partners with numerous academies worldwide including AIAC, AIFC, ADJD and DIFC to provide best practice and training on arbitration.
Sarah is regularly invited to speak at conferences within the UAE, GCC and internationally for various organisations including the ICC, CIArb and IBA.
SOL has partnered with Arbitra International and Mahmood Hussein Law Firm to present a panel entitled ‘Bridging the gap: UK and UAE’ at London Internationlal Disputes Week on 17th May 2023 and will be in attendance at the Inaugural Cyprus Arbitration Day on 22nd May 2023.
SOL is partnering the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) in order to provide best practice training and is in talks with IAMCH in India, to present a roadshow in relation to UAE and India’s synergy in arbitration.
In November 2022, Sarah was invited to speak at the IBA Young Lawyer Training at the University of Miami on ‘Metaverse: Law and Technology’ and spoke at the Young IBA on ‘The changing landscape in arbitration: new trends – how the metaverse fits into arbitration.’
As part of Dubai Arbitration Week in November 2022, Sarah organised a panel discussion on ‘Arbitration in the Metaverse’ and was a panellist for an event organised by Dr.Mahmoud Hussain Advocates & Legal Consultancy LLC on the topic ‘Cryptocurrencies, Islamic Fintech in International Commercial Arbitration: Prospects and Challenges’.
In November 2022 Sarah organised an Dispute Resolution forum in Riyadh with the SCCA entitled ‘Updates on Developments in International Arbitration with Gary Born’ wherein she held a fireside chat with Gary discussing Saudi 2030 vision and how alternative dispute resolution fits in.
In June 2022 Sarah organized, co-hosted and spoke at an Inaugural Arbitration Summit in Lahore, Pakistan. The Summit was attended by eminent local and international lawyers and distinguished members of the judiciary and received credible international coverag.
She spoke at the 6th ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration in Lagos in June 2022 on ‘Metaverse in Arbitration’at the CIArb conference in Nigeria in November 2021 on ‘Developing Diversity in Arbitration’
Sarah was interviewed in 2019 by CIArb Global on International Women’s Day. and. At the end of 2019, she authored “A Guide to GCC Arbitration”, published by Lexis Nexis and in 2018, she authored “The UAE Chapter on Arbitration in the International Comparative Legal Guide”.
SOL International Ltd
Sarah Malik is an award-winning lawyer who achieved Litigator of the Year (2022) at the first GCC Women in Law Awards and received an honourable mention as the Law Firm Leader of the Year category at the same awards. In March 2022, SOL was named by Legal 500 EMEA as a Firm to Watch in Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and International Litigation and in 2023 Sarah has been listed as a leading practitioner in ‘The Arbitration Powerlist: Middle East’ Legal 500 EMEA.
In March 2023, Sarah was appointed to the inaugural Advisory Committee for the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) and the Advisory Board for ThoughtsLeaders4 FIRE Middle East Summit 2023.
She was also appointed to the Advisory Board for Juris Centre for Excellence in Legal Education and Training at Middlesex University, Dubai in January 2023.
Prior to founding SOL International Ltd in the UAE in August 2018, Sarah practiced as a Barrister at a leading set of Commercial Chambers in London for fifteen years, worked as employed Counsel at a prominent UK law firm for two years and headed the Advocacy and Investigations team of an international law firm in Dubai for three and a half years.
She is a member of the SIAC Users Council in the Middle East and is one of 20 appointed on the Lagos Panel of Arbitration Neutrals. Sarah is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and accepts appointments to sit as an Arbitrator.
Sarah undertakes international commercial arbitrations as Counsel (DIAC, ADCCAC, DIFC-LCIA, ICC) and practices commercial litigation at the DIFC and ADGM Courts. The arbitration caseload varies from construction through to international commercial arbitrations and Sarah has enjoyed successful awards in multi-million value.
In addition to practice, Sarah is appointed as a visiting lecturer on the LLM programme at Middlesex University, Dubai, in International Commercial Litigation and Arbitration and for the DIFC Academy in relation to DIFC and UAE Arbitration Law. She was also a lecturer for the International Commercial and Investment Arbitration Mentorship Program organised by SimuLegum EdTech. She also sat as an arbitrator at the 9th Lazareff Le Bars Vis Pre-Moot conducted on 9th February 2023 in Dubai.
