Harris’s practice covers all areas of international arbitration and commercial and company litigation, with a particular emphasis on corporate, joint venture, and fraud disputes (including s994 petitions). He appears routinely on his own and as part of a team in the English High Court, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts and before international arbitration tribunals. His appellate experience includes matters before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Harris also has a strong Middle East litigation and arbitration practice, having acted in disputes related to that region for many years. He regularly appears before the DIFC Courts (both Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal) on injunction and commercial cases and is a contributor of several chapters to “DIFC Courts Practice” (2020), endorsed by the DIFC Courts as the official companion to the rules of the DIFC Court. He has also appeared before the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Court.
Harris’ arbitration experience covers significant proceedings under the LCIA, ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL, SCC, LMAA, and WIPO arbitration rules. These have included several disputes under bilateral investment treaties (BITS) and commercial disputes relating to major projects, joint ventures, distribution agreements, technology and AI, and the alleged misuse of intellectual property and confidential information. He is also experienced in court applications to enforce awards and for injunctions in support of arbitration, including freezing and anti-suit injunctions. Harris is editor of Arbitration in England (with chapters on Scotland and Ireland) (2013) and has tutored on international arbitration at post- graduate university level.
Harris also acts as an arbitrator (sole and joint) and is a Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) accredited mediator. His recent appointments as arbitrator include on a middle east construction dispute and UK franchise dispute.
Harris is listed as a leading junior in The Legal 500, Chambers UK Bar, Chambers & Partners Global, and Who’s Who Legal, and has previously been nominated for The Legal 500 arbitration junior of the year.
Privacy noticeExample cases
- ICC arbitration: acted for US company on multi-million pound dispute concerning payments arising out of major middle east defense contract, and termination of the contract.
- LCIA arbitration: acted in multi-million shareholder dispute involving property development and interim application to appoint receiver over join venture company.
- Acted for defendants (as junior) in arbitration challenge proceedings (and interim application for joinder to court proceedings) in Uganda v Rift Valley Railways (Uganda) Ltd [2020] EWHC 3653 (Comm) | [2020] 12 WLUK 520 and [2021] EWHC 970 (Comm) | [2021] 2 WLUK 621.
- Acted for claimant in successfully enforcing a Beth Din arbitration award and defending challenge to the award in Sterling v Rand [2020] EWHC 2899 (Ch) [2020] 10 WLUK 41 ; EWHC 2560 (Ch) | [2020] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 934; [2019] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 577 [2018] 6 WLUK 830; and [2019] EWHC 1034 (Ch) [2019] 4 WLUK 167, [2019]. The case deals, among other things, with the power of arbitrators to order specific performance in relation to real property, illegality and public policy, and the exercise of the Courts discretion in enforcing arbitration awards under s66 of the 1996 Act.
- Acted for claimant in in successfully enforcing a Beth Din arbitration award and defending challenge to the award in Domb v Grunhut [2022] EWHC 491 (Ch) [2022] 2 WLUK 274. The case deals, among other things with the operation s66 of the 1996 Act, and abuse of process in arbitration proceedings.
- Acted for claimant in dispute under a guarantee and contract of indemnity in Nirro Holdings SA v O’Brien [2021] EWHC 279 (Ch) [2021] 2 WLUK 205.
- Acted for claimant in successful s994 petition concerning startup venture involving vehicle tracking technology in Icamera Ltd, Re [2021] EWHC 1762 (Ch) [2021] 6 WLUK 400.
- Acted for first defendant in seeking release of escrow funds held by solicitor following success in commercial court proceedings in Charles Fussell & Co LLP v Albion Energy Limited, Energy Investment Global Limited [2020] EWHC 2774 (Comm). The court granted the relief sought despite the presence of an arbitration clause in the escrow agreement.
- Acted for trustees in applications before the DIFC Courts for recognition of substantial insolvency proceedings before the Abu Dhabi Courts in Altamimi and others v Emiraes NBD Bank (PJSC) and others CFI 085/2021.
- Acting on for claimants in obtaining a worldwide freezing injunction for US$45 million in support of proceedings in Kuwait and France arising out of an alleged fraud concerning a group of companies in which the Claimants are interested in Sandra Holding Ltd and another v Al Saleh and others CFI 092/2021.
- Acted for defendants in immediate judgment application before the DIFC Court on the basis of findings in criminal investigations in onshore Dubai.
- Acted for defendant in mortgage foreclose proceedings concerning a tower block before the ADGM Court.
