Expertise

Arun is a partner based in our Dubai office and is also a qualified engineer. Arun has been practising in the Middle East for over a decade, specialising in complex international and domestic arbitration with a focus on commercial and construction disputes. Arun has worked under the arbitration rules of the ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, DIAC, ADCCAC and SIAC and has conducted advocacy before the DIFC Courts, in arbitration and dispute adjudication proceedings. Arun also advises clients on dispute avoidance and claims management and represents clients in dispute adjudication, mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. In addition, Arun advises on technology disputes and risk advisory work relating to data protection and cyber security.

Arun sits as an arbitrator, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, an accredited IMI mediator, a member of the working group of the DIFC Courts' Digital Economy Courts and the past Chairperson of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (YMG) in the UAE. 

Prior to joining Addleshaw Goddard, Arun practised in a magic circle law firm for over a decade. 

Experience

Representative examples of Arun's commercial/technology disputes experience include:

  • Representing a KSA company on the termination of a long-term distribution contract and advising on the claim against the counterparty (DIFC Courts).
  • Successfully defended a Dubai Government entity in relation to a claim for over AED 200 million by a sub-developer arising out of a real estate musataha contract (DIAC arbitration).
  • Acted for Standard Chartered Bank in a landmark US$110million claim for recovery of sums due under a loan agreement and a share pledge before the DIFC Courts and the UAE Court. Successfully advocated before the DIFC Court of Appeal  (SCB v IGPL and SCB v Fal Oil).
  • Represented a regional central bank on a US$ 20 million intellectual property dispute with a global service provider
  • Representing a listed Indian conglomerate on debt recovery claims across the GCC (ICC Arbitration)
  • Representing a UAE conglomerate in defending arbitration claims over USD 80 million under a supply agreement (DIAC arbitration).
  • Successfully defended a GCC telecom operator against claims under a message and call sharing agreement (OAC arbitration, Oman law)
  • Representing an international healthcare conglomerate on a fraud claim against sellers of an asset (DIFC Courts)
  • Successfully defended a UAE Government-related developer in defending an AED 200 million claim commenced by a sub-developer relating to a marine development project (DIAC arbitration). 
  • Advising data centre companies in the GCC on a range of disputes including leasing, intellectual property and energy disputes. 
  • Representing an international tech based food delivery company on various legal issues in the GCC.
  • Representing a major GCC telecom operator on various matters including defending claims alleging wrongful termination.
  • Representing a Middle East government entity on a dispute with a global software and solutions provider relating to critical digital infrastructure.
  • Represented a UAE government entity on a dispute with a technology provider on early termination claims amounting to over US$ 30 million
  • Represented a tech giant in a dispute with a global cloud and software infrastructure provider in relation to damages arising from early termination amounting to over US$20 million
  • Advised a global tech giant on a dispute with a network operator in the region relating to a Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) contract
  • Advised a European listed entity and a Fortune 500 beverage company on cyber breaches affecting various jurisdictions including the UAE and KSA and advised on related data protection issues. Advised a wide range of regional and global clients on data protection issues including under the GDPR, DIFC, ADGM, UAE, KSA and regional data protection law 

Representative examples of Arun's construction disputes experience include:

  • Representing an employer on a construction dispute with the main contractor relating to a landmark development in the UAE. Claims valued over AED 700 million (DAB & DIAC Arbitration).
  • Acted for a Middle East government linked employer in defending various claims by EPC contractors arising from the construction of an oil refinery with claims over US$900 million. Claims involved issues relating to ground conditions, technical defects, force majeure, change in law and related delay and quantum claims (Dispute Boards and ICC arbitration)
  • Successfully represented an Omani entity on a USD 60million construction arbitration relating to an LNG project (ICC arbitration). 
  • Acted for a Qatari Government linked developer in defending a US$200 million delay and quantum claim by the contractor of an infrastructure project in Doha (ICC Dispute Board and ICC arbitration)
  • Acted for an Abu Dhabi employer in the defence of claims for extension of time and prolongation costs totalling US$360 million concerning a mixed-use development in Kazakhstan (ADCCAC Arbitration)  
  • Advising an Abu Dhabi developer in relation to claims by the EPC contractor for over US$40 million relating to a mixed-use stadium in UAE (ADDCAC arbitration)
  • Acted as UAE counsel for a Korean conglomerate on a JV dispute relating to the construction of a major attraction in Dubai, UAE (SIAC arbitration)
  • Advised an Abu Dhabi developer in relation to claims by the Contractor involving multiple disputed variations in relation to the construction of a world-scale, mixed-feed cracker plant in a petrochemical complex.
  • Advised a Qatari sub-contractor on a US$13 million claim against the contractor related to design and variation issues for a natural gas refinery in Qatar (LCIA Arbitration)
  • Advised an Abu Dhabi based developer on a defect liability claim for over AED 200 million against the contractor and the insurer in relation to of a mixed-use project in Abu Dhabi
  • Advised a global engineering conglomerate on a complex dispute with a JV partner in relation to the construction of a power and desalination plant in the UAE.
  • Representing a large education conglomerate in the termination of a long-term services supply contract.
  • Represented a Bahrain based employer in relation to claims against the Contractor arising out of technical defects in relation to the construction of a port facility (ICC Arbitration)
  • Represented a Jordanian employer in relation to claims against the contractor for defective works in relation to the construction of phosphate and sulphur plants in Jordan (ICC arbitration)
  • Advised a Middle East sovereign fund on force majeure and change in law claims from the contractor due to COVID-19 throughout the pandemic period in relation to a major power and desalinated water project in the region
  • Acted for a Qatari sub-contractor against the main contractor in relation to a QAR 15 million claim relating to the construction of a medical facility in Doha (ICC arbitration)
Publications
  • COP28: Where are we and where do we go next with sustainable construction? - view here >
  • Revising Editor of “A Guide to Company Directors”, a practitioner’s text on Indian company law by Lexis Nexis.
Education
  • College of Law, London (2010)
  • Kings College London (2009)
  • Anna University India (2006)
Languages
  • English (spoken)
  • Hindi (professional)
  • Tamil (professional)
Testimonials

"Arun Visweswaran is an experienced litigator with very sound knowledge of the law, is able to offers commercially sensible advice and grasps complex points quickly being both an engineer and a qualified lawyer!" 
Legal 500 2025

"The litigation team with Arun Visweswaran stands out for practical and realistically commercial advice, quick responses and extreme attention to detail." 
Legal 500 2025

"Arun Viswewaran and Gemma Gregory make up a great team. I feel the case is in safe hands and our company is well represented."

"Arun is definitely a dependable guy for data work and a great lawyer. He is a talented guy because he can do data-related disputes work as well."  Chambers Global 2025