Sarah partners with numerous academies worldwide including AIAC, AIFC, ADJD and DIFC to provide best practice and training on arbitration.
Sarah is regularly invited to speak at conferences within the UAE, GCC and internationally for various organisations including the ICC, CIArb and IBA.
SOL has partnered with Arbitra International and Mahmood Hussein Law Firm to present a panel entitled ‘Bridging the gap: UK and UAE’ at London Internationlal Disputes Week on 17th May 2023 and will be in attendance at the Inaugural Cyprus Arbitration Day on 22nd May 2023.
SOL is partnering the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) in order to provide best practice training and is in talks with IAMCH in India, to present a roadshow in relation to UAE and India’s synergy in arbitration.
In November 2022, Sarah was invited to speak at the IBA Young Lawyer Training at the University of Miami on ‘Metaverse: Law and Technology’ and spoke at the Young IBA on ‘The changing landscape in arbitration: new trends – how the metaverse fits into arbitration.’
As part of Dubai Arbitration Week in November 2022, Sarah organised a panel discussion on ‘Arbitration in the Metaverse’ and was a panellist for an event organised by Dr.Mahmoud Hussain Advocates & Legal Consultancy LLC on the topic ‘Cryptocurrencies, Islamic Fintech in International Commercial Arbitration: Prospects and Challenges’.
In November 2022 Sarah organised an Dispute Resolution forum in Riyadh with the SCCA entitled ‘Updates on Developments in International Arbitration with Gary Born’ wherein she held a fireside chat with Gary discussing Saudi 2030 vision and how alternative dispute resolution fits in.
In June 2022 Sarah organized, co-hosted and spoke at an Inaugural Arbitration Summit in Lahore, Pakistan. The Summit was attended by eminent local and international lawyers and distinguished members of the judiciary and received credible international coverag.
She spoke at the 6th ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration in Lagos in June 2022 on ‘Metaverse in Arbitration’at the CIArb conference in Nigeria in November 2021 on ‘Developing Diversity in Arbitration’
Sarah was interviewed in 2019 by CIArb Global on International Women’s Day. and. At the end of 2019, she authored “A Guide to GCC Arbitration”, published by Lexis Nexis and in 2018, she authored “The UAE Chapter on Arbitration in the International Comparative Legal Guide”.
Dr. Ghada M. Darwish Karbon
Founder and Managing partner of Dr. Ghada M. Darwish Karbon’s law firm
Dr. Ghada M. Darwish Karbon, FCIARb is the Founder and Managing partner of Dr. Ghada M. Darwish Karbon’s law firm based in Qatar. Dr. Ghada is an appointed as Arbitrator from notable organizations such as the Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA), Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation (QSAF), The Court of Arbitration for Sport at Lausanne Switzerland and is the first Qatari lady lawyer to hold this position. She is also an appointed Arbitrator at The National Sports Arbitration Tribunal (NSAT), In 2022, Dr. Ghada continues to strengthen her presence in the legal field having been appointed by various sports and legal organizations such as Arbitrator Saudi Sport Arbitration Centre (SSAC).
Dr. Ghada has been appointed to the Independent Hearing Panel of Badminton World Federation (BWF). Dr Ghada serves as the Chairperson of the Hearing Panel of the Qatar Anti- Doping Commission and appointed by Fédération Internationale De Natation (FINA) as one of its members of Legal Ad Hoc Committee. Dr. Ghada is also appointed Member of the Aquatics Integrity Unit of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) during the FINA Budapest 2022 event.
Dr. Ghada is currently appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) as Vice Chair for the ICC Commercial Law and Practice Commission and Commission Member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Dr. Ghada has written many legal research works and publications, including a book titled "Taking Lessons from the past" in the field of setting up major sporting events and it is a comparative study between the experiences of countries that organized the FIFA World Cup events earlier and how to benefit from these experiences in Qatar on the occasion of organizing the activities of the World Cup 2022.
