Leonora Riesenburg, a seasoned and highly accomplished Independent Chartered Arbitrator and Mediator, operates from the vibrant hub of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Her extensive expertise spans across the UK, the Middle East, and Asia. She stands recognized by numerous prestigious arbitral institutions, both domestically and internationally, holding esteemed affiliations with the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, DIAC, ADCCAC, SCCA, MIAC, among others.
With over two decades of experience in International Dispute Resolution, her professional portfolio boasts a consistent track record of handling intricate, high-value disputes cutting across diverse industries including investment, infrastructure, construction, real estate, partnership, joint ventures, banking, and finance. Notably, Leonora is celebrated for having presided over a number of landmark cases in investment, energy and constructions projects of consequence, and sought after for her adeptness in handling matters of substantial value, complexity or novel issues in law. Her unparalleled attention to detail, combined with her extensive knowledge and seasoned experience in international arbitration firmly distinguish her from her peers.
Leonora’s leadership is reflected in her previous roles as Branch Chair of CIArb UAE, as an Elected Member of the Board of Management for CIArb London, and member of DIFC Courts Arbitration Division Working Group. She is a member of LCIA Arabs Users’ Council and a member of the Swiss Arbitration Association. Leonora is a highly in demand faculty member for the CIArb globally and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in the MENA Region and in the UK, playing a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of dispute resolution practitioners. Her global influence extends through her service with leading institutions worldwide, including in Asia, the Governing Council of the Hyderabad Arbitration Centre (HAC) in India as well as the Global Advisory Panel for Musaliha International Centre for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (MICADR) in Pakistan.
Leonora's professional contributions are marked by many honorary and voluntary roles, prestigious awards, authorships and publications. She is a frequent speaker and contributor to conferences, seminars and events in her home market in the UAE and internationality.
Banking & Finance
Construction & Real Estate (Commercial, Residential, Retail)
Energy & Utilities
Facilities & Asset Management
Hospitality, Leisure, & Entertainment
Infrastructure & Development
Investment & Trade Disputes
Manufacturing & industrial
Partnering & Shareholder Disputes
Shipping, Transportation & Logistics
ADCCAC Arbitration: circa AED 22m claim in respect of several subcontracts for plumbing and drainage works, mechanical works, and LV Electrical Works for a Hotel development in Yas South Integrated Destination Report, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Arbitrator)
DIAC Arbitration No. 230032 AED 15.1 million subcontract dispute, involving a renowned subcontractor specializing in aluminium and glazing works in the United Arab Emirates and a large consortium acting as the main contractor on a significant construction project for the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. (Presiding Arbitrator, 3 member Tribunal)
DIAC Arbitration: dispute between a manufacturer and supplier of air cooled heat exchanges for a gas turbine combined cycle power plant for a Sharjah authority (Arbitrator)
ADCCAC Arbitration: dispute on the supply & installation of temporary gantries to a utility, plant in Abu Dhabi (Presiding Arbitrator)
DIAC Arbitration: EURO 2.6m dispute in respect of 4 Purchase Orders for the design, engineering, manufacturing, factory testing and delivery of AC/DC panels and elements to Um El Qasr seaport (Presiding Arbitrator)
DIAC Arbitration : final accounting dispute between the main developer and a pilling contractor related to piling works at Maryam Island in Sharjah (Arbitrator)
DIFC-LCIA Arbitration: SAR 4.2 m dispute in respect of the construction, management and design of a supply pipeline in KSA (Arbitrator)
ICC Arbitration : over USD $ 17m dispute in respect of engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning works on a new tank storage terminal, Al Hamriyah Freezone, UAE (Arbitrator)
DIAC Arbitration: multiple sale and purchase disputes (consolidated) involving a high net worth investor and notable developer in Dubai Sports City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sole Arbitrator)
DIAC Arbitration: over AED 40m fit-out dispute involving a renowned local developer and fit out contractor on building project serviced apartments in Business Bay, Dubai (Presiding Arbitrator)
DIAC Arbitration: over AED 250m construction dispute involving a local family/ Employer and main contractor on the construction, completion and maintenance of 2 high rise towers (commercial and residential) in Tecom, Dubai. United Arab Emirates (Arbitrator)
DIFC-LCIA Arbitration: over 1Bn Major construction dispute involving a KSA entity/ Employer and notable main contractor concerning the design, construction, completion and maintenance of a hotel in Tecom, Dubai (Arbitrator)
DIFC-LCIA Arbitration: circa USD 9m shareholder dispute, local and foreign investors, concerning the share sale and purchase arrangements involving local and foreign holdings in the UAE and Qatar (Arbitrator)
DIFC-LCIA Arbitration: circa AED 35m multiple shareholder dispute involving local and foreign investors, concerning multiple companies, holdings in the UAE and BVI (Sole Arbitrator).
ADCCAC Arbitration: circa AED 278m banking and securities dispute involving a manufacturing company and an onshore Abu Dhabi bank (Arbitrator)
• UAE Business Awards 2024: ADR Practitioner of the Year 2024
• Acquisition International 2021 Legal Awards: ADR Specialist of the Year 2021 (Middle East)
• Acquisition International 2020 Legal Awards: Best Female Adr Specialist (Middle East)
• International Arbitrators & Experts in Engineering Sector (IAEE UAE), 2019 Award for Outstanding Woman of the Year
• Acquisition International 2019 Legal Awards: Most Influential Woman in Adr (Middle East)
• AI Global 2018 Leading Adviser Awards: Leading Investment Management Consultant of the Year (UAE)
• Acquisition International 2018 Dispute Resolution Awards: Mediator of the Year (UAE)
• Acquisition International 2017 Dispute Resolution Awards: Arbitrator of the Year (UAE)
• Acquisition International 2016 Global Excellence Awards: Recognised for Global Excellence in Middle East Investment Disputes
• Acquisition International 2016 Dispute Resolution Awards: Recognised for Sustained Excellence in Middle East Investment Disputes
• Acquisition International 2015 Dispute Resolution Awards: Best in Investment Disputes (UAE)
• Global Legal 500, 2014: Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution – Construction
• Global Legal 500, 2014: Leading Individual in Banking & Finance
• Global Legal 500, 2013: Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution – Construction
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4–5 is pleased to announce that Leonora Riesenburg and Professor Arran Dowling-Hussey have been appointed Fellows of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Adjudicators, recognising their standing and expertise in construction adjudication across multiple jurisdictions.
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London International Disputes Week 2026
9 April 2025 - Remote and free event - 9am-10am GMT
The Society of Construction Law Invites members and their guests to attend The SCL Irish Conference.
4-5 Gray’s Inn Square is pleased to announce its participation in Dubai Arbitration Week (DAW) 2024, commencing on 11 November 2024.
Date: Friday 27th September 2pm London 9am New York 5pm Dubai 9am BVI.
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Joint article written by Leonora Riesenburg and Arran Dowling-Hussey.
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