As Arbitrator

• Co-arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration in Singapore relating to the construction of a terminal and pipeline (US$50 million). English law.
• Sole Arbitrator in a DIFC-LCIA arbitration in Muscat relating to the operation and maintenance of a desalination plant. Omani law.
• Sole Arbitrator in a SIAC arbitration in the maritime sector relating to a loan and share sale agreement. Singapore law and seat.
• Co-arbitrator in a consolidated DIFC-LCIA arbitration with a London seat arising out of a shareholders’ agreement and a share purchase agreement for fast food franchised restaurants around the GCC.
• Co-arbitrator in an UNCITRAL Rules arbitration between a Cayman company & a Luxembourg S.A. arising out of the hire of a drill-rig unit (US$16 million)
• Sole Arbitrator in ICC Rules dispute between Iraqi and S. Korean parties in relation to construction contract in Iraq. Paris seat, English language and Kurdistan Law.
• Presiding Arbitrator in a DIFC-LCIA arbitration between a UAE subsidiary of a global oil field services supplier and a company based in Saudi Arabia arising out of a representation agreement subject to the laws of Saudi Arabia and with DIFC as the arbitral seat (amount in issue US$70 million).
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC Rules dispute between a multinational main contractor j.v. and a subcontractor in relation to a refinery project in Kuwait.
• Co-Arbitrator in ICC Rules Muscat seated arbitration arising from subcontract dispute in relation to an airport construction project. Omani law.
• Chairman in a DIAC Rules construction dispute relating to a major residential villa development and facilities for about AED300 million between the employer and main contractor.
• Co-Arbitrator in a DIAC Rules shareholder dispute between the seller of shares in a retail group and the purchaser. UAE Law and Dubai seat.
• Co-Arbitrator in ICC Rules Doha seated arbitration arising from a dispute between two professional firms. Qatari law.
• Co-Arbitrator in ADCCAC Rules Arbitration seated in Abu Dhabi arising from a construction subcontract dispute.
• Co-Arbitrator in a Doha seated LMAA arbitration in relation to the detention of a vessel and dispute with the vessel’s agents.
• Sole Arbitrator in an LCIA Rules arbitration with a Singapore seat arising out of an English law agency contract between a UAE company and an Australian company in connection with services in Egypt.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC Rules construction sub-contract arbitration with a value of about AED 14 million arising out of the construction of a hotel and apartments in UAE. Dubai seat and UAE law.
• Co-Arbitrator in a Muscat seated ad hoc arbitration arising out of a contract for construction of a grid substation and overhead transmission lines. Omani law and Muscat seat.
• Co -Arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration with a DIFC seat relating to a settlement agreement of a shareholder dispute relating to a major Gulf group. English law.
• Co-Arbitrator in a Dubai seated ad hoc arbitration in connection with a dispute between members of a professional services firm, subject to UAE law. Between Swiss and Spanish parties. English law.
• Chairman in an LCIA arbitration with a London seat relating to a commodity contract dispute in Europe.
• Co-arbitrator in an ad hoc arbitration subject to Indian procedural law and proper law between service providers with a Delhi seat subject to Indian procedural law and proper law between service providers in the education sector.
• Sole Arbitrator in SIAC English law expedited arbitration seated in Singapore arising out of a term sale contract for propane and butane.
• Third arbitrator in documents only English law, London seat, ad hoc LMAA arbitration arising out of a time charter following the withdrawal of the vessel from hire in a North African Country.
• Co-arbitrator in a Dubai seated LCIA arbitration in connection with the financing of certain telecommunications infrastructure in an African Country.
• Co-arbitrator in an LMAA arbitration arising from cancellation of the sale & purchase of a tanker under English law with a London seat.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC Rules construction sub-contract dispute arising out of desalination plant works in the Middle East. UAE Law and Dubai seat.
• Co-arbitrator in an ADCCAC Rules arbitration which is a claim by a hotel developer against architects. UAE law and Abu Dhabi seat.
• Co-arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration arising from alleged breaches of a tanker charterparty. English law and London Seat.
• Co-arbitrator in a QICCA Rules arbitration in relation to a highway construction subcontract dispute. Qatari law and Doha seat.
• Co-arbitrator in an LMAA C/P arbitration as a result of alleged contamination of gas oil.
• Sole Arbitrator appointed by DIFC Courts in an English law DIFC seat AdHoc charter party dispute for unpaid hire and bunkers.
• Sole Arbitrator in an Omani ad hoc arbitration between contractors and a government entity arising out of a long-running dispute in previous arbitration and the courts and relating to a hotel construction contract.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC Rules arbitration between a main contractor and subcontractor arising out of a railway construction contract. Dubai/UAE law and ADGM seat.
• Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration arising out of the salvage of a VLCC and a previous arbitration.Iraqi law and Dubai seat.
• Co-arbitrator in an LCIA arbitration between a major global manufacturer and a distributor in the Middle East subject to English Law & London seat.
• Emergency Arbitrator appointed by DIAC to determine an emergency application for an anti-suit injunction in a construction dispute. Dubai seat and law.
• Sole Arbitrator in SIAC Rules fuel oil sale & purchase dispute between Singapore & UAE companies concerning demurrage/detention. English law and Singapore seat.
• Chair in DIAC Rules shipping dispute between a Saudi Arabian and a Hong Kong company involving long term handling, export and transportation to Riyadh. Dubai seat, English language and HK law.
• Chairman of the Tribunal in a subcontract construction case in relation to audi visual and other packages for a luxury hotel. DIAC Rules, Dubai seat and UAE and Dubai law.
• Sole arbitrator in a construction subcontract dispute relating to a library project in Qatar. QICCA Rules, Doha seat and Qatari law.
• Chairman of the Tribunal in a subcontract construction case relating to certain substructure works on a Dubai project. DIAC Rules, Dubai seat and Dubai law.
• Co-arbitrator in DIAC Rules dispute relating to the construction of a hotel between the Employer in a ME state and the main contractor in UAE with claim & counterclaim of around AED900m. Dubai seat & UAE/Dubai law.
• Co-arbitrator in a DIAC Rules commodity dispute relating to gas oil, naptha and gasoline product contracts with claim in excess of USD 90m. Dubai seat and English law.
• Co-arbitrator in a related DIAC Rules commodity dispute for about USD 742 million. Dubai seat and English law.
• Co-arbitrator in an SCCA Rules dispute relating to an asset sale and purchase contract in the fast- food sector (SAR 30 million). Riyadh seat and Saudi law.
•  Co-arbitrator in an LCIA Rules dispute arising from a Settlement Agreement in a complex shareholder dispute involving household names in the Middles East and Australia. DIFC seat and English law.
• Chairman of the Tribunal in a DIAC Arbitration between a global financial services provider and a Russian company arising out of a marketing agreement and its termination. DIFC seat. English Law.
•  Co-arbitrator in an ad hoc railway construction subcontract arbitration between a UAE subcontractor and an unincorporated international joint venture contractor. Dubai seat. UAE law.
• Sole Arbitrator in LMAA SCP charterparty claim for hire. English law. London seat.
• Sole Arbitrator in a DIAC Rules shipping dispute concerning Owner’s claims for charter hire for five vessels and charterers counterclaims (t.b.a.). UAE law. DIFC seat.

