Profile
Stephen specialises in the resolution of complex disputes. With particular experience in construction, arbitration and energy and infrastructure, he represents owners, contractors, subcontractors, construction industry professionals, and funders in dispute resolution proceedings, both in the Middle East and internationally. He also has a broad commercial practice, advising and representing clients across a range of other industry sectors. Stephen has been based full-time in the Middle East since 2012.
Stephen appears as an advocate regularly in international arbitration, in the DIFC and ADGM courts, and in the High Court. He appears usually as lead or “first chair” in cases that are high-value, technically complex and/or that involve large volumes of evidence. He is used to appearing before and against senior advocates and barristers, including King’s Counsel (formerly Queen’s Counsel) and Senior Counsel.
Prior to joining 39 Essex Chambers in 2026, Stephen was a partner and Co-Head of Construction (Middle East) for Addleshaw Goddard in Dubai. Before that, Stephen was a partner at a leading American firm.
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Harvey Scott
Senior Practice Manager
Additional Information
Admissions
- Barrister (Middle Temple) (2026)
- Full rights of advocacy (Part II), Courts of the Dubai International Financial Centre (2012)
- Registered Legal Consultant, Dubai (2012)
- Solicitor-Advocate (All Courts), England and Wales (2008)
- Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales (2006)
Recognition
- Chambers Global (UAE), Construction: Dispute Resolution (2026) – Band 1 (and a recommended lawyer since 2014)
- Legal 500 (EMEA), Construction (2026) – a “Leading Partner”
- Lexology Index, Construction (2026) – a “Global Elite Thought Leader”
- Lexology Index , Arbitration (2026) – “Highly Recommended”
- Chambers Global (Middle East Wide), Dispute Resolution – a recommended lawyer in the 2021 to 2025 editions
- Chambers Global (UAE), Dispute Resolution – a recommended lawyer in the 2017 to 2020 editions
- Legal 500 Middle East Arbitration Power List (2023)
- Legal 500 (EMEA), Construction – a “Next Generation Lawyer” in the 2017 to 2020 editions and a “Key Lawyer” in 2021 to 2025 editions
Additional Information
Admissions
- Barrister (Middle Temple) (2026)
- Full rights of advocacy (Part II), Courts of the Dubai International Financial Centre (2012)
- Registered Legal Consultant, Dubai (2012)
- Solicitor-Advocate (All Courts), England and Wales (2008)
- Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales (2006)
Recognition
- Chambers Global (UAE), Construction: Dispute Resolution (2026) – Band 1 (and a recommended lawyer since 2014)
- Legal 500 (EMEA), Construction (2026) – a “Leading Partner”
- Lexology Index, Construction (2026) – a “Global Elite Thought Leader”
- Lexology Index , Arbitration (2026) – “Highly Recommended”
- Chambers Global (Middle East Wide), Dispute Resolution – a recommended lawyer in the 2021 to 2025 editions
- Chambers Global (UAE), Dispute Resolution – a recommended lawyer in the 2017 to 2020 editions
- Legal 500 Middle East Arbitration Power List (2023)
- Legal 500 (EMEA), Construction – a “Next Generation Lawyer” in the 2017 to 2020 editions and a “Key Lawyer” in 2021 to 2025 editions
Contact Us
Harvey Scott
Senior Practice Manager
Areas Of Expertise
- Appeared as advocate in a DIAC arbitration (Dubai) in a dispute with a main contractor regarding the construction of a high-profile hotel and residential tower development in Dubai.
- Advising and appearing as advocate in a SCCA arbitration (Riyadh) in proceedings between the owner and EPC contractor regarding the design and construction of a reverse osmosis desalination facility in the KSA. As part of this matter, Stephen successfully resisted an application to an Emergency Arbitrator in which the contractor sought orders that would have restrained a call on the contractor’s performance guarantees.
- Represented an owner in ICC arbitration proceedings (Doha) brought by a main contractor in respect of a major regional transportation project. These proceedings involved claims for extensions of time, prolongation, disruption and acceleration costs, together with substantial counterclaims, with total amounts in dispute of approximately US$ 1.5 billion. Stephen appeared as lead advocate (against a senior KC and two juniors from the English bar) at a four-week merits hearing that took place in February and March 2024.
