Stephenson Harwood

Head of general commercial litigation and international arbitration for the Middle East

John is the head of dispute resolution and international arbitration for the Middle East, with over fifteen years' experience practicing in the region. He specialises in handling regional and international commercial litigation and arbitration disputes spanning various industries and sectors.

With a solid track record, John consistently obtains successful outcomes for his clients. He skillfully guides them through the dispute resolution process in both common and civil law jurisdictions, providing advice that takes into account the practical aspects of operating in and out of the region.

John's technical expertise, coupled with his ability in assisting clients across various commercial disputes is acknowledged in prominent global legal directories. He is recognised as a 'Next Generation Partner' in the Legal 500 2024 Guide for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and International Litigation, and he is also ranked among leading individuals for Dispute Resolution in the Chambers and Partners Global 2024 Guide. He was also featured in the Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist Middle East (2022 and 2023), where clients describe him as a "a top-notch practitioner with a strong commercial litigation practice."

John’s extensive experience and reputation in managing high-profile professional negligence defence-related cases throughout the region have earned him recognition as the first UAE-based lawyer recommended as a 'Global Leader' for professional negligence disputes by Whos’ Who Legal’s Global Guide. Furthermore, he is listed as a 'Leader' for arbitration and commercial litigation within this guide.