Areen Jayousi

Partner

Areen is a Partner at Horizons & Co., specialising in dispute resolution with a focus on real estate, construction, and financial institutions. With over a decade and a half of experience in the Middle East, he handles complex disputes, notably arbitration and litigation cases, for high-profile corporate organisations, government entities and individuals.

With an impressive mix of in-house and private practice experience, Areen’s expertise lies in the preparation and conduct of arbitrations and litigation for high-profile real estate and construction projects, representing developers, contractors, sub-contractors, among others, in the UAE and the MENA region, as well as internationally. He also has specific knowledge of the banking and financial services sector, including advising on the full range of disputes, including white-collar crime.

Areen has advised on numerous high-profile cases involving insolvency and restructuring proceedings in the UAE and is frequently appointed by international law firms and corporate clients, notably banks. He handles all aspects of the process for both creditors and debtors, from contesting court decisions to advising on stakeholder risks.

With expertise and a deep knowledge of both civil and common law systems, he provides detailed legal advice to international law firms. A registered arbitrator with DIAC, ICC, IICRA and SCCA among others, Areen is also a highly skilled litigator in Arabic and English before the UAE Courts, including those in DIFC and ADGM.


Languages
  • English
  • Arabic
Education & Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Laws, SOAS University of London, UK
  • Master of Laws, UCL, UK
Professional Memberships
  • Arbitrator registered with the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)
  • Arbitrator registered with the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA)
  • Arbitrator registered with the International Islamic Centre for Reconciliation and Arbitration (IICRA)
  • Arbitrator registered with the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre (arbitrateAD)
  • Registered Legal Practitioner with the DIFC Courts
  • Registered Legal Practitioner with the ADGM Courts
  • Member of the International Bar Association, London
  • Member of the International Bar Association, London (IBA) Member of the UAE National Committee for International Chamber of Commerce (ICC UAE)

Experience highlights

  • A syndicate of 10 (international and local) banks on navigating the onshore bankruptcy regime following a filing of bankruptcy procedures, with the ultimate exposure owed to the syndicate is valued at approx. AED 1.2 billion.
  • A large client of an international law firm in the trading industry on their bankruptcy applications against 15 UAE importers, for a trade value at over USD 200 million.
  • A major GCC construction company in an arbitration to recover payments following the suspension of a large development project in Abu Dhabi, which exceeds AED 2.1 billion in value.
  • A UAE construction company in an approx. AED 600 million dispute over a pumping station against a government entity.
  • A major Middle Eastern contractor in relation to an approx. AED 105 million dispute arising out of non-payment concerning the construction of a multi-purpose tower in the UAE, under DIAC arbitration rules.
  • A major property investment and development company in an AED 800 million DIAC arbitration relating to an infrastructure development in the UAE.
  • A multi-national contractor in a Geneva-seated ICC arbitration arising out of non-payments concerning a mixed-use development in the UAE valued at more than AED. 75 million.
  • A semi-government entity in Abu Dhabi against a prominent local group of companies in proceedings related to fraud and embezzlement. The case is currently before the public prosecution and involves both current and former members of staff. The claim is for an amount of AED 95 million.
  • Onshore federal proceedings in Dubai against a high net worth individual (Relative of former African president) in relation to fraudulent trading allegations. The claim is more than USD 146 million
  • A UAE-based bank in two separate cases against two individuals, a Lebanese national and an Indian national, in relation to fraudulently obtained financing in the region of AED 200 million. These cases are currently before the Court of Cassation and are part of multi-jurisdictional proceeding in several countries.

Awards & rankings

Chambers ranked in Global 2024 logo
Winner Middle East Awards 2024 logo
Legal500 EMEA 2024 logo
The Law logo
LexisNexis Middle East Legal Awards 2024 honourable mention logo
LexisNexis Middle East Legal Awards 2024 winner logo

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