Alex Layden

Alex is a barrister leading the disputes practice for ALN in the Middle East. His team focuses on high-value, complex, cross-border disputes, acting for corporates, financial institutions, and investors across the Middle East and Africa. The team handles litigation, arbitration, and investigations across a range of sectors, including energy and natural resources, construction, trade, transport, technology, and financial services, regularly acting in shareholder and investment disputes, fraud claims, enforcement/asset recovery, and regulatory matters.

Alex’s background includes time in independent practice at the Bar, as well as with Al Tamimi in Dubai, Mayer Brown in London, and Matheson in Dublin. He has also worked at the Illinois Supreme Court in Chicago.

In addition to his work as counsel, Alex sits as a part-time tribunal member on the International Protection Appeals Tribunal in Ireland and accepts appointments as an arbitrator and mediator.

He is qualified in the UAE, the UK, and the EU (Ireland). He is also a former Adjunct Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin and member of faculty at the King’s Inns, where he taught international law, international dispute resolution, and civil litigation for several years.

• Legal Consultant, Dubai
• Barrister, England & Wales
• Barrister, Ireland

• Masters, PhD, Law, Trinity College Dublin
• Masters, International Relations, University of Cambridge
• Bachelors, Law, 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.