Dr. Ghada M. Darwish Karbon, FCIARb is the Founder and Managing partner of Dr. Ghada M. Darwish Karbon’s law firm based in Qatar. Dr. Ghada is an appointed as Arbitrator from notable organizations such as the Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA), Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation (QSAF), The Court of Arbitration for Sport at Lausanne Switzerland and is the first Qatari lady lawyer to hold this position. She is also an appointed Arbitrator at The National Sports Arbitration Tribunal (NSAT), In 2022, Dr. Ghada continues to strengthen her presence in the legal field having been appointed by various sports and legal organizations such as Arbitrator Saudi Sport Arbitration Centre (SSAC).
Dr. Ghada has been appointed to the Independent Hearing Panel of Badminton World Federation (BWF). Dr Ghada serves as the Chairperson of the Hearing Panel of the Qatar Anti- Doping Commission and appointed by Fédération Internationale De Natation (FINA) as one of its members of Legal Ad Hoc Committee. Dr. Ghada is also appointed Member of the Aquatics Integrity Unit of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) during the FINA Budapest 2022 event.
Dr. Ghada is currently appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) as Vice Chair for the ICC Commercial Law and Practice Commission and Commission Member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Dr. Ghada has written many legal research works and publications, including a book titled "Taking Lessons from the past" in the field of setting up major sporting events and it is a comparative study between the experiences of countries that organized the FIFA World Cup events earlier and how to benefit from these experiences in Qatar on the occasion of organizing the activities of the World Cup 2022.
Prof. Nader M. Ibrahim
Professor of Commercial & Maritime Laws College of Law, Qatar University
Prof. Nader M. Ibrahim is an Egyptian academic, who works as Professor of Commercial Law, for the Law School of Qatar University, since 2016. Prof. Ibrahim read law at the Law School of Alexandria University, where he received his graduate studies (1991-1992), including his PhD in International Commercial Arbitration (1998). This is in addition to an LLM in International Business Law from the Sorbonne Program at Cairo University (1994).
Prof. Ibrahim started his academic career in 1995 at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AAST&MT), Alexandria, Egypt, where he taught Commercial & Maritime Laws, International Business Law, and Arbitration Law. At his home institution, Mr. Ibrahim occupied different administrative posts, leading to that of a Dean (2013-2016). Now, he is in secondment to Qatar University.
Prof. Ibrahim is a previous intern to the ICC International Commercial Tribunal (Paris 1994), and ICSID Projects’ Assistant (World Bank, Washington 1996).And, he is a former expert with the African Union, Arab League, CMI and UNCITRAL.
Prof. Ibrahim focuses his research on International Arbitration, commercial and maritime laws, from the perspective of the Arab World.
Prof. Ibrahim is among the list of arbitrators of CRCICA, QICCA and Abu Dhabi CC&AC with 15 Arbitration cases’ record.
For a copy of research:
www.ssrn.com/abstract=1733504
Prof. Nader M. Ibrahim is an Egyptian academic, who works as Professor of Commercial Law, for the Law School of Qatar University, since 2016. Prof. Ibrahim read law at the Law School of Alexandria University, where he received his graduate studies (1991-1992), including his PhD in International Commercial Arbitration (1998). This is in addition to an LLM in International Business Law from the Sorbonne Program at Cairo University (1994).
Prof. Ibrahim started his academic career in 1995 at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AAST&MT), Alexandria, Egypt, where he taught Commercial & Maritime Laws, International Business Law, and Arbitration Law. At his home institution, Mr. Ibrahim occupied different administrative posts, leading to that of a Dean (2013-2016). Now, he is in secondment to Qatar University.
Prof. Ibrahim is a previous intern to the ICC International Commercial Tribunal (Paris 1994), and ICSID Projects’ Assistant (World Bank, Washington 1996).And, he is a former expert with the African Union, Arab League, CMI and UNCITRAL.
Prof. Ibrahim focuses his research on International Arbitration, commercial and maritime laws, from the perspective of the Arab World.
Prof. Ibrahim is among the list of arbitrators of CRCICA, QICCA and Abu Dhabi CC&AC with 15 Arbitration cases’ record.
For a copy of research:
www.ssrn.com/abstract=1733504
Dr. Zain Al Abdin Sharar
LLB, LLM Int’l Trade Law, JD, SJD, FCIArb
DR. ZAIN AL ABDIN SHARAR is Senior Legal Counsel in the CEO’s Office at the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC). He has over 23 years’ experience in the legal field.