- Appearing as lead advocate for an EPC contractor in LCIA arbitration proceedings (London) brought against it by the owner in connection with a gas expansion project in the Middle East. Total amounts in dispute in this matter exceed US$ 1.5 billion.
- Appearing as advocate in DIFC court proceedings seeking to set aside an arbitral award made against an employer in respect of a mixed-use construction project in Dubai.
- Acting and appearing as lead advocate for a main contractor in an LCIA arbitration (London) on claims brought against a subcontractor following the termination of its subcontract for default. This dispute arises out of the construction of a major regional refinery project.
- Appeared as lead advocate in UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings (Dubai) for a main contractor in defending substantial claims brought against it by a subcontractor in connection with an oilfield expansion project in the Middle East.
- Appeared as lead advocate in ICC arbitration proceedings (Istanbul) arising out of alleged defective work in connection with the construction of a geothermal power plant in Turkey. This matter resulted in an award in his client’s favour following a two-week hearing in Istanbul.
- Instructed as lead advocate by the developer in DAB proceedings arising out of the construction of a major hospitality and infrastructure project in Dubai.
- Represented an international contractor in three separate ICC arbitration proceedings (ADGM) brought against an employer in connection with power projects in the Middle East.
- Advised and represented a subcontractor in an ICC arbitration (Mumbai) on claims relating to the onshore fabrication and offshore installation of an offshore process platform, involving additional costs and delays resulting from late revisions to AFC drawings, and following a hearing at which Stephen appeared as advocate, received an award entirely in our client’s favour together with a substantial award of costs and interest.
- Advised and represented Samsung Engineering in an ICSID arbitration (Washington) regarding claims arising from the construction of a large oil-fired power plant, brought under a bilateral investment treaty, with Stephen appearing as lead advocate at a two-week merits hearing.
- Advised an EPC contractor in DIFC-LCIA arbitration (DIFC) proceedings against its consortium partner arising out of the design and construction of a major infrastructure project in Saudi Arabia. Following a three-week merits hearing at which Stephen appeared as lead advocate, our client received an award that dismissed virtually all claims against it, and which resulted in a net payment to our client.
- Advised an IOC in two ICC arbitrations (London) arising out of the construction of a production and drilling platform and a separate moored floating platform, involving significant defects claims and claims for costs resulting from delay to completion.
- Advised and represented a UAE government entity in an ad-hoc arbitration (Dubai) in a dispute with a main contractor regarding the construction of a process plant in the UAE, concerning claims for acceleration, disruption, and disputed variations, and following a three-week hearing at which Stephen appeared as lead advocate, the vast majority of the claims against our client were rejected, with a substantial costs award issued in our client’s favour.
- Advised and represented a Dubai government-related entity in an ICC arbitration (Dubai) over the construction of a “supertall” mixed-use tower in Dubai, and following two merits hearings at which Stephen appeared as lead advocate, our client received an award dismissing virtually all of the claims against it and upholding over 90% of our client’s counterclaims, together with a substantial award of costs.
- Advised and represented a contractor in a DIAC arbitration (Dubai) in a dispute with an employer regarding the termination of a contract for construction of a mixed-use development in Dubai, and following a merits hearing at which Stephen appeared as lead counsel (against a senior KC), our client received an award in our client’s favour on all claims, together with an award of all our client’s costs.
- Advised and acted for a Middle-Eastern refinery owner in an ICC arbitration (London) in an EPC dispute with a main contractor, with the proceedings ultimately settled on terms favourable to our client.
- Appeared as advocate in the DIFC Courts in a successful application for immediate judgment on claims relating to a construction project in Kuwait.
- Advised and represented a global engineering firm in the Qatar Courts and in a multi-party mediation of claims relating to the design and construction of a highway in Qatar.
- Acted for a charitable foundation in ICC arbitration proceedings (Riyadh) arising out of the construction of a large educational facility in Riyadh.
- Party-nominated arbitrator in ICC arbitration proceedings (Dubai) relating to a construction project in the UAE.
