Perfil
Leith Ben Ammar FCIArb is Of Counsel and Co-Chair of the London office Ability Network. His practice focuses on complex, high value and sensitive international dispute resolution.
Leith is a qualified arbitrator and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. As counsel, he represents clients from Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and the Middle East (where he spent considerable time) across the construction, digital and emerging technology, infrastructure, real estate, energy, mining, transport, consumer goods, manufacturing, entertainment and financial services sectors.
He has particular experience in disputes involving very large and technologically complex infrastructure, energy and real estate projects in emerging markets. He advises clients at all levels of the supply chain and at all stages of a project’s lifecycle, from early claim management and mitigation, to trial and enforcement. His experience also includes the use of smart contracts, blockchain and other strategies (legal and technical) to mitigate disputes arising from disruption in complex international supply chains.
Leith has in-depth knowledge of legal issues involving international arbitration, construction and emerging technology. He is the Co-Chair of ENERAP’s UK Chapter, a former supporting expert at the University of Oxford’s Entrepreneurship Centre and an alumnus of its Blockchain Strategy Programme. He also sits on the ICC UK Arbitration and ADR Committee.
His speaking and writing engagements on these topics include the University of Cambridge, Jus Mundi, Global Arbitration Review, Chambers and Partners, LexisNexis, Practical Law, Lexology and the London Chamber of Arbitration and Mediation.
Concentrations
- International arbitration
- Commercial litigation
- Contract law
- Construction disputes
- Energy disputes
- Technology disputes
Capacidades
Experiencia
- Representing a leading international EPC contractor in a $250 million ICC arbitration against its consortium partners arising from the design and construction of a combined-cycle power plant in Asia.
- Representing a South American national oil company in a $120 million UNCITRAL arbitration arising from an oil and gas production agreement and related standby letter of credit.
- Representing a client operating in the luxury hospitality industry against multiple European state-owned entities in complex multi-contract LCIA arbitrations arising from high-profile landmark hotels.
- Advising a leading Web3 marketplace in relation to the development of a first-of-its-kind arbitration framework for blockchain disputes.
- Defending a state in a $2 billion UNCITRAL arbitration brought by an international telecommunications company under a multilateral investment treaty.
- Representing an ultra-high-net-worth individual in an $70 million LCIA arbitration related to loans used to finance luxury property developments in Eastern Europe.
- Representing a major CIS bank in an LCIA arbitration arising from a settlement agreement in a high-profile fraud case.
- Representing a major international trading house in an investment treaty dispute arising from an electricity sale price reduction by an Asian regulator.
- Represented BTA bank $7.5 billion dispute with Mukhtar Ablyazov and Ilyas Khrapunov (including proceedings before the French courts).
- Represented an aircraft operator in an LCIA arbitration regarding claims arising from the sale of a subsidiary.
- Represented an international financial services software company in a dispute over a software licensing agreement.
- Represented a global investment management and advisory company in defending an LCIA arbitration in relation to contract formation and estoppel by convention.
- Represented a Middle Eastern state entity in an ICC arbitration against two international construction contractors, concerning the design and construction of a major healthcare project in the state’s capital city, with the parties’ claims and counterclaims totaling over $2 billion.°
- Represented a major Korean contractor in an LCIA arbitration related to the construction of an offshore pipeline.°
- Represented a key defendant in High Court proceedings in London filed by a foreign pension fund against over 30 defendants, with claims totaling almost $1 billion.°
- Represented a Middle Eastern national oil company in relation to an LCIA arbitration rising from an agreement for the sale of crude oil, with claims totaling almost $100 million.°
- Representing a Middle Eastern state entity in an ICC arbitration against an international contractor concerning the design and construction of a chemical plant, with claims and counterclaims totaling over $800 million.°
- Represented a major Middle Eastern contractor in a DIAC arbitration arising from a shareholders’ agreement.°
- Represented two ultra-high-net-worth-individuals in a multi-jurisdictional trust dispute.°
- Represented two multinational energy companies in English Commercial Court proceedings arising from a price review dispute under long-term gas sale and purchase agreements.°
- Represented an international commodities trading house in relation to claims arising from a major manganese mine in sub-Saharan Africa. °
- Represented a Middle Eastern state entity in an ICC arbitration related to the constructions of metro stations in the state’s capital city.°
- Represented a major Middle Eastern contractor in relation to claims arising from the construction of port facilities.°
- Represented a Middle Eastern state entity in relation to claims arising from the construction of a major sports facility in the state’s capital city.°
- Represented a multinational energy company in an application to stay English Commercial Court proceedings for arbitration and related court proceedings in Germany.°
- Represented a major Middle Eastern mining contractor in relation to a dispute arising under a supply of spare parts agreement.°
- Represented a multinational consumer goods company in relation to a misrepresentation claim.°
- Represented a major Middle Eastern state entity in relation to claims arising from the construction of a palace for a high-ranking state official.°
- Represented a major airport in relation to various confidential disputes.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Ben Ammar prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Reconocimientos y Liderazgo
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- Co-Chair, Energy Related Arbitration Practitioners, UK Chapter
- Committee Member, ICC UK Arbitration and ADR Committee
- Member, Society of Computers & Law
- Member, London Court of Arbitration’s Users Council
- Member, Law Society of England and Wales
Credenciales
- Blockchain Strategy Program, with distinction, University of Oxford
- Legal Practice Course, with distinction, BPP Law School
- Bachelor of Laws, with honours, University of London, SOAS
- England and Wales
- Arabic, Conversacional
- Inglés, Fluido
- Francés, Fluido