Profile
Leith Ben Ammar is of counsel in Greenberg Traurig’s London office. His practice focuses on complex, high value international arbitration, multi-jurisdictional litigation and fraud investigation.
Leith represents clients from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East (where he spent considerable time) across the construction, infrastructure, real estate, energy, mining, transport, consumer goods, technology, manufacturing, sports, and financial services sectors.
He has particular experience in disputes involving very large and technically complex infrastructure, energy and real estate projects in emerging markets. He advises clients at all levels of the supply chain and at all stages of a project’s lifecycle, from early claim management and mitigation, to trial and enforcement.
His experience also includes the use of smart contracts, blockchain and other solutions (legal and technical) to mitigate disputes arising from disruption in complex international supply chains. Leith is the Co-Chair of ENERAP’s UK Chapter, a supporting expert at the University of Oxford’s Entrepreneurship Centre and an alumnus of its Blockchain Strategy Programme.
Concentrations
- International arbitration
- Commercial litigation
- Contract law
- Construction law
- Energy disputes
- Data privacy in international disputes
Capabilities
Experience
- Representing a client operating in the luxury hospitality industry against multiple European state-owned entities in complex multi-contract LCIA arbitrations arising from high-profile landmark hotels.
- Represented BTA bank $7.5 billion dispute with Mukhtar Ablyazov and Ilyas Khrapunov (including proceedings before the French courts).
- Represented an aircraft operator in an LCIA arbitration regarding claims arising from the sale of a subsidiary.
- Represented a global investment management and advisory company in defending an LCIA arbitration in relation to contract formation and estoppel by convention.
- Represented a Middle Eastern state entity in an ICC arbitration against two international construction contractors, concerning the design and construction of a major healthcare project in the state’s capital city, with the parties’ claims and counterclaims totaling over $2 billion.°
- Represented a major Korean contractor in an LCIA arbitration related to the construction of an offshore pipeline.°
- Represented a key defendant in High Court proceedings in London filed by a foