Alec Emmerson is an independent arbitrator with a wealth of experience in England/Europe, Asia and the Middle East. In a career spanning 40 years with Clyde & Co, an international law firm with one of the largest arbitration practices globally, Alec was an associate and then partner in England for 7 years, managing partner for Asia, based in Hong Kong, for more than 12 years, international partner with strategic responsibility for the firm’s offices outside the UK for 3 1/2 years (based in London) and finally a partner and consultant for 18 years based in Dubai where he moved to develop the firm’s MENA disputes practice. He was also a member of the firm’s global arbitration executive from its formation until the end of 2017.

Alec has acted as party counsel in hundreds of arbitrations. Since 2008 when he became a part time consultant for the firm in order to be able to sit more regularly as an arbitrator he has also sat in more than 180 arbitrations as co-arbitrator, chair or sole arbitrator.

Alec lives and has his office in Dubai but sits as an arbitrator in England, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia in disputes subject to a wide range of substantive and procedural laws across many business sectors.

From 2015 to 20 September 2021 he was a trustee and chief executive of DIFC Arbitration Institute. He was a member of the LCIA Court from 2015 to 2020.

In 2017 he became vice chairman of the ICC – UAE Commission on Arbitration and ADR and continues as a member of the Commission.

Alec is credited with a no-nonesense style and a very diligent work ethic and approach to arbitration and mediation. Directories have described him as “disputes czar”, “the dean of arbitration” and “incredibly knowledgeable”. He speaks and writes widely on arbitration topics.