Habib Al Mulla & Partners

Dispute Resolution, Litigation, and Arbitration

Founder

Dr. Habib Al Mulla is one of the UAE's most respected legal authorities. He has over 41 years of experience in UAE law and has drafted many of the modern legislative structures in place in Dubai today. Dr. Habib is a strong advocate for the modernization of UAE Laws. He is a frequent commentator on legislative, economic, and social issues in the country, and is often commissioned to draft and advise on laws at both the federal level and in the Emirate of Dubai. Dr. Al Mulla has held several leadership positions throughout his distinguished professional career, reflecting his lasting influence on the UAE’s legal landscape.

Dr. Al Mulla is the architect of the legal framework that created the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the UAE’s first financial free zone. He previously served as:

Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) Member, UAE Federal National Council (Parliament), including the Legislative Committee (reviewing federal laws) and Economic Committee (reviewing national financial and economic policies) Director, Institute of Advanced Legal and Judicial Studies (training judges and prosecutors in Dubai) President, UAE Lawyers Association

Dr. Al Mulla has acted in high-profile cases at both the domestic and international levels. As an international arbitrator and leading expert in UAE law, he is frequently called upon to testify before foreign courts and international arbitral tribunals on UAE and wider Arab laws.

He is also a prolific author, having published numerous books and articles on law and economics in the UAE, including a two-volume work, “Harvest of a Lifetime”, summarising his writings on law, politics, economics, and society in the UAE. He is a regular media commentator and a sought-after speaker at major events in the UAE and globally.

Arbitrator Appointment:

Chair, private arbitration regarding a major construction project in Oman Sole arbitrator in ICC arbitration in Qatar on a large-scale construction project between two Middle Eastern companies Co-arbitrator in ICC arbitration in Qatar between an Indian and a UAE company regarding a major construction project Sole arbitrator in DCCI arbitration over a construction contract dispute between two UAE companies Co-arbitrator in multi-million-dollar DIAC arbitration concerning a twin-tower development in Dubai Co-arbitrator in PCA multi-million-dollar arbitration over a sugar project in Mauritania Co-arbitrator in UNCITRAL arbitration over a power generation project in Jordan Party-appointed arbitrator in ICC arbitrations in London over iron ore supply contracts between Indian and UAE companies

Counsel Appointment:

Co-counsel to the Government of Dubai (with an international law firm) in port concession disputes under ICSID and DIAC rules Counsel to a respondent in DIAC arbitration over AED 500 million Dubai development project Counsel in a series of private arbitrations over AED 100 million subcontracting disputes in major Dubai construction projects Counsel in ICC arbitration for a global top 100 technology company in a AED 50 million dispute over works at Dubai International Airport Counsel in DIAC multi-million-dirham disputes involving schools, hotels, oil fields, and landmark projects in the UAE

Expert Appointment:

UAE law expert in ICC arbitration concerning the satellite industry UAE law expert in DIFC arbitration on bankruptcy and damages UAE law expert in major case before Hong Kong courts UAE law expert in UK High Court case on banking and real estate transactions UAE law expert in ICC arbitration concerning technology supply agreements

Dr. Habib has been consistently recognised by Chambers and Partners as a Senior Statesperson in the Dispute Resolution category for six consecutive years, reflecting his enduring influence and standing in the market.

English, Arabic

Board Member, Dubai International Chamber Board Member, Academy of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) Board Member, Board of Trustees of the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA) Member, Technical Decisions Board of the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) Member, International Arbitration Subcommittee of the Russian Arbitration Center (RAC) Member, Panel of Arbitrators for the Hainan International Arbitration Court (HIAC) Member, of a special committee, at the Syrian Investment Authority (SIA) Chair, UAE Branch, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dubai International Arbitration Centre (2015–2019) Member, ICC Institute and UAE National Committee of ICC Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) Member, Expert Committee, TECOM Free Zone, Dubai Chairman, Dubai Financial Services Authority (2003–2006) Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, American University in Dubai Member, Board of Trustees, Dubai School of Government Member, Federal National Council (2000–2002) Board Member, Academy of AIAC Member, Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA) Board Member, Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA)

Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge (1993) Master of Law from Harvard Law School (1987) LL.B. in Shari'a and Law from the UAE University (1984)