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April 15, 2024
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Dr. Mahmood Hussain
Dr. Mahmood Hussain is the Founding Partner of M&CO Legal and a highly respected disputes and arbitration specialist with more than 20 years of experience across the public and private sectors in the UAE. He is widely recognised for his courtroom advocacy, deep understanding of civil and Sharia law, and leadership in international commercial arbitration.
Dr. Mahmood began his career as a litigator before the Dubai Courts, where he has secured numerous favourable judgments in high-profile and complex matters. Through his niche practice as arguing counsel before the Honourable Judges of the Dubai Courts, he has established a benchmark for effective representation in disputes involving sophisticated legal and factual issues.
He is particularly sought after for shareholder disputes, high-value commercial litigation, and international arbitration, where clients value his strategic insight, persuasive advocacy, and pragmatic approach to dispute resolution.
Rankings & Recognition
- Ranked, Dispute Resolution: Domestic – UAE, Chambers & Partners
- Awarded “Most Rising Arbitrator in the Region”, Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
Chambers & Partners commentary describes Dr. Mahmood as:
“Very user-friendly, responsive and clearly has a weight of experience that he brings to bear on each case.”
Expertise
- Civil and commercial litigation
- International commercial arbitration
- Shareholder and corporate disputes
- Regulatory and government advisory
- Corporate governance
- Sharia law and civil law intersection
International Arbitration Experience
Dr. Mahmood has acted in more than 30 international arbitration proceedings under leading institutional rules, including:
- ICC
- LCIA
- DIAC
- ADCCAC
He is frequently appointed as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator, or chairman in complex international disputes and is accredited as an international arbitrator with both DIAC and the Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre.
Institutional & Regulatory Experience
Dr. Mahmood played a key role in the establishment of the DIFC Courts, serving as:
- A member of the committee that established the DIFC Courts
- The first Deputy Registrar of the DIFC Courts
In this capacity, he participated in the development of several DIFC Court legislations and retains rights of audience before the DIFC Courts.
He is also deeply involved in the global arbitration community and contributes to international rulemaking and policy development.
Leadership & Professional Appointments
- Board Member, ICC UAE
- Vice Chairman, ICC UAE Commission on Arbitration and ADR
- Member, ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR (Paris)
- Accredited International Arbitrator, DIAC
- Accredited Arbitrator, Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre
- Fellow, International Compliance Association (ICA), UK
Education
- PhD in Law (Research), University of East Anglia, UK (2020)
- Master’s Degree in Digital Economy Law, Monash University, Australia (2004)
- International Diploma in Compliance, International Compliance Association, UK (2012)
- Director Certificate, UCLA Anderson School of Management, USA (2008)
- LLB in Shari’a and Law (First Class Honours with Distinction), United Arab Emirates University (2001)
Languages
- English
- Arabic
Founding Partner
Dispute Resolution | International Arbitration | Corporate & Regulatory Advisory
đź“Ť Dubai International Financial Centre, United Arab Emirates