Middle East - Disputes & International Arbitration

Mayer Brown has extensive experience on a wide variety of contentious and non-contentious matters across the Middle East. We have Arabic-speaking lawyers, knowledge of local law and an extensive contacts across the Gulf and the broader Middle East.

• Represented SMI and SM Inc. as contractor and alleged contractor, respectively, in ICC construction arbitration proceedings arising out of a dispute with Air Algérie, one of the largest companies in Algeria, concerning the construction of its new headquarter offices in Algeria. The proceedings were held in Geneva.
• Acted for an English company in arbitration proceedings in Egypt under the rules of the Cairo Regional Arbitration Centre.
• Represented an Arab oil company in LCIA arbitration proceedings arising out of a construction project in Kuwait.
• Acted for an employer in defending an UNCITRAL arbitration in Dubai commenced by a consultant in connection with a large development in Iran.
• Acted for the main contractor in DIAC arbitration proceedings concerning claims for unpaid and under certified work, variations, omissions, delay and wrongful termination in relation to the construction of a multibillion dollar prestigious mixed-use leisure development in the UAE.
• Represented a Saudi Arabian company in CMAP (Centre for Mediation and Arbitration of Paris) arbitration against a French company concerning a disputed dairy products distribution contract.
• Represented a major UAE Contractor in procuring the first-ever enforcement of a DIFC Court Judgment within a foreign jurisdiction.
• Represented an Algerian incorporated company in ICC proceedings as lead counsel in a matter involving claims of breach of contract and non-payment of outstanding sums due under a consultancy agreement in relation to construction projects in Algeria.
• Advised a Civil Construction Company on a major international arbitration in excess of US$100 million in connection with the termination of a contract on an infrastructure project in Qatar. The arbitration was subject to the ICC rules and the seat of the arbitration was in London.
• Represented a Lebanese company as claimant in an ICC arbitration over the termination of a joint venture agreement with a Kuwaiti company. The joint venture was to develop a chain of stores selling food products in various areas in the MENA region.  
• Represented an Arab company against an Arab State in an adhoc arbitration under the Organization of the Islamic Conference in a dispute arising from the refusal to renew licenses.
• Represented Joy Mining & Machinery, Ltd., a mining equipment manufacturer, in an investor-state dispute, and then in an ICC arbitration, against the Arab Republic of Egypt—relating to a phosphate mine in Egypt.
• Advised a Japanese and Saudi-owned oil company on LCIA arbitration proceedings arising out of the design and construction of a sewage plant in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was a substantive dispute subject to Saudi law.
• Advised a civil construction company in relation to an ICC arbitration in excess of US$30 million regarding a sewage treatment in Qatar, arising out of a dispute between joint venture partners. The seat of the arbitration was in London.
• Represented a global mining equipment manufacturer in an ICSID arbitration and related UNCITRAL arbitration against a sovereign in a dispute relating to mining equipment, services and associated financial instruments in connection with a phosphate mine in Egypt.
• Represented a Lebanese company in ICC arbitration proceedings with a seat in Paris against a Kuwaiti company with respect to claims arising from the wrongful termination of a joint venture in the distribution sector in Lebanon.
• Advised on multimillion dollar claims and an UNCITRAL arbitration on a major process plant project.
• Represented a Lebanese company in ICC proceedings as lead counsel in a matter involving claims of breach of contract and non-payment of outstanding sums due under a consultancy agreement in relation to construction projects in Algeria.
• Instructed by Fouad Alghanim & Sons Automotive Co. in relation to an ICSID arbitration pursuant to the Jordan-Kuwait Bilateral Investment Treaty.