Ahmed Elfouli
Associate
Ahmed is a bilingual English qualified Associate who works across the contentious marine & trade, insurance and general commercial dispute resolution practices.
Associate
Ahmed is a bilingual English qualified Associate who works across the contentious marine & trade, insurance and general commercial dispute resolution practices.
Languages: Arabic, English
Jurisdictions: England & Wales, United Arab Emirates
Having completed a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) in Politics Philosophy and Law at King’s College London, he worked at an international law firm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a year before moving to Dubai to join a major shipping law firm where he completed his training and qualified as an Associate in March 2022.
Having moved to Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP in March 2024, he is regularly managing a number of high-profile complex case files in the commercial litigation, MTO and insurance practices, with his experience spanning the UAE, MENA Region and England and Wales, representing P&I Clubs, local and international insurers, shipping companies and commodity traders.
Ahmed acts as the first point of contact for clients, where he coordinates initial file organization, provides advisory to the clients, assists with devising and managing the case strategy, liaises with various team members and stakeholders including local counsel and experts, assists with drafting court submissions and all forms of letters and agreements, and manages the day to day conduct and reporting of case developments to the clients (in the event of litigation). Ahmed's ultimate goal is to ensure a streamlined and cost-effective matter resolution, and is regularly involved in settlement and reconciliation discussions with counterparties.
Cargo abandonment
Successfully negotiated a reduction of the Khor Fakkan Port Authority's claim for port dues, and conclusion of a commercial settlement with the Port Authority and the ship agent (whereby we managed to convince the Agent to contribute to the port dues)Bunker dispute
Successfully defended the claim brought by the vessel owners against our clients (the bunker suppliers) at first instance and appeal levels, and levied the costs against the vessel ownersCharterparty dispute
Successfully negotiated a settlement agreement with the vessel owners compelling them to make an upfront settlement payment and to arrange for release of cargo unlawfully discharged in Iran to the benefit of our clients (the time charterers).Casualty
Successfully represented our clients (the ship agent) in negotiations with the liable vessel's owners, charterers and relevant KSA authorities to negate the ship agent's liability for the sinking of the vessel and to avoid issuing any guarantee or indemnity to the sunken ship's owners or the KSA relevant authorities.Insurance coverage
Successfully defended our clients (the freight forwarder) before the Jeddah Court of First Instance (in the KSA), negating our client's liability for the alleged damages to the cargo during the voyage from France to Saudi Arabia.Real estate disputes
Successfully obtained a final court judgment against the former developers of a Dubai Sports City property development project.
Arbitral Award enforcement
Successfully obtained Dubai Court execution orders recognizing Chinese seated arbitral awards against a UAE based materials trader and commenced compulsory enforcement measures against them.
Client – Nullification of Arbitral Award
Successfully obtained a final judgment from the Abu Dhabi Court of Cassation in favour of our clients, which nullified the DIAC arbitral award on the basis of constitutional grounds.
International trademark infringement (yacht brand)
Successfully negotiated a settlement agreement with the hotel owners permitting our clients to use a different design for the same trademark.
