Freddie Akiki has broad experience in international arbitration and commercial litigation, acting on high-value, complex and cross-border disputes in the Middle East. He advises clients across a range of sectors, with a particular strength in disputes arising out of major infrastructure and construction projects in the region, as well as high-value commercial matters, including shareholder and professional negligence disputes.

Freddie has significant multijurisdictional experience, having lived and worked in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, London and Tokyo. His practice spans proceedings before arbitral tribunals, the DIFC Courts and the Dubai Courts, and includes acting as international counsel on multibillion-dollar proceedings.

In addition to contentious matters, Freddie regularly provides strategic pre-dispute advice, including risk assessment and claims management, drawing on experience gained in both private practice and in-house. He was previously seconded to a Middle Eastern state-owned energy company, where he acted as project counsel on a major LNG expansion project and advised on strategic responses to high-value claims.

At university, Freddie graduated with first class honors, achieving a first class result in each year of his undergraduate study. He also received a number of academic awards, including the Heimann Prize for consistently outstanding academic performance.