Kamel Diab

About Kamel Diab

Kamel is an associate in our Global Projects Disputes Practice, specializing in complex infrastructure and construction disputes in the Middle East and North Africa. 

Prior to joining Freshfields, Kamel practiced law at renowned US and regional law firms in Cairo where he represented and advised companies and State-owned entities in litigations, arbitrations, and corporate matters subject to both civil and common law.

Kamel routinely acts on behalf of parties subject to the ICC, LCIA, DIAC, CRCICA, DIFC—LCIA and SAC arbitral rules, and is a practised in cross-examining fact and expert witnesses. 

As a Member of the Chartered Institute of International Arbitrators, Kamel has served as a tribunal appointed secretary in many high-value construction arbitrations governed by the laws of GCC and African states.

Recognized by the African Arbitration Academy for his 'Excellence in Writing', Kamel continues to publish work relevant to our Global Projects Disputes Practice and to legal developments in the KSA.

Kamel is bilingual (English & Arabic) and is qualified to practice law in both Egypt and England & Wales.

Recent work

Recent Projects Disputes Experience:

• Acting for a sub-contractor in an ICC arbitration governed by the laws of the KSA, concerning the construction of a major transport facility.
• Advising on and negotiating the terms of FIDIC construction contracts relating to construction projects in the KSA.
• Advising on complex matters of civil procedure subject to UAE law with respect to a highly confidential ad-hoc arbitration governed by the laws of England & Wales.
• Advising on fundamental civil law principles of contractual interpretation and performance as per Qatari, Iraqi, UAE and Egyptian laws.
• Serving as Tribunal secretary in several high-value construction and maritime arbitrations subject to the laws of GCC and African states.
• Advising oil services companies operating in the MENA region with respect to potential shareholders disputes governed by the laws of both Panama and the BVI.
• Acting for an employer in a CRCICA construction and erection arbitration governed by the laws of Egypt.
• Acting for a commercial agent and distributor in a SAC arbitration governed by the laws of Switzerland, and in parallel litigation proceedings before Egyptian courts.
• Coordinating and reporting on 60+ employment litigations for two leading international hotel operators in Egypt

Recent Global Transactions Experience:

• Advising on and negotiating the terms of a commercial agreement entered into by a foreign investor and a KSA governmental entity.
• Advising leading international tech companies with respect to their day-to-day operations in Egypt.
• Advising on cyber-security and data privacy legislation in Egypt for leading international tech companies.
• Representing Rhone Capital V.L.P in the USD400m asset acquisition from Schumberger Ltd.
• Representing Bank Audi Egypt S.A.E in its full takeover of the National Bank of Greece’s Egyptian entity.