Leads the Middle East disputes practice.
Specializes in high-value, complex and cross-border commercial litigation and arbitration.
Regularly appears as an advocate before the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts and sits as an arbitrator in both domestic and international arbitrations.
Has been based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since 2004.

Graham Lovett has extensive, market-leading commercial litigation and international arbitration experience covering a wide range of sectors and a variety of disputes.

He handles complex, sensitive disputes involving joint ventures, shareholders, banking and finance, fraud, as well as more technical matters involving infrastructure, project and energy disputes.

Graham regularly appears as an advocate before the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts. He also appeared regularly before the Dubai World Tribunal, a specialist Court set up by Decree to hear cases involving Dubai World and its subsidiaries during its restructuring. He also sits as an arbitrator in both domestic and international arbitrations.

Graham has spent 18 years living in the UAE and is a top-ranked and widely respected disputes practitioner. He received the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 IFLR Middle East Awards; he is Band 1 for Dispute Resolution in Chambers Global, 2022 both for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Middle East-wide, and is a Leading Individual for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and International Litigation in the EMEA Legal 500, 2021. He is consistently ranked as a leading litigation and asset tracing practitioner in Who’s Who Legal.

Education
L.P.C., College of Law, 1993
LL.B., Kingston University, London, 1992

Bar Admissions
Solicitor, England and Wales

Recognitions

Who’s Who Legal—Commercial Litigation Thought Leader (2023) and Recommended in the categories of Arbitration (2023 and 2024), Commercial Litigation (2023) and Asset Recovery (2023).
The Legal 500 UK, Fraud: Civil, 2024.
Chambers & Partners United Arab Emirates 2022—Band 1 Dispute Resolution.
In 2021, Chambers cited client recommendations, “Graham has a whole lot of wisdom that is invaluable.” “He is a really pragmatic and goal-oriented lawyer.” “Graham excels at handling complex matters and really understands the client’s wants and needs. He is very measured, very calm and very strategic. His advocacy is also second to none.”
Chambers & Partners Middle East-wide 2022—Band 1 Dispute Resolution.
In 2022, Chambers cited client recommendations, “I have a lot of respect for the way he goes about things. He is a tough opponent to have, but completely fair and someone you can get stuff done with when you need to.”
The Legal 500 UAE 2021, Leading Individual, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and International Litigation.
IFLR Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 IFLR Middle East Awards.

Affiliations and Public Service

Member of the Board of directors of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).
Member of the Arbitration Court of DIAC.
Chairman of the DIFC Authority Legislative Committee.
Member of the Steering Committee for the International Code Council (ICC) U.A.E.
Member of the DIFC Court User’s Rules Sub-Committee.
Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb).
Governor of Dubai College.