Mark Lakin

Mark has played a pivotal role in developing the firm's litigation and arbitration practice in the Middle East. He acts for large trading houses, shipping companies, financial institutions, and major oil and gas companies who are located both in the region and internationally.

He is a skilled litigator and solicitor advocate who advises on all forms of dispute resolution and represents clients as counsel in both Court and arbitration proceedings. Recent cases include major frauds, commodities disputes and oil and gas disputes worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Mark has led numerous significant cases before various international arbitral tribunals, including LCIA, DIAC, LMAA, ICC, UNCITRAL, GAFTA, FOSFA, SIAC, and HKIAC. He has also represented clients in prominent cases before the DIFC and UAE Courts, and the English High Court, many of which have received extensive coverage in the trade and legal press.

Mark is listed as a "Leading Individual" for Shipping: Dispute Resolution by Chambers and Partners Global 2024 and a "Next Generation Partner" for Shipping within the Legal 500 EMEA 2024 Guide, UAE. In addition, he is listed as "Recommended Lawyer" for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and International Litigation within the Legal 500 EMEA 2024 Guide, UAE.

Clients praise him as being a "a shrewd litigator with excellent knowledge of the market" who is a "savvy and skilled operator" that provides "out of the box solutions." Clients also value his ability to combine "excellent commercial instincts along with an in-depth knowledge of the law" as well as understanding "legal issues and thinking around the matter from a strategic point of view".

Mark is an absolute pleasure to work with. He is a shrewd litigator with excellent knowledge of the market and considerable experience of shipping and commodities disputes.