Khurram Ali

Partner Middle East at Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP

Speaker

Khurram is an English-qualified Partner at Stephenson Harwood with specialist knowledge across the KSA, the UAE, and UK markets.

He primarily specialises in dispute resolution with a focus on the maritime, transportation, oil & gas, international trade and ports/terminal sectors, as well as general commercial litigation.

With over twenty years of experience, Khurram supports a wide range of shipping businesses on disputes concerning debt recovery, charterparties, commodities sale and purchase contracts and COA disputes including seaworthiness, off-hire, withdrawal from hire, safe port/berth, early redelivery, off-spec bunkers, as well as ship arrests, general average, groundings, collisions/allisions and cargo claims. Clients benefit from Khurram’s experience in managing disputes in the KSA, the High Court in London and Courts throughout the UAE. He also represents clients before various arbitral institutes including LMAA, ICC, LCIA, DIAC and AAA.

In addition to his contentious practice, he has extensive experience in transactional and non-contentious matters across these sectors and regularly provides general corporate advice to clients in Saudi Arabia. His work includes drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of maritime contracts, such as sale and purchase agreements, standard terms and conditions, and both house and NVOCC bills of lading. He also advises on terms of use and concession agreements for ports/terminal operators.

Khurram has a proven track record in supporting international businesses on foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, establishing himself as a trusted advisor for businesses pursuing opportunities in the Saudi market. Leveraging his substantial experience in corporate work, he has successfully advised numerous clients through complex legal matters

Before his current position, Khurram worked at a prominent international law firm, initially in Dubai and later relocating to Riyadh to establish and lead their shipping practice. Following this, he was recruited by another top-tier international law firm to assist with their expansion into the Saudi market and spearhead their operations in the country.

Khurram is recognised as a "Recommended Lawyer" in both the Shipping and Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and International Litigation categories within the Legal 500 EMEA 2025 Guide, UAE.