Prior to joining the QICDRC, Dr. Sharar was the Director of Legal Affairs & Enforcement at the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA). Dr. Sharar also served for three years on the QFMA’s disciplinary committee.
Dr. Sharar has taught corporate law and corporate governance at a number of Australian universities and has provided advice to board members of several Australian publicly listed companies. He worked full time at Qatar University for three years as an Assistant Professor of Commercial Law, where he taught, commercial law, companies law and arbitration law. He also teaches on a part time basis at Ahmad Bin Mohammed Military College and Lusail University, where he teaches, commercial law, companies law and maritime and aviation law at the Ahmad. He has lectured on many topics at the Legal and Judicial Studies Centre at the Qatar Ministry of Justice.
Dr. Sharar is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), a certified Arbitrator at the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), a Certified Mediator at the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) in London, and a Qualified Practitioner Arbitrator at the GCC Commercial Arbitration Centre. He has provided mediation and arbitration services in many commercial and construction cases. He also participates in ADR training programmes. He also has published numerous articles in scholarly journals.
Dr. Sharar has a Bachelor of Laws, a Master’s Degree in International Trade Law, and a Doctor of Legal Sciences from Bond University in Australia, specifically focused on corporate governance.
DR. ZAIN AL ABDIN SHARAR is Senior Legal Counsel in the CEO’s Office at the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC). He has over 23 years’ experience in the legal field.
Prior to joining the QICDRC, Dr. Sharar was the Director of Legal Affairs & Enforcement at the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA). Dr. Sharar also served for three years on the QFMA’s disciplinary committee.
Dr. Sharar has taught corporate law and corporate governance at a number of Australian universities and has provided advice to board members of several Australian publicly listed companies. He worked full time at Qatar University for three years as an Assistant Professor of Commercial Law, where he taught, commercial law, companies law and arbitration law. He also teaches on a part time basis at Ahmad Bin Mohammed Military College and Lusail University, where he teaches, commercial law, companies law and maritime and aviation law at the Ahmad. He has lectured on many topics at the Legal and Judicial Studies Centre at the Qatar Ministry of Justice.
Dr. Sharar is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), a certified Arbitrator at the Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), a Certified Mediator at the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) in London, and a Qualified Practitioner Arbitrator at the GCC Commercial Arbitration Centre. He has provided mediation and arbitration services in many commercial and construction cases. He also participates in ADR training programmes. He also has published numerous articles in scholarly journals.
Dr. Sharar has a Bachelor of Laws, a Master’s Degree in International Trade Law, and a Doctor of Legal Sciences from Bond University in Australia, specifically focused on corporate governance.
Myriam Eid
Head of the Arbitration and ADR Practice
Myriam Eid is a senior counsel with Al-Marri & El-Hage Law Office in Doha and leads the firm's arbitration and ADR practice. She previously held the position of a partner and head of arbitration in a well-established law firm in Lebanon.
She has more than 15 years of experience in the conduct of international arbitration proceedings (ad hoc and institutional) and frequently advises companies, state entities, contractors, owners and operators on the resolution of complex disputes, with a particular focus on disputes within the construction and engineering industry in the Arab countries.
Myriam was selected to feature among 40 prominent female arbitration practitioners in the Arab World by Lexis Nexis-Middle East.
Myriam is a qualified lawyer registered with the Beirut Bar Association and a member of the ERA Pledge Middle East Sub-committee and Greener Arbitrations Campaign. She served as an ICC YAF Representative for the MENA (2017-2019) and is a former member of the scientific committee of the Arbitration Center of the Beirut Bar Association. She is a lecturer in international arbitration at the school of law of the Holy-Spirit University of Kaslik (since 2017) and the LLM Support Program of the University of London in Beirut since (2012-2022). She also served as the main coach for the USEK Vis Moot team.
Myriam holds a Master’s degree (DEA) in Commercial Law from Université Panthéon Assas (Paris II) and law degree from Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut. She has contributed to several scholarly articles and studies in Arabic, French and English.
Myriam Eid is a senior counsel with Al-Marri & El-Hage Law Office in Doha and leads the firm's arbitration and ADR practice. She previously held the position of a partner and head of arbitration in a well-established law firm in Lebanon.