- Presiding Arbitrator (on the nomination of the party-appointed arbitrators) in consolidated DIFC-LCIA arbitration proceedings regarding the construction of three residential housing complexes in Dubai.
- Sole arbitrator appointed by the ICC in ADGM-seated arbitration proceedings arising out of a contract for the fit-out of office facilities in Abu Dhabi.
- Party-nominated arbitrator in DIAC arbitration proceedings (Dubai) relating to the construction and fit-out of three hotels in Dubai.
- Party-nominated arbitrator in ICC arbitration proceedings (Dubai) between a main contractor and an employer in respect of the construction of a mixed-use (commercial and residential) facility in Dubai.
- Party-nominated arbitrator in DIAC arbitration proceedings (Dubai) regarding the construction of a residential housing complex in Dubai.
- Party-nominated arbitrator in UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings (Abu Dhabi) arising out of a contract for the supply of engineering services for a construction project in Abu Dhabi.
- Party-nominated arbitrator in a DIAC arbitration proceedings (Dubai) to determine claims brought by a purchaser against a developer in connection with the sale of a high-value private residence in Dubai.
- Advised as sole arbitrator appointed in DIAC arbitration proceedings (Dubai) arising out of a contract for the supply of security and facilities management services to a residential apartment complex in Dubai.
- Advised as sole arbitrator appointed in DIAC arbitration proceedings (Dubai) to determine claims arising out of a contract for the supply of materials for a construction project in Dubai.
- Represented and appeared as advocate for a private security contractor in multiple DIAC arbitration proceedings (Dubai) arising out of contracts for the supply of armed security personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq.
- Acted and appeared as advocate for an international school in HKIAC arbitration proceedings (Hong Kong) defending claims brought against it by a Korean developer following the abortive sale of a plot of land for the construction of a new campus in Cambodia.
- Appeared as advocate for the Turkish branch of an American company in LCIA arbitration proceedings (London) to recover substantial sums due under two long-term services agreements.
- Represented an Omani entity in ICC arbitration proceedings (London) defending claims brought against it in respect of alleged breaches of a long-term agreement for the supply of propylene.
- Appeared as advocate in the DIFC courts in a successful application for immediate judgment on claims for the recovery of sums owed for the long-term rental of generators.
- Represented a UK-based bank in its defence to ICC DOCDEX proceedings, brought in respect of alleged breaches of URC 522.
- Represented the designer of a water park in English High Court proceedings defending claims brought against it based on alleged defective and negligent design.
- Represented an investment bank in a ICC arbitration proceedings (Geneva) concerning the interpretation of Belgian-law joint venture agreements in connection with the development of self-storage facilities across Europe. These proceedings resulted in an award in our client’s favour following a two-week merits hearing in Brussels.
- Acted and appeared as advocate for a UK charity in English High Court proceedings against a former trustee who had misappropriated sums whilst the charity’s treasurer. As part of this case, Stephen (appearing as advocate) obtained a worldwide freezing injunction against the former trustee’s bank accounts, following which we were able to recover the stolen funds in full.
- Appeared as advocate for Italian airline in ICC arbitration proceedings (London) brought against a Spanish airline arising out of a series of “wet” leases. Following a merits hearing in London, Stephen secured an award in his client’s favour on all heads of claim, together with a substantial award in respect of costs.
- Represented an Indian mine owner in SIAC arbitration proceedings involving claims against an Australian counterparty under contract for the supply of coal.
- Represented a global power equipment manufacturer in SCC arbitration proceedings (Stockholm) brought claims against a Chinese boiler manufactured for breaches of a license agreement for CFB technology. These proceedings resulted in a substantial award of damages in favour of Stephen’s client, together with declarations and orders restraining ongoing and future breaches.
- Represented a Russian individual in linked LCIA arbitration proceedings (London) arising out the sale and purchase of a telecommunications retail conglomerate. These claims were settled on favourable terms following a two-day mediation.
- Acted for the U.S. subsidiary of a global energy company in UNCTIRAL arbitration proceedings seated in Houston regarding claims brought against it by an Italian joint venture partner for alleged breaches of a “farm in” agreement in connection with an onshore block in Italy.
