Shadha Zawawi

Biography

Shadha is a dual qualified dispute resolution lawyer with over 13 years of experience in representing clients in complex real estate, commercial and construction disputes before international arbitration tribunals. She advises developers, contractors, and corporate clients on high-stakes disputes, employing a pragmatic approach to navigate complex and nuanced issues. Currently a Senior Associate at Al Tamimi & Co, a leading law firm in the MENA region, she is based in the firm’s DIFC office in Dubai, where she focuses international arbitration matters and provides strategic dispute resolution advisory across key industry sectors including construction, real estate and commercial trade.

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Recent Experience

As Arbitrator/Arbitral Secretary

• Acted as Sole Arbitrator in DIAC arbitration regarding commercial dispute between UAE based companies relating to services agreement and supply of materials with claim amount of AED 2.2 million.
• Acted as Sole Arbitrator in DIAC arbitration regarding commercial dispute between UAE based companies relating to supply and delivery of safety materials.
• Acted as Sole Arbitrator in DIAC arbitration between UAE based companies with respect to a dispute under a lease agreement for a commercial unit.
• Acted as Arbitral Secretary to Tribunal in DIAC Arbitration between a Qatar branch of a US based company and a Qatari company relating to an agreement for services related to medical record system.
• Acted as Arbitral Secretary to Tribunal in DIAC Arbitration between individual buyer and seller relating to dispute arising out of a sale of real estate unit in Dubai.
• Acted as Arbitral Secretary to Tribunal in DIAC Arbitration between individual buyer and Dubai based company relating to dispute under a sale and purchase agreement for an off-plan unit in Dubai, UAE.

As Counsel

• Representing a UAE based contractor in a large construction dispute against a UAE developer.
• Representing a UAE based employer in a construction dispute before DIAC involving issues of delay and quantum.
• Representing a Qatar based company in a construction dispute before ICC arbitration proceedings.
• Representing a Qatar based company in a construction dispute before QICCA arbitration proceedings.
• Represented Middle East government entity in an ICC arbitration relating to construction of a plant.
• Represented an international financial institution in a dispute before DIAC involving complex procedural aspects relating to joinder and jurisdictional issues.
• Represented a Dubai based operator of high-end restaurants in ICC Arbitration against Australian company in relation to a dispute arising out of an agreement to grant intellectual property licensing rights to construct, develop and operate an international chain of restaurant in the Emirate of Dubai.
• Advised and acted for a Dubai arm of an Australian contracting company on DIAC Arbitration claims against the Employer arising out of a construction contract pertaining to trial excavation works for a canal project.
• Represented a Main Contractor, a Dubai arm of a New York based company in ICC Arbitration against UAE based subcontractor for a dispute arising out of a subcontract for MEP works in relation to construction of a large-scale data centre in Dubai with total claims amounting AED 22 million including counterclaims.
• Represented Dubai branch of Kuwait based Consultants in DIAC Arbitration against the Employer in relation to a dispute arising out of a consultancy services agreement for site supervision and site back-up for development of villa complex in Dubai.
• Advised a Kuwait based Master Developer on DIAC Arbitration claims against the Developer with respect to sale and purchase agreement for a plot in JLT for construction of mixed used development. Matter involved multiple claims relating to non-construction, termination and order for demolition along with claims for damages/costs. The matter was successfully settled.
• Assisted and advised a large UAE Group of companies on nullification of arbitral award worth approximately AED 2 billion pertaining to a construction dispute.
• Represented several individual buyers in 5 separate ADCCAC arbitrations against Abu Dhabi based developer relating to disputes arising out of sale and purchase agreements for real estate units in a project to be developed in Abu Dhabi.
• Acted as co-counsel for UAE based consultant in DIAC Arbitration for claims against a UAE based Developer under a consultancy services agreement for a mixed used development in Dubai. Claims involved order for payment for works performed and counterclaim for delay damages and negligence.
  Obtained successful award in favour of the client while successfully defending the entire counterclaim.
• Advised a large group of company in UAE on ratification of arbitral award worth AED 300 M and 400 M pertaining to construction dispute. Worked closely with the litigation team in Dubai Courts proceedings and advised on nullification of arbitral award worth AED 300 million pertaining to a construction dispute.
• Represented Kuwait based developer and successfully defended claims in DIAC Arbitration against BVI company relating to claim of termination of 7 furnished real estate units in a residential project in Dubai.
  Obtained successful award in favour of the client while successfully the entire claim.
• Represented individual buyer in DIAC Arbitration against UAE based real estate developer in a dispute arising out of a sale and purchase agreement for a luxury penthouse unit in Dubai Marina involving complex claims relating to handover delays, departure from agreed specifications and specific performance.
• Represented Kuwait based developer and successfully defended claims in DIAC Arbitration relating to construction agreement of a villa and termination of the plot purchase agreement by individual purchasers.
  Obtained successful award in favour of the client while successfully the entire claim.
• Represented several individual buyers in 2 separate multi-party disputes against UAE based developer before DIAC relating to off plan sale and purchase agreement for apartment units in Dubai.
• Represented a UAE company in a DIAC Arbitration regarding claims against UAE developer in relation to difference in size of real estate unit along with compensation for delay in construction.
• Represented individual buyers in DIAC Arbitration in relation to claims against UAE developer for compensation relating to difference in size of real estate unit and delay in construction.
• Represented individual buyer in DIAC Arbitration for claims against UAE Developer relating to purchase agreement for property in Downtown, Dubai. Claims included issues relating to departure from agreed specifications of the property and compensation for delay in handover.
• Represented several individual buyers in AjCCAC arbitrations against Ajman based developer with respect to disputes arising out of sale and purchase agreements for a real estate unit in Ajman.
• Represented individual buyer in IICRA Arbitration against UAE based developer in relation to a dispute arising out of a sale and purchase agreement for a real estate unit in Dubai.
• Advised a group of high-net-worth individuals on DIAC Arbitration claims against a UAE Developer with respect to sale and purchase of off-plan luxury villas in Dubai, two of which progressed to arbitration.
  Claims included termination of agreement, compensation for damages suffered, loss of opportunity and income.

