Ms Chinar Zaidi > Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Lawyer Profile

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.

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP maintains a broad banking and finance practice, with a notable rise in project and real estate financing mandates, representing both sponsors and lenders across the Middle East. The firm is also active in multi-jurisdictional general lending, acquisition finance, and refinancing and restructuring deals, offering both conventional and Islamic finance capabilities. Department head Rustum Shah advises a diverse client base on a wide range of domestic and cross-border transactions, with a focus on Islamic finance. Murtaza Hussain is recognised as an ‘exceptional young talent,‘ particularly for his expertise in debt and securitisation structures. Chinar Zaidi also comes recommended for her broad practice which includes project finance, asset finance and structured finance. Nijoe Joseph departed the firm in October 2023.