Physical Address:
Saaha Offices – Block C, Office n. 501A, The Palace Downtown
Postal Address:
P. O. Box 58553, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone:
+971 506873695
Email Address:
alex.layden@aln.africa
Alex is a barrister and disputes partner based in the UAE, where he leads ALN’s Middle East disputes practice. He acts as counsel and advocate in litigation and international arbitration, with a particular focus on cross-border disputes involving the Middle East and Africa.
His practice combines common law litigation, particularly before the DIFC and ADGM Courts, with international arbitration and cross-border enforcement. He acts for financial institutions, investors, corporates, shareholders and insolvency officeholders in commercial, financial and sovereign disputes. His cases frequently involve jurisdictional challenges, interim relief, parallel proceedings and cross-border enforcement.
Before joining ALN, Alex was a member of the international disputes team at Al Tamimi, practised as a barrister in independent practice, and sat as a member of a statutory appeals tribunal in Ireland. He was also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin and a member of faculty at the King’s Inns, where he taught international law, international dispute resolution and civil litigation.
Alex is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a CEDR-accredited mediator, and a member of INSOL International and the International Bar Association. He accepts appointments as arbitrator and mediator.
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- Barrister, Ireland (King’s Inns)
- Barrister, England & Wales (Middle Temple)
- Registered Practitioner, DIFC and ADGM
- Legal Consultant, Dubai
- Masters & PhD in Law, Trinity College Dublin
- Masters in International Relations, University of Cambridge
- Bachelors in Laws, University College Dublin
- Advising various clients in connection with the recognition and enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards, both internationally and in the UAE.
- Acting for an international bank in connection with foreign proceedings in England, including securing interim relief in the UAE.
- Successfully defending an international bank before the DIFC Courts against claims of wrongful termination of a trade finance facility.
- Representing both employers and employees in connection with various employment law matters concerning wrongful dismissal, discrimination, victimisation, and payment claims.
- Acting for a global investment firm in connection with a debt recovery action before the ADGM Courts.
- Representing a US regulator in DIFC Court proceedings concerning a global securities fraud scheme.
- Advising on the UAE recognition of the insolvency of a BVI-based hedge fund.
- Representing a global consulting firm in DIAC arbitration in relation to a construction project debt.
- Advising a global chemical manufacturer in connection with the successful settlement of a dispute with a local distributor
