Our people

Arun Visweswaran

'Detailed and highly responsive approach, very pro active' - Legal 500

Partner, Construction & Engineering
UAE

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 construction, infrastructure and projects 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 an accredited IMI mediator, a member of the working group of the DIFC Courts' Digital Economy Courts and the Chairperson of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (YMG) in the UAE.

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

Experience

Representative examples of Arun's commercial/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.
Representing a regional employer on a USD 60million construction arbitration relating to a LNG project (ICC arbitration).
Representing a KSA company on the termination of a long-term distribution contract and advising on the claim against the counterparty (DIFC Courts).
Defending a large UAE company in arbitration claims brought under a cement supply agreement (DIAC arbitration).
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 this entity on other similar matters.

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

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)
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)
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 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).

Representing a large education conglomerate in the termination of a long-term services supply contract.

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.
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 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 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
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
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)
Advised a Middle East sovereign fund on urgent bond call issues relating to a power and water project in the UAE involving complex corporate and construction issues
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.

Representative examples of Arun's technology disputes experience include:

Representing a major telecom operator on various matters including defending claims alleging wrongful termination.
Represented a UAE government entity on a dispute with a technology provider on early termination claims amounting to over US$ 30 million
Represented one of the largest technology companies in a dispute with a global cloud and software infrastructure provider in relation to damages arising from early termination amounting to over US$20 million
Advised a global technology company on a dispute with a network operator in the region relating to a Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) contract
Represented a regional central bank on a US$ 20 million intellectual property dispute with a global service provider
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 an EU based insurance/reinsurance company on a cyber incident involving various jurisdictions including the UAE
Advised a global ratings agency on a potential investigation related to compliance issues with DIFC data protection law
Successfully defended a global risks analysis company in cases involving allegations of defamation and breach of UAE Publications Law along with UAE local counsel.
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 laws

Representative examples of Arun's commercial disputes experience include:

Drafted the ADGM Third Party Funding Law
Advised a client on enforcement of a mortgage before the ADGM Courts
Advised a client on potential ADGM Court proceedings pertaining to a shareholder dispute (matter did not proceed).

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