Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP

Maritime, Dispute Resolution, International Arbitration, Ship Sale and Purchase

Managing Associate

Paul is a dual qualified managing associate (England & Wales and Greece) in the maritime, trade and offshore team based in Dubai. He advises on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters for clients such as ship owners, P&I Clubs, charterers, banks, traders, bunker suppliers, family offices, private investors and energy companies.

Paul is known for his commercial outlook and has a reputation for managing complex transactions in an entrepreneurial, methodical, and effective manner. He is regularly instructed on vessel and yacht sale and purchase transactions, fleet expansion projects and other commercial contracts.

On the contentious side, he is known for his pragmatic approach to handling and settling legal disputes, which usually focused around the maritime and trade industries, including cargo, sale and purchase, and bunker disputes. Having spent several years in the Middle East, he has developed a comprehensive knowledge of the UAE laws and systems, allowing him a better understanding of both the Common law jurisdictions of the DIFC and ADGM, as well as the Civil law system of the local UAE courts. Throughout his career he has been involved in matters before the English High Court, the UAE local and DIFC Courts, as well as complex international arbitrations under the LMAA and LCIA Rules.

Paul has received a number of notable accolades throughout his career, including 'DIFC Young Lawyer of the Year' at the DIFC Legal Gala and 'Young Person of the Year' at the Seatrade Maritime Awards. Most recently, he was recognised in Seatrade's annual '20 under 40: Leaders of Tomorrow' list, and has been involved in several deals that have won regional awards as 'Deal of the Year'.

Paul is also an active member of the UAE’s technology and start-up communities.