- Avonwick Holdings Ltd v Azitio Holdings & Ors: acted as junior in c. US$2 billion dispute in defending multiple contractual and conspiracy claims arising out of alleged breaches of shareholder agreements relating to substantial Ukrainian businesses.
- Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton UK LLP & Ors: acted as junior for claimant in c. £2 billion dispute involving allegations of conspiracy and malicious prosecution in connection with a failed SFO investigation following the collapse of Kaupthing, Icelandic bank.
- Les Laboratoires Servier v Apotex Inc and Ors: acted a junior for respondents in defending appeal before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court dealing with the application of the illegality principle and issues arising out of a claim under an undertaking in damages following a finding of invalidity of a patent.
- MAG Financial Services LLC v Theron Entertainment LLC: acted for owner of landmark tower block in Dubai before the DIFC Court of First Instance and DIFC Court of Appeal in defending claim for damages arising out of alleged breach of a lease agreement relating to fashionable restaurant chain.
- ES Bankers (Dubai) Limited (In Liquidation): acted for various parties in relation to claims concerning the execution of instructions and ownership of securities connected to insolvency proceedings before the DIFC Court.
- DIFC-LCIA arbitration: acted for global company in several hundred-million-dollar technology dispute with local joint venture partner over the alleged diversion of company business in breach of a shareholder agreement and misuse of intellectual property.
- ICC arbitration: acted for sellers and former directors of a business in defending a multi-million claim in fraud and damages under an indemnity following sale of a business to an international manufacturer.
- ICC arbitration: acted for claimants in seeking a declaration that termination of a distribution agreement for the Middle East was lawful and defending counterclaim for damages for wrongful termination.
- ICSID arbitration: acted for UK property company in claims under a BIT against the Ukraine with respect to actions relating to a substantial property.
Commercial disputes
Numerous shareholder and business claims in the Commercial Court, Queen’s Bench, Chancery Division, Companies Court, and the DIFC Courts, as well as appeal courts, including:
- Avonwick Holdings Ltd v Azitio Holdings & Ors: acted in c. US$2 billion dispute in defending multiple contractual and conspiracy claims arising out of alleged breaches of shareholder agreements relating to substantial Ukrainian businesses.
- Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton UK LLP & Ors: acted for claimant in c. £2 billion dispute involving allegations of conspiracy
- and malicious prosecution in connection with a failed SFO investigation following the collapse of Kaupthing, Icelandic bank.
- MAG Financial Services LLC v Theron Entertainment LLC: acted for owner of landmark tower block in Dubai before the DIFC Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal in defending claim for damages arising out of alleged breach of a lease agreement relating to fashionable restaurant chain.
- ES Bankers (Dubai) Limited (In Liquidation): acted for various parties in relation to claims concerning the execution of instructions and ownership of securities connected to insolvency proceedings before the DIFC Court.
- CFI 043/2014 DNB Bank ASA v (1) Gulf Eyadah Corporation (2) Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC: acted for the defendant in in the DIFC Court in resisting the enforcement of a substantial English court Judgment.
- CA 010/2016 Sky News Arabia FZ-LLC v Kassab Media FZ (LLC): acted for the claimant in a jurisdictional and commercial matter before the DIFC Court of Appeal.
- Les Laboratoires Servier v Apotex Inc and Ors: acted for respondents in defending appeal before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court dealing with the application of the illegality principle and issues arising out of a claim under an undertaking in damages following a finding of invalidity of a patent.
- Acted for claimant investors in multi-million pound Chancery Court dispute against two individuals and an associated investment company in seeking an account and reimbursement of funds removed from one of the claimant’s bank accounts.
- Acted for Leeds United Football Club against shirt manufacturer in contract dispute before the English High Court. Acted for major yacht manufacturer in contact dispute with purchaser of a superyacht before the English High Court.
- Acted for an international publisher of well-known novel in seeking injunctive relief in the Commercial Court against a distributor preventing further distribution of the novel and delivery up.
- Acted for a local authority in a dispute in breach of contract claim in relation to a waste disposal procurement project.
- Acted for judgment creditor of major airline in obtaining worldwide freezing injunction for over £90 million in support of enforcement, with permission to enforce.
- Acted for developer against major retail chain in seeking to challenge an arbitration award in the Commercial Court on the basis of apparent bias, among other things.
- Acted for international manufacturing company in seeking approval of European merger under the Companies (Cross- Border Mergers) Regulations 2007.
