
Nabeel Ikram

DIFC
Office 1207 Index Tower
P.O. Box 504945
Dubai, United Arab Emirates





Nabeel serves as Head of International Disputes – MENA. He is ranked as a leading lawyer for construction and dispute resolution by The Legal 500, Chambers Global and Who’s Who Legal, and has over two decades of experience advising clients on contentious engineering and construction matters. He is vastly experienced in arbitration under a variety of rules, including the DIAC, the ICC, and the LCIA as well as ad-hoc arbitrations. Having moved to Dubai from London in 2008, he is one of the most experienced practitioners in the region in his fields.
Although most disputes he handles have International Arbitration as the forum, Nabeel has significant court experience and had conduct of the first construction case before the DIFC Courts and the first ever case before the ADGM Courts. He also has extensive experience of all forms of ADR.
Having successfully represented clients on some of the largest and most complicated disputes the region has ever seen, it is little wonder Nabeel is highly regarded by his peers and considered as a leading authority on engineering and construction matters across the Middle East.
Although best known for his disputes practice he has drafted the contract documentation used by market-leading developers and negotiated contracts on their behalf for some of the largest projects in the region. He also acts as project counsel for clients, assisting them with risk management and claims preparation in order to achieve their commercial objectives while avoiding a formal dispute.
In addition to construction disputes, Nabeel has vast experience of handling commercial disputes including relating to shareholder disputes, Islamic finance transactions, SPAs, put options, franchise, management, services, licensing, and distribution agreements across a range of sectors. These include energy, leisure, hospitality, financial services, banking, insurance IT/tech, education and health.
Experience Highlights
Acting for a contractor on a multi-billion dirham claim in DIAC arbitration proceedings in regard to a high profile mixed-use development in Dubai
Acting for an employer in a multi-billion dirham claim in DIAC arbitration proceedings; the matter related to a major infrastructure project in the Middle East
Representing a developer in ICC arbitration proceedings in relation to a AED120m extension of time dispute; the project related to twin towers in Dubai
Representing a subcontractor in DIAC arbitration proceedings in relation to a AED200m dispute against the main contractor following termination; the project related to a mixed-use development in Dubai comprising of a mall, residences and a hotel
Representing an employer in LCIA arbitration proceedings relating to a dispute concerning the refurbishment of an offshore oil production facility in Qatar
Acting for an employer in ad hoc arbitration proceedings in respect of claims made by a contractor in relation to an infrastructure project in Dubai
Advising and negotiating on behalf of a developer for the contract documentation for a design and build project comprising an office and residential tower in Dubai
Reviewing and updating the standard forms of construction contracts for a developer and advising on the same in relation to major infrastructure works in the UAE
Credentials
- M.Sc., Construction Law and Arbitration, King’s College London, 2003
- M.A., Jurisprudence, University of Oxford, St Catherine’s College, 1996
- Legal 500 UK, Real Estate: Construction, 2023
- Who’s Who Legal, Ranked as a Leading Individual in construction, 2014–2021
- Legal 500 EMEA, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and International Litigation, 2014–2021 and 2023
- Legal 500 EMEA, Construction: UAE, “Leading Lawyer,” 2014–2023
- Chambers Global, Construction: Dispute Resolution (UAE), 2014–2023
- England and Wales
- Dubai International Financial Centre Courts
- Rankings & AwardsFebruary 16, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsSeptember 29, 2022
- InsightJuly 21, 2022
- Rankings & AwardsApril 27, 2022
- InsightMarch 21, 2022
V&E International Dispute Resolution Update
- Press ReleaseMarch 1, 2022