Thought Leadership

MEMBERSHIPS AND LISTINGS

• Listed as qualified arbitrator at Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), Dubai, UAE.
• Listed as arbitrator in LCIA database of arbitrators.
• Listed arbitrator at Wasel & Wasel Arbitrator Services Inc., Toronto, Canada.
• Listed as arbitrator at Center for International Investment & Commercial Arbitration (CIICA)
• Listed as arbitrator in Ajman Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre (AjCCAC).
• DIAC 40 Member.
• ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) and ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC).

INVITATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

• Invited as guest lecturer at Durham Law School, Durham University, to give a talk to LLM and PhD students on role of UAE Courts in enforcement of arbitral award and recent technological trends in arbitration (February 2025).
• Invited by the Middlesex University Dubai as co-judge for the 3rd Criminal Advocacy Competition (January 2025).
• Invited as a speaker at the inaugural ‘International Arbitration in Pakistan’ conference, supported by UNCITRAL and SHIAC, and the Hangzhou Arbitration Commission (May 2018).
• Radio Interview by, “Strictly Professional”, City FM-89, Pakistan (2015).

NON-ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS

• The Aftermath of Decree 34: The Saga Continues in Singapore, Kluwer Arbitration Blog (18 April 2024) (co-author).
•  arbitrateAD Releases Arbitration Rules for Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre, Advancing Arbitration in Abu Dhabi, Al Tamimi & Co, News (7 February 2024), (co-author).
• Practice Notes for Gulf Legal Advisor (Lexis Nexis Middle East) on topics of arbitration.
• Outcome Related Fee Structures – Innovative Claim Funding Methods in International Arbitration (Originally published on the Wasel and Wasel Arbitrator Services Inc. website on 6 October 2022. Further published on Lexology on 6 October 2022, and Litigation Finance Insider on 10 September 2023).
• Online Arbitration in UAE- Embracing the Future (International Islamic Centre for Reconciliation and Arbitration Bulletin Issue No. 19 – 2022 titled “ADR: Islamic Economy and Expo 2020” (January 2022).
• Arbitrator’s Duty of Disclosure- Maintaining “the Badge of Impartiality” (PakArbitration Law, January 2021).
• Quoted in the Article “Will 10-year visas revolutionise talent management?” (cipd.ae 12 June 2018).
• Three things you need to know about UAE employment law (cipd.ae- 29 June 2016).
• Overtime culture rife in UAE – but most employees not compensated (cipd.ae- 22 June 2016).
• RENTING- Know your rights (Part One) (Ask Explorer- 9 September 2014).
• RENTING- Know your rights (Part Two) (Ask Explorer- 24 September 2014).