- Acted for Swiss defendant pharmaceutical company in an English High Court claim concerning contract for manufacturing of a pharmaceutical product in India.
- Kays Hotels Ltd (t/a Claydon Country House Hotel) v Barclays Bank Plc [2014] EWHC 1927 (Comm): acted for claimant in an interest rate hedging product limitation case.
- PJSC Vseukrainskyi Aktsionernyi Bank v Maksimov [2013] EWHC 3203 (Comm): acted for respondent in an application for discharge of a freezing injunction sought by a Ukrainian bank.
- Budejovicky Budvar Narodni Podnik v Anheuser-Busch Inc CA [2012] EWCA Civ 880: acted for respondent in trademark claim in relation to the Budweiser trademark.
- Acted for UK subsidiary of major US company in resisting winding up petition on the basis of an arbitration agreement contained in the agreement under which the alleged debt arose.
- Acted for a major European investment bank in seeking to recover about US$20 million of bonds from Lehman Brothers (Europe) Limited in administration.
- Numerous shareholder and business claims in the Commercial Court, Queen’s Bench, Chancery Division, Companies Court, and the DIFC Courts, as well as appeal courts, including:
- Avonwick Holdings Ltd v Azitio Holdings & Ors: acted in c. US$2 billion dispute in defending multiple contractual and conspiracy claims arising out of alleged breaches of shareholder agreements relating to substantial Ukrainian businesses.
- Tchenguiz v Grant Thornton UK LLP & Ors: acted for claimant in c. £2 billion dispute involving allegations of conspiracy
- and malicious prosecution in connection with a failed SFO investigation following the collapse of Kaupthing, Icelandic bank.
- MAG Financial Services LLC v Theron Entertainment LLC: acted for owner of landmark tower block in Dubai before the DIFC Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal in defending claim for damages arising out of alleged breach of a lease agreement relating to fashionable restaurant chain.
- ES Bankers (Dubai) Limited (In Liquidation): acted for various parties in relation to claims concerning the execution of instructions and ownership of securities connected to insolvency proceedings before the DIFC Court.
- CFI 043/2014 DNB Bank ASA v (1) Gulf Eyadah Corporation (2) Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC: acted for the defendant in in the DIFC Court in resisting the enforcement of a substantial English court Judgment.
- CA 010/2016 Sky News Arabia FZ-LLC v Kassab Media FZ (LLC): acted for the claimant in a jurisdictional and commercial matter before the DIFC Court of Appeal.
- Les Laboratoires Servier v Apotex Inc and Ors: acted for respondents in defending appeal before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court dealing with the application of the illegality principle and issues arising out of a claim under an undertaking in damages following a finding of invalidity of a patent.
- Acted for claimant investors in multi-million pound Chancery Court dispute against two individuals and an associated investment company in seeking an account and reimbursement of funds removed from one of the claimant’s bank accounts.
- Acted for Leeds United Football Club against shirt manufacturer in contract dispute before the English High Court. Acted for major yacht manufacturer in contact dispute with purchaser of a superyacht before the English High Court.
- Acted for an international publisher of well-known novel in seeking injunctive relief in the Commercial Court against a distributor preventing further distribution of the novel and delivery up.
- Acted for a local authority in a dispute in breach of contract claim in relation to a waste disposal procurement project.
- Acted for judgment creditor of major airline in obtaining worldwide freezing injunction for over £90 million in support of enforcement, with permission to enforce.
- Acted for developer against major retail chain in seeking to challenge an arbitration award in the Commercial Court on the basis of apparent bias, among other things.
- Acted for international manufacturing company in seeking approval of European merger under the Companies (Cross- Border Mergers) Regulations 2007.
- Acted for Swiss defendant pharmaceutical company in an English High Court claim concerning contract for manufacturing of a pharmaceutical product in India.
- Kays Hotels Ltd (t/a Claydon Country House Hotel) v Barclays Bank Plc [2014] EWHC 1927 (Comm): acted for claimant in an interest rate hedging product limitation case.
- PJSC Vseukrainskyi Aktsionernyi Bank v Maksimov [2013] EWHC 3203 (Comm): acted for respondent in an application for discharge of a freezing injunction sought by a Ukrainian bank.
- Budejovicky Budvar Narodni Podnik v Anheuser-Busch Inc CA [2012] EWCA Civ 880: acted for respondent in trademark claim in relation to the Budweiser trademark.