She has more than 15 years of experience in the conduct of international arbitration proceedings (ad hoc and institutional) and frequently advises companies, state entities, contractors, owners and operators on the resolution of complex disputes, with a particular focus on disputes within the construction and engineering industry in the Arab countries.
Myriam was selected to feature among 40 prominent female arbitration practitioners in the Arab World by Lexis Nexis-Middle East.
Myriam is a qualified lawyer registered with the Beirut Bar Association and a member of the ERA Pledge Middle East Sub-committee and Greener Arbitrations Campaign. She served as an ICC YAF Representative for the MENA (2017-2019) and is a former member of the scientific committee of the Arbitration Center of the Beirut Bar Association. She is a lecturer in international arbitration at the school of law of the Holy-Spirit University of Kaslik (since 2017) and the LLM Support Program of the University of London in Beirut since (2012-2022). She also served as the main coach for the USEK Vis Moot team.
Myriam holds a Master’s degree (DEA) in Commercial Law from Université Panthéon Assas (Paris II) and law degree from Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut. She has contributed to several scholarly articles and studies in Arabic, French and English.
Hilary Bell
Assistant Professor at
HBKU's College of Law
Hilary Bell is an Assistant Professor at HBKU's College of Law. She teaches construction and infrastructure development law, dispute resolution and legal skills courses.
Hilary is a Solicitor and Notary Public; a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration. Before joining HBKU Law, she was a construction disputes lawyer in Qatar.
Before moving to Qatar, she practised as a litigator in the UK. Hilary recently delivered a training course to the CIArb’s Nigerian branch, training CIArb trainers how to design arbitration courses.
Earlier this year she published a book chapter considering Minimizing Construction Disputes in Africa, which focused on the Arbitration landscape in Africa. Much of Hilary's scholarship focuses on the interdisciplinary application of educational pedagogy to teaching critical areas of law, including arbitration.
HBKU's College of Law
Hilary Bell is an Assistant Professor at HBKU's College of Law. She teaches construction and infrastructure development law, dispute resolution and legal skills courses.
Hilary is a Solicitor and Notary Public; a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration. Before joining HBKU Law, she was a construction disputes lawyer in Qatar.
Before moving to Qatar, she practised as a litigator in the UK. Hilary recently delivered a training course to the CIArb’s Nigerian branch, training CIArb trainers how to design arbitration courses.
Earlier this year she published a book chapter considering Minimizing Construction Disputes in Africa, which focused on the Arbitration landscape in Africa. Much of Hilary's scholarship focuses on the interdisciplinary application of educational pedagogy to teaching critical areas of law, including arbitration.
Michael Dullaghan
Executive Director, DMD
Michael is an Executive Director at DMD Consult with over sixteen years of industry experience in contractor, client, and consultancy roles.
Michael has extensive experience in Commercial Management, Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution, including expertise in preparing claims related to delay, disruption, productivity, and damages.
Throughout his career, Michael has been engaged across various construction market sectors in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Japan, Algeria, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Michael is a detail-oriented strategic advisor who has managed and led successful commercial, claims and dispute teams.
Michael is an Executive Director at DMD Consult with over sixteen years of industry experience in contractor, client, and consultancy roles.
Michael has extensive experience in Commercial Management, Contract Administration and Dispute Resolution, including expertise in preparing claims related to delay, disruption, productivity, and damages.
Throughout his career, Michael has been engaged across various construction market sectors in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Japan, Algeria, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Michael is a detail-oriented strategic advisor who has managed and led successful commercial, claims and dispute teams.
Richard McConn
Honorary Secretary, Ciarb Qatar
Richard McConn is a Director in DG Jones & Partners with some 40 years of experience. He has worked on major multibillion infrastructure projects and airports in Qatar and UK. His experience extends across expert witness, mediation and arbitration. He is a Chartered Surveyor and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Richard McConn is a Director in DG Jones & Partners with some 40 years of experience. He has worked on major multibillion infrastructure projects and airports in Qatar and UK. His experience extends across expert witness, mediation and arbitration. He is a Chartered Surveyor and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
H. K. Suresha
Senior Partner and Country Head at MASIN for Qatar and KSA
Suresha Senior Partner and Country Head at MASIN for Qatar and KSA and is specialised delay and quantum Expert and experienced in understanding, identifying, and evaluating the engineering and construction disputes and claims as well as issues which can be considered for dispute avoidance/ resolution of large-scale engineering and construction projects in Middle East, Europe, South East Asia, Asia Pacific and South Africa.
