The ‘exceptionally bright’ team at Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy is lauded by clients for its extensive experience handling complex arbitrations under the laws of numerous jurisdictions, including Egypt, Algeria, the UAE, Oman, Germany, the UK and the US. John Matouk heads up the broader dispute resolution group, with Amr Abbas leading the arbitration department. ’Superstar’ Ahmed Abdelhakeem is a go-to for high-stakes commercial and investment arbitrations. In team news, both Mohamed Sallam and Mohamed Samy made partner in July 2025. The firm’s sector-focused approach, which is supported by the presence of 18 specialised industry groups, facilitates expertise across industries as diverse as construction, pharmaceuticals and tourism.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The firm is consistently responsive, forward-thinking, and client-centred. They don’t just react to issues; they anticipate risks and proactively shape strategies that protect and advance our position. Their mix of cross-border experience and deep local insight gives us real confidence, whether the matter is domestic, international, or both.'
- ‘The arbitration team led by Amr Abbas is exceptionally bright and business oriented. They are great people to work with.’
- ‘Amr Abbas is everything you would want arbitration counsel to be. He is exceptionally bright, proactive, has great business sense, and is wonderful to work with.’
- ‘Our recent case was handled with exceptional skill and precision. The firm's deep expertise in our specialised field was evident throughout the process. What was truly impressive was their ability to not only win our claim but also to successfully defend us against a significant counterclaim. This demonstrated a comprehensive, proactive approach that went far beyond what we expected.'
- 'Their team was professional, highly responsive, and consistently provided clear, strategic advice, making a complex legal battle feel manageable.'
- ‘I've had a fantastic experience working with this firm. What truly makes the individuals stand out is their deep specialisation. It's rare to find a team that combines such legal acumen with a granular knowledge of the technical and commercial aspects of a project.'
Key clients
- Nogoom Football Club
- GB Auto
Work highlights
Represented GB Auto in an investment arbitration case against Algeria under the UNCITRAL Rules, based on the Egypt-Algeria BIT.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Ahmed Abdelhakeem
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Mohamed Sallam
Mohamed Samy
Practice head
John Matouk; Amr Abbas
Other key lawyers
Ahmed Abdelhakeem; Mohamed Sallam; Mohamed Samy