As Mediator  

Alec advised regularly on several mediations a year for many years as party counsel.  He usually sits several times a year as a mediator covering a wide range of sectors including shipping & ship building, I.T., hospitality, real estate, construction, insurance, healthcare and employment disputes.  

• B.A. HONS (OXON)
• Solicitor England & Wales (now non-practising)
• Solicitor Hong Kong (now non-practising) 

Professional Memberships

• Member of Saudi Centre For Commercial Arbitration Rules Advisory Committee (2019 Onwards) & SAUDI CENTER FOR COMMERCIA ARBITRATION COURT (SCCA COURT) (Nov 2022 - ongoing)
• Vice Chairman – ICC – UAE Commission On Arbitration & ADR (2016 To 2019) And Committee Member until 2024.  
• Member Of LCIA Court (From June 2015 To June 2020) 
• Chief Executive And Trustee DIFC Arbitration Institute (Nov 2015 to 20 September 2021) 
• Member DIFC Court Users’ Committee (2006 – Feb 2011 And 2014-2016) 
• Freeman Of The Worshipful Company Of Arbitrators 
• LMAA Supporting Member 
• Member Of Society Of Construction Lawyers 
• Founder Member Of IPBA 
• Member LCIA 
• Accredited CEDR Mediator 
• Fellow CIArb 

Arbitra Panels

• AAA-ICDR
• ADCCAC
• ADGM Arbitrators Panel
• ArbitrateAD
• AIAC (formerly known as KLRCA) (& certified adjudicator)
• ARIAS - ASIA
• BCDR-AAA
• CMAC
• CRCICA
• DIAC
• EMAC
• HKIAC
• KCAB
• SCCA
• SIAC (INC. EMERGENCY PANEL)
• SICAC (Takheem)
• SCIA
• Also appointed under ICC,GCCAC, LCIA, LMAA & DIFC-LCIA Rules
• EMIRATES RACING AUTHORITY APPEAL PANEL (2015-2018 & 2020-2025)

Alec has authored many articles for trade publications, arbitration and legal publications.  He has appeared on business radio and T.V. programmes as an arbitration and regional legal expert (although he no longer practices as a lawyer).  He speaks at many international trade, legal and arbitration conferences on diverse topics. 

• Author of Lexis Nexis User’s Guide to ADCCAC Rules 2014
• Author of DIFC-LCIA Arbitration Centre Rules (2016 & 2021)

Alec is credited with a no-nonsense style and a very diligent work ethic and approach to arbitration and mediation. Directories have described him as “disputes czar”,  “the dean of arbitration” and “incredibly knowledgeable”. He speaks and writes widely on arbitration topics. 

• Alec is listed as a leading individual for arbitration from 2009 to date by GAR/WWL. 
• “Disputes czar…” - Chambers Global 
• "Alec Emmerson is the most senior and experienced of all arbitrators as an expatriate in the Middle East." - Chambers Global 
• "Alec Emmerson never disappoints you. He is brilliant and fun to work with." - Chambers Global 
• "Alec Emmerson is on the ball and makes sure stuff gets done. He is important as an arbitrator and important for the legal community." - Chambers Global 
• “Incredibly knowledgeable” - Legal 500 
• “Dean of arbitration” - Newton Arbitration 
• "A robust independent arbitrator" - WWL 2022
• "An extremely experienced and seasoned arbitrator" - WWL 2022
• He has been recognized for many years in Who’s Who Legal for mediation, transport and insurance/reinsurance and as a highly recommended individual for the UAE in PLC Which Lawyer in the field of Dispute Resolution
• He features on the GAR Arbitrator Research Tool (“ART)  
• Platinum ranked on the Newton arbitration platform. 

He also features in Chambers 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Directories as one of the most in demand UAE arbitrators.