Suresha has over 22 years of experience, and he has served as a Contracts and Claims Specialist on several large-scale projects involving complex contractual/commercial, delay and quantum claims.
Mr. Suresha acted as Independent Expert for Delay and Quantum in a number of international arbitration namely ICC, LCIA, QICCA, DIFC and DIAC etc and provided expert testimony before the Arbitral Tribunal.
Suresha Senior Partner and Country Head at MASIN for Qatar and KSA and is specialised delay and quantum Expert and experienced in understanding, identifying, and evaluating the engineering and construction disputes and claims as well as issues which can be considered for dispute avoidance/ resolution of large-scale engineering and construction projects in Middle East, Europe, South East Asia, Asia Pacific and South Africa.
Suresha has over 22 years of experience, and he has served as a Contracts and Claims Specialist on several large-scale projects involving complex contractual/commercial, delay and quantum claims.
Mr. Suresha acted as Independent Expert for Delay and Quantum in a number of international arbitration namely ICC, LCIA, QICCA, DIFC and DIAC etc and provided expert testimony before the Arbitral Tribunal.
Dr. Aouni Shahoud Almousa
Assistant Professor of Private Law at Lusail University (Doha - Qatar)
Dr. Aouni Shahoud Almousa is an Assistant Professor of Private Law at Lusail University (Doha - Qatar), an of counsel at Alexander and Partners (Berlin - Germany) and a Trainer for Arbitrators at Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) as well at Kuwait Commercial Arbitration Center.
Dr. Aouni is a specialist in international commercial arbitration. In addition, he maintains a broad commercial practice with a focus on international business law, foreign investment and international commercial arbitration in the Middle East and North Africa. He has particular expertise in matters relating to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Syria. He advises on commercial transactions, strategic investments, joint ventures, and regulatory compliance as well matters involving state contracts, the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, employment law, and trade finance.
Dr. Aouni Shahoud Almousa is an Assistant Professor of Private Law at Lusail University (Doha - Qatar), an of counsel at Alexander and Partners (Berlin - Germany) and a Trainer for Arbitrators at Qatar International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration (QICCA) as well at Kuwait Commercial Arbitration Center.
Dr. Aouni is a specialist in international commercial arbitration. In addition, he maintains a broad commercial practice with a focus on international business law, foreign investment and international commercial arbitration in the Middle East and North Africa. He has particular expertise in matters relating to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Syria. He advises on commercial transactions, strategic investments, joint ventures, and regulatory compliance as well matters involving state contracts, the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, employment law, and trade finance.
Khaled Elgarhe
Board member, Ciarb Qatar.
Former Chief Legal Counsel of QICCA
Khaled is an attorney at law and international arbitrator.
Khaled was the Former Chief Legal Counsel of Qatar international Center for Conciliation and Arbitration and a board member of CIArb Qatar.
Khaled holds L.L.M in dispute resolution and he is a PHD Candidate.
Khaled acted as a lawyer and in house legal counsel for several Companies, Clients and Contractors in major construction and commercial disputes over the past 13 years throughout Qatar and Egypt. He has wide experience in disputes on major projects and infrastructure under Qatari law
Khaled also participated as a leading counsel and represent several clients in different construction, banking and commercial disputes including; international arbitration, before ICC, LCIA and QICCA and he is a listed Arbitrator by major regional and international arbitration institutions.
Khaled acting as an arbitrator in several disputes under QICCA and DIAC rules.
Khaled is a licensed attorney before the Egyptian Courts and a Member of the Young African arbitration association Committee as he has regularly publishing several articles on international arbitration via Kluwer and different channels.
Former Chief Legal Counsel of QICCA
Khaled is an attorney at law and international arbitrator.
Khaled was the Former Chief Legal Counsel of Qatar international Center for Conciliation and Arbitration and a board member of CIArb Qatar.
