Olivia Kyriakides
Associate
Olivia is an English-qualified Associate in our Maritime, Trade and Offshore team based in Dubai.
Biography
Languages - English, Greek
Jurisdictions - England & Wales, United Arab Emirates
Olivia advises traders, shipowners, and energy and commodities clients across the Middle East and internationally on a wide range of shipping, international trade, and offshore disputes, as well as day-to-day commercial matters.
Her experience includes assisting with disputes arising under commodities sale contracts, force majeure and termination issues, offshore construction contracts, and shipping-related matters. Olivia regularly works on arbitrations under LMAA, SIAC, DIAC, and LCIA Rules, as well as litigation before the English High Court and DIFC Courts. She provides strategic guidance on case management, liability and quantum assessments, and pre-action correspondence. Her expertise also covers non-contentious maritime work, including vessel sales and acquisitions.
Experience
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Charter chain redelivery and sanctions dispute
Assisting Dubai-based disponent owners in LMAA arbitration against tanker sub-charterers under an amended SHELLTIME 4 charter, on an invalid extension option, late redelivery, unpaid AWRP and crew war bonuses and breach of sanctions warranties, with a linked USD 103m head owners’ claim.
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Sanctions-related non-payment claim (SIAC)
Assisting a Dubai trader in Singapore-seated SIAC arbitration proceedings to recover over USD 9.1m in prepayment refunds and unpaid balances under three English law fuel oil contracts, rebutting the buyer’s reliance on US sanctions concerns to withhold payment for product already delivered.
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Letter of credit and demurrage dispute (SIAC)
Acting for a buyer and its payment agent responding to SIAC claims for interest, demurrage of half a million and additional costs under a CFR fuel oil sale, arguing the delay arose within the confirmed LC banking chain, asserting set-off and opposing consolidation.
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War risk premium and repudiation claims
Advising tanker charterers on owners’ wrongful cancellation of a Black Sea voyage charter under VOYWAR 2013, accepting the repudiation, challenging USD 3m in AWRP and war loss of hire invoices against market rates, and pursuing a freight differential damages claim.
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Demurrage and NOR validity disputes
Acting for charterers on invalid notices of readiness where vessels lacked compliant mooring shackles or valid SIRE inspections, including commencing London arbitration proceedings to recover overpaid demurrage, and negotiating settlement of an AED 8m demurrage claim after a terminal drone attack.
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Terminal services agreement dispute (DIAC)
Assisting the respondent in DIAC arbitration proceedings on claims of AED 7.37m under a terminal services agreement, preparing opening submissions arguing the claimant’s failure to present a settlement cheque breached the duty to cooperate under DIFC law, limiting liability to AED 2.75m.
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Offshore construction subcontract disputes
Advising a Gulf marine contractor on English law remedies on Qatar and Bahrain offshore projects, covering contractor non-payment, a USD 3m first-demand guarantee and repudiation risk, and drafting a notice rejecting a USD 4.1m back-charge ahead of potential LCIA arbitration.
