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Joseph Chedrawe

Partner

Dubai +971 4 247 2111

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Joseph Chedrawe is an accomplished disputes practitioner with experience in more than 30 countries across four continents, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. He has acted as counsel in more than 40 international engineering, construction, and commercial arbitrations under all of the major arbitral institutions and in ad-hoc proceedings. Joseph also litigates cross-border disputes and appears before the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts.

    Joseph represents multinational corporations, state entities, and private clients in large-scale, high-value disputes, with a focus on mega projects in the energy, infrastructure, industrial, and residential sectors. Prior to the Middle East, he practiced in Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Joseph is a qualified barrister and solicitor and a skilled advocate before courts and arbitral tribunals. He is also regularly called upon to sit as an independent arbitrator, especially in relation to disputes in the Middle East. Joseph has experience in investigations as well.

    According to Chambers Global (2024 edition), "Joseph stands out as an exceptionally talented and savvy lawyer with excellent customer-service skills." He is recognized as a 2023 Global Leader in Arbitration by Who’s Who Legal who describes that “he always impresses with his exceptional legal mind and laser focus on developing the very best strategy for a winning case” and “when it comes to construction and engineering disputes, he is an absolute powerhouse.”

    In 2024, Joseph was appointed King’s Counsel.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Advised a global contractor in an ICC arbitration regarding a major infrastructure project in Saudi Arabia.
    • Advised a global engineering company in relation to Saudi regulation and licensing.
    • Advised a Japanese contractor in an ICC arbitration regarding a major infrastructure project in Qatar.
    • Advised a minority shareholder in a dispute with the majority shareholders over a major technology start-up.
    • Advised a European contractor in litigation and arbitration regarding waste-to-energy facilities in Europe.
    • Advised a Middle Eastern hospitality company in a dispute with its JV partner.
    • Advised a group of shareholders before the Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal of the Dubai International Financial Centre in relation to a technology dispute.
    • Advised a multinational pharmaceutical company in relation to Saudi regulation.
    • Advised the majority shareholder of a major food delivery application in relation to a sale and purchase dispute in the Middle East.
    • Acted on the Monitor Team for the Middle East and Africa in respect of a five-year United States Department of Justice monitorship of a major global financial institution.
    • Advised a UAE contractor in an arbitration regarding a major housing project in Dubai.
    • Advised a Hong Kong based company in a SIAC arbitration regarding an agreement in relation to one of the largest UAE energy projects.

    • Advised a Japanese and South Korean engineering and construction consortium in an arbitration regarding the engineering and construction of a multibillion dollar fertiliser complex in North Africa.
    • Advised a Gulf Cooperation Council government entity in two expert determinations and an arbitration regarding the construction and ongoing operations of a multibillion dollar independent water and power plant.
    • Advised a Gulf Cooperation Council government entity in an arbitration regarding the termination of a waste management contract.
    • Advised a consortium of South Korean contractors in an arbitration relating to the construction of a high-value coal-fired power plant in Africa.
    • Advised a South Korean engineering and construction company in an arbitration regarding the construction of the world’s largest strategic water storage and recovery system in the Gulf Cooperation Council area.
    • Advised a Middle Eastern telecommunications company in a matter before Saudi Arabian regulatory authorities.
    • Advising a Gulf Cooperation Council government entity in an adjudication relating to the construction of a major housing project.
    • Advised a Saudi Arabian metals company in a dispute regarding a high-value aluminium-rolling facility in Saudi Arabia.
    • Advised an oil and gas joint venture in a dispute over the assignment of a production-sharing agreement.
    • Advised a Bahraini company in an arbitration regarding the performance of a dredging contract.
    • Advised a UAE developer in a dispute regarding the construction of two hotels in Dubai.
    • Advised a Canadian telecommunications company in a dispute with an American signal provider.
    • Advised a Canadian energy company in a cross-border litigation regarding the construction of an oil platform.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • University of Oxford, M.Phil., 2010
    • University of Oxford, B.C.L., 2009
    • Dalhousie Law School, LL.B., 2005
    • Dalhousie University, B.A., 2002
    Bar Admissions
    • Barrister and Solicitor, Nova Scotia, Canada
    • Lawyer, Dubai Legal Affairs Department
    • Advocate, Dubai International Financial Centre Courts
    • Registered Foreign Lawyer, Solicitors Regulation Authority
    Judicial Clerkship
    • Hon. Danièle Tremblay-Lamer, Federal Court of Canada
    Languages
    • French
    • Arabic
    Accolades
    • Chambers Global, Construction: Dispute Resolution (2024)
    • Legal 500 EMEA, Construction (2023-2024)
    • Who’s Who Legal, Arbitration
      • Global Leaders (2022-2023)
      • Future Leaders (2021)
      • Future Leaders – Non-Partners (2018-2020)
    • Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist
    • Legal 500 Middle East Dispute Resolution
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • Visiting Lecturer in International Arbitration, Schulich Law School at Dalhousie University
    • Co-Founder and Co-Chair, YConstruction (Young International Construction Practitioners)
    • Member, ICC UAE Arbitration Committee
    • Member, ICC Canada Arbitration Committee
    • Past Member, ICC Canada Arbitrator Nominations Committee
    • Past Member, Global Advisory Board, International Centre for Dispute Resolution, Young & International Group
    • Past Member, Advisory Board, Young Canadian Arbitration Practitioners
    Previous Experience
    • University of Oxford, Lecturer in Law
    • Legal Resources Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, Foreign Lawyer

    Areas of Expertise

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