Khaled holds L.L.M in dispute resolution and he is a PHD Candidate.
Khaled acted as a lawyer and in house legal counsel for several Companies, Clients and Contractors in major construction and commercial disputes over the past 13 years throughout Qatar and Egypt. He has wide experience in disputes on major projects and infrastructure under Qatari law
Khaled also participated as a leading counsel and represent several clients in different construction, banking and commercial disputes including; international arbitration, before ICC, LCIA and QICCA and he is a listed Arbitrator by major regional and international arbitration institutions.
Khaled acting as an arbitrator in several disputes under QICCA and DIAC rules.
Khaled is a licensed attorney before the Egyptian Courts and a Member of the Young African arbitration association Committee as he has regularly publishing several articles on international arbitration via Kluwer and different channels.
Dr. Wael Shalaan
Associate Professor of Civil and Commercial Procedures Law and Senior Legal Counsel at Ministry of Justice, Qatar
Dr. Wael Shalaan is an Associate Professor of Civil and Commercial Procedure Law, Faculty of Shari'a and Law at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Senior Legal Counsel at Ministry of Justice, Qatar, delegated Legal Counsel to Minister of Social Development and Family Office, Secretary of the Committee of Experts Affairs, and Certified Arbitrator and lawyer.
Dr. Shalaan graduated from the Faculty of Shari'a and Law, Al-Azhar University in Cairo in 1996 ranked (First class honor,) and obtained his master’s degree in Private Law from School of Law, Ain Shams University in 1998, and a Higher Diploma in Judicial Sciences from Cairo University in 2004 (First class honor,), then a PhD in International commercial Arbitration from the University of Stirling in the United Kingdom in 2013.
Dr. Shalaan held several administrative and executive positions at Al-Azhar University before joining the Ministry of Justice in the State of Qatar as a Senior Legal Consultant in 2015.
Dr. Shalaan participated in drafting and reviewing many Qatari legislations, laws, decrees. He participated in writing and drafting several legal opinions in many states’ major lawsuits (local and international) since joining the Ministry until now.
Dr. Shalaan has many articles and research papers published in peer-reviewed journals in both Arabic and English on International Arbitration and Civil and Commercial Procedures Law.
He is a certified arbitrator in international commercial arbitration at QICCA, AIAC, and Egyptian Exchange. He served as Chairman, Sole Arbitrator and Co-Arbitrator in many arbitration cases under QICCA, and Ad hoc arbitrations. He also participated as a legal advisor in many lawsuits, particularly those related to Qatari laws and legislation.
Dr. Wael Shalaan is an Associate Professor of Civil and Commercial Procedure Law, Faculty of Shari'a and Law at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Senior Legal Counsel at Ministry of Justice, Qatar, delegated Legal Counsel to Minister of Social Development and Family Office, Secretary of the Committee of Experts Affairs, and Certified Arbitrator and lawyer.
Dr. Shalaan graduated from the Faculty of Shari'a and Law, Al-Azhar University in Cairo in 1996 ranked (First class honor,) and obtained his master’s degree in Private Law from School of Law, Ain Shams University in 1998, and a Higher Diploma in Judicial Sciences from Cairo University in 2004 (First class honor,), then a PhD in International commercial Arbitration from the University of Stirling in the United Kingdom in 2013.
Dr. Shalaan held several administrative and executive positions at Al-Azhar University before joining the Ministry of Justice in the State of Qatar as a Senior Legal Consultant in 2015.
Dr. Shalaan participated in drafting and reviewing many Qatari legislations, laws, decrees. He participated in writing and drafting several legal opinions in many states’ major lawsuits (local and international) since joining the Ministry until now.
Dr. Shalaan has many articles and research papers published in peer-reviewed journals in both Arabic and English on International Arbitration and Civil and Commercial Procedures Law.
He is a certified arbitrator in international commercial arbitration at QICCA, AIAC, and Egyptian Exchange. He served as Chairman, Sole Arbitrator and Co-Arbitrator in many arbitration cases under QICCA, and Ad hoc arbitrations. He also participated as a legal advisor in many lawsuits, particularly those related to Qatari laws and legislation.
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Arbitration
Conference
300+
Attendees Expected
The Venue
Four Seasons Hotel
Doha, Qatar
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