Mr Khurram Ali > Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Lawyer Profile

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP
LEVEL 13
BURJ DAMAN BUILDING
DIFC, P.O. BOX 482017
United Arab Emirates
Khurram Ali photo

Work Department

Maritime, Commercial Disputes, International Arbitration

Position

Partner

Personal

Khurram is a partner based in the Middle East with specialist knowledge of the KSA, UAE and the UK markets. He primarily specialises in dispute resolution with a particular focus on the maritime, transportation, oil & gas, international trade and ports/terminal sectors, as well as general commercial litigation. Additionally, he brings extensive expertise in non-contentious matters within these sectors and provides general corporate advice to clients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

With over two decades of experience, Khurram provides advice to shipowners, charterers, terminal/port operators, logistics companies, P&I Clubs, traders, offshore operators/shipowners, governmental bodies and various other local and international companies. He advises on a wide range of disputes relating to debt recovery, charterparty, commodities sale and purchase contracts and COA disputes including seaworthiness, off-hire, withdrawal from hire, safe port/berth, early redelivery, off-spec bunkers, as well as ship arrests, general average, groundings, collisions/allisions and cargo claims.

Before his current position, Khurram worked at a prominent international law firm, initially in Dubai and later relocating to Riyadh to establish and lead their shipping practice. Following this, he was recruited by another top-tier international law firm to assist with their expansion into the Saudi market and spearhead their operations in the country. Earlier in his career, he worked at a major International Group P&I Club, advising its members, primarily Korean shipowners (with whom he still maintains close ties) on FD&D and P&I claims. Additionally, he held a position as a part-time law lecturer at the University of Westminster in the UK.

Clients benefit from Khurram’s extensive experience in managing disputes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the High Court in London and Courts throughout the UAE. He also represents clients before various arbitral institutes including LMAA, ICC, LCIA, DIAC and AAA. He has also provided advice on matters concerning other GCC jurisdictions and numerous jurisdictions globally.

In addition to his contentious work, Khurram drafts amends and reviews various maritime contracts such as sale and purchase agreements for vessels, commodities, terms and conditions and bills of lading (house and NVOCC) for major maritime and logistics companies/freight forwarders throughout the region, as well as terms of use and concession agreements for ports/terminal operators.

Khurram has a proven track record in supporting international businesses on
foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, establishing himself as a trusted advisor for businesses pursuing opportunities in the Saudi market. Leveraging his substantial experience in corporate work, he has successfully advised numerous clients through complex legal matters.

Lawyer Rankings

United Arab Emirates > Shipping

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP works widely across maritime disputes, corporate advisory, and maritime asset finance, with particular expertise handling complex, high-value cases in the Middle East and internationally. The firm has a speciality in contentious matters including conventional litigation and international arbitration concerning both dry and wet shipping issues. Rania Tadros leads the global maritime and offshore practice, while Mohamed El Hawawy heads the shipping and insurance practice for the Middle East, bringing extensive litigation experience in marine insurance and transportation disputes. Other key figures include Khurram Ali, noted for his experience in the KSA, and Mark Lakin, who is described as ‘knowledgeable and approachable’. Saif Almobideen continues to act on some the most high-profile civil law litigation, crisis management and marine insurance matters to occur in the region and Menelaus Kouzoupis also acts on many leading super-yachts and sanctions related matters. Chinar Zaidi and Paul Katsouris also come recommended.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP strengthened its disputes offering with the 2024 hires of John Lewis, formerly of Charles Russell Speechlys, who now leads the team, and Mohamed ElHawawy and Khurram Ali, who both joined from Ince & Co. Additionally, construction specialist Ron Nobbs relocated from the firm’s London office in October 2024. These additions add to an already deep team of advisors well-positioned to act on the full range of disputes,  often multi-jurisdictional. Lewis has longstanding experience in professional negligence claims, and Rania Tadros is sought out for supply chain and shareholder issues. A specialist in the shipping sector, Mark Lakin is valued by clients for his expertise in fraud disputes. Philip Clarke brings further capabilities in contentious regulatory matters, internal investigations and cross-border enforcement proceedings to the fore, while Saif Almobideen’s practice focuses on civil law matters. Magda Kofluk adds support on construction disputes.