- Acted for UK subsidiary of major US company in resisting winding up petition on the basis of an arbitration agreement contained in the agreement under which the alleged debt arose.
- Acted for a major European investment bank in seeking to recover about US$20 million of bonds from Lehman Brothers (Europe) Limited in administration.
International arbitration
Commercial contract, joint venture, investor-state and project arbitrations including:
- LCIA: acted for US hedge fund in major shareholder dispute with middle east partners concerning the management and operation of regional media company.
- ICC arbitration: acted for US company on multi-million pound dispute concerning payments arising out of major middle east defense contract, and termination of the contract.
- LCIA arbitration: acted in multi-million shareholder dispute involving property development and interim application to appoint receiver over join venture company.
- DIFC-LCIA arbitration: acted for global company in several hundred-million-dollar technology dispute with local joint venture partner over the alleged diversion of company business in breach of a shareholder agreement and misuse of intellectual property.
- ICC arbitration: acted for sellers and former directors of a business in defending a multi-million claim in fraud and damages under an indemnity following sale of a business to an international manufacturer.
- ICC arbitration: acted for claimants in seeking a declaration that termination of a distribution agreement for the Middle East was lawful and defending counterclaim for damages for wrongful termination.
- ICSID arbitration: acted for UK property company in claims under a BIT against the Ukraine with respect to actions relating to a substantial property.
- LCIA arbitration: acted for asset management companies against Eastern European group seeking payment under a finance agreement following the group’s failure to carry out a reorganisation.
- LCIA arbitration: acted for respondent in claim under a guarantee for over US$100 million brought by finance company.
- LCIA arbitration: acted for app development company in dispute with major telecoms manufacturer seeking specific performance and/or damages for installation contract.
- LCIA arbitration: acted for Turkish drilling company in a dispute against a group of mining companies seeking damages arising from alleged breaches of drilling contracts for two African mines.
- UNCITRAL arbitration: acted for financial institution in proceedings relating to agency fees and other monies allegedly payable under a joint venture.
- ICC arbitration: acted for respondent spare parts company in breach of warranty claim following sale of European business.
- LCIA arbitration: acted for hedge fund in claim brought by former partner for wrongful termination of a joint venture agreement arising out of complex derivative trading.
- LCIA arbitration: acted for Indian party in claim for commissions against international company based in the Netherlands.
- LCIA arbitration: acted for Italian energy company in claim against Swiss trading company in breach of contract dispute involving allegedly defective cargo.
- LCIA arbitration: acted for East European bank in claims arising out of loan agreements to businesses in the region. DIFC-LCIA arbitration: acted in construction arbitration involving the building of a regional hospital.
- LCIA arbitration: acted for respondent banker in claim for damages for breach of contract brought by former partners in East European financial services joint venture.
- UNCITRAL arbitration: acted for German company against Asian company for payments under contract involving the supply of pharmaceutical products.
- WIPO arbitration: advising international gaming company on WIPO arbitration proceedings and supportive injunctive relief in dispute with technology provider.
- ICSID investment arbitration: acted as junior on an investor-state arbitration involving rights under an energy concession agreement.
- SCC investment arbitration: acting as junior on an investor state arbitration involving alleged rights relating to a national telecommunications network.
- Acted for defendants (as junior) in arbitration challenge proceedings (and interim application for joinder to court proceedings) in Uganda v Rift Valley Railways (Uganda) Ltd [2020] EWHC 3653 (Comm) | [2020] 12 WLUK 520 and [2021] EWHC 970 (Comm) | [2021] 2 WLUK 621.
- Acted for claimant in successfully enforcing a Beth Din arbitration award and defending challenge to the award in Sterling v Rand [2020] EWHC 2899 (Ch) [2020] 10 WLUK 41 ; EWHC 2560 (Ch) | [2020] 1 All E.R. (Comm) 934; [2019] 2 Lloyd’s Rep. 577 [2018] 6 WLUK 830; and [2019] EWHC 1034 (Ch) [2019] 4 WLUK 167, [2019]. The case deals, among other things, with the power of arbitrators to order specific performance in relation to real property, illegality and public policy, and the exercise of the Courts discretion in enforcing arbitration awards under s66 of the 1996 Act.
- Acted for claimant in in successfully enforcing a Beth Din arbitration award and defending challenge to the award in Domb v Grunhut [2022] EWHC 491 (Ch) [2022] 2 WLUK 274. The case deals, among other things with the operation s66 of the 1996 Act, and abuse of process in arbitration proceedings.