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November 7, 2024
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Essam Al Tamimi
Essam Al Tamimi is one of the most prominent legal figures in the Middle East and the Founder and Chairman of Al Tamimi & Company, the largest law firm in the region. Since establishing the firm in 1989, he has played a central role in shaping the legal profession across the UAE and the wider GCC.
With over 34 years of experience, Essam Al Tamimi has advised and represented clients in complex litigation and arbitration matters spanning nearly all areas of law, including both private and public law. His practice covers corporate and commercial disputes, banking and financial matters, and high-value real estate and property disputes across multiple industries and sectors.
Essam is widely recognised for his international arbitration expertise and is frequently appointed to arbitral tribunals and panels across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. His standing in the global legal community is reinforced by his involvement with leading arbitration institutions and chambers of commerce.
In addition to his legal practice, Essam Al Tamimi has contributed extensively to the development and understanding of UAE dispute resolution law through his publications, speaking engagements, and professional leadership roles.
Professional Appointments & Arbitration Panels
Board Member, Dubai International Chamber
(Appointed in 2025 by decree of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai)Member, GCC Commercial Arbitration Centre, Manama, Bahrain
Member, Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
Member, Centre for Dispute Resolution (CEDR), United Kingdom
Member, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Court of Arbitration, Paris, France
UAE Representative, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Member, Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) (2009–2012)
Member, Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (KLRCA) (2017–2020)
Member, Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) (2014–2017)
Publications & Thought Leadership
Essam Al Tamimi is a leading author on UAE and regional dispute resolution law. His notable publications include:
Arbitration Law in the United Arab Emirates (1997)
A Practical Guide to Litigation and Arbitration in the UAE (2003)
United Arab Emirates Court of Cassation Judgments 1989–1997 (2003)
United Arab Emirates Court of Cassation Judgments 1998–2003 (2005)
The Practitioner’s Guide to Arbitration in the Middle East and North Africa (2009)
He has also written extensively on arbitration and dispute resolution in leading international legal publications and is a frequent speaker at global legal conferences and forums.
Education
- LL.M., Harvard Law School (1984)
- LL.B., Al Ain Law School (1983)
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Languages
- Arabic
- English

