John Lewis
Partner - Head of Commercial Litigation, Middle East
John is a leading dispute resolution expert advising clients on complex cross-border commercial litigation and international arbitration disputes throughout the Middle East.
Partner - Head of Commercial Litigation, Middle East
John is a leading dispute resolution expert advising clients on complex cross-border commercial litigation and international arbitration disputes throughout the Middle East.
Language - English
Jurisdictions - England & Wales, United Arab Emirates
John leads the Middle East General Commercial Disputes and International Arbitration practice for Stephenson Harwood, bringing over fifteen years of regional and international experience in successfully representing for clients across sectors and industries.
John acts on complex disputes before common and civil law jurisdictions and international arbitral tribunals. His experience includes handling disputes involving corporates and shareholders; real estate and construction projects; defending professional negligence claims in the audit, advisory and consultancy sectors; evolving technology and digital assets related issues; and representing clients operating in the UAE healthcare and insurance sectors.
John offers practical, commercially focused advice that is tailored to businesses and individuals operating in, and out, of the region. He creates and implements ego-free, solution-focussed strategies to allow his clients to get on with the business of doing business and his clients appreciate his ability to develop and deploy strong technical arguments as part of a wider strategy that protects their reputation; stakeholder interests; and most importantly, ongoing commercial relationships.
High-value professional negligence case
Representing a global consultant in high-value professional negligence proceedings before Abu Dhabi Courts arising out of a major infrastructure project dispute.
Professional negligence claim against former legal advisor
Representing an individual pursuing proceedings against former legal counsel with respect to the provision of negligence advice and legal services.
Shareholder and board liability dispute
Representing a senior executive in a complex shareholder and board liability dispute before the Dubai Courts.
+US$1 million contract and fiduciary claims
Representing a senior executive in proceedings concerning alleged breaches of contract and fiduciary duties including defending +US$1 million claims and pursuing related counterclaims against a UAE investment company.
Big Four +US$1 billion proceedings
Representing a Big Four professional services firm in a +US$ 1 billion proceedings before the Dubai Courts arising from alleged professional negligence in the provision of audit and advisory services to a major listed company
DIAC arbitration relating to a trade supply contract
Representing a UAE-based trading entity in DIAC arbitration proceedings relating to payments under a supply contract and counterclaims for non-delivery and recovery of pre-payments under related contracts.
DIAC arbitration relating to major development project
Representing a leading UAE Master Developer in high-value DIAC arbitration proceedings defending claims for losses arising out of the cancellation of a major development project and alleged breaches of implied terms in a development agreement.
DIFC and Dubai Courts proceedings and concurrent arbitration proceedings
Representing a Dubai-based entity in confidential arbitration proceedings brought by a European State entity seeking to recover amounts in excess of US$ 350 million, including pursuing relating causes of action before the DIFC and Dubai Courts.
Indian seated arbitrations for a private equity firm
Representing a leading private equity firm in concurrent Indian seated arbitrations relating to an underlying shareholder dispute and the enforcement of associated indemnities and guarantees.
