Soraya is Counsel in the Dispute Resolution Group.

Soraya is an experienced arbitration practitioner. Prior to joining Watson Farley & Williams, she practiced in the Dispute Resolution teams of DWF (Middle East) LLP and Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla. She has wide-ranging experience in all types of international commercial arbitrations, having acted as advising counsel under major institutional arbitration rules (including ICC, SCC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA and DIAC) and ad hoc in arbitrations seated in Europe and the Middle East in relation to a wide variety of industry sectors, including banking and finance, real estate/construction as well as oil & gas.

Soraya also regularly sits as arbitrator (sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator and chair) in arbitrations mainly related to real estate, sale and purchase disputes and commercial disputes.

Soraya has authored a number of publications in the field of arbitration and more specifically in relation to Middle Eastern arbitration related topics.

Soraya is fluent in French, English and Arabic.

Show related areas

Show related areas

  • • A UAE-based fire-proofing company in a dispute in relation to the construction of Abu Dhabi Airport Midfield Terminal under the DIFC-LCIA Rules with seat in DIFC and governed by UAE law.
  • • Advising a UAE-based investment company in a dispute arising out of the performance of a Murabaha financing agreement under the DIFC-LCIA Rules with seat in Dubai and governed by English law.
  • • Advising a UAE-based company in a dispute against a German manufacturer in relation to the supply and installation of equipment and an industrial plant under the LCIA Rules with seat in London and governed by English law.
  • • A US$80m plus dispute arising out of the performance of a long-term gas supply agreement between two Pakistani companies under the ICC Rules with seat in Singapore and governed by English law.
  • • An IT services provider in a dispute arising from the performance of an IT services agreement for Abu Dhabi Police under the ICC Rules with seat in Abu Dhabi and governed by UAE law.

Education

1999 – Maîtrise in Private law, Assas University, Paris, France (with honors)
2000 – DEA in Private International Law and International Trade Law, Assas University, Paris, France (with honors)
2002 – Ecole de Formation du Barreau (Paris Bar School)
2003 – Admitted to the Paris Bar

memberships & associations

ICC UAE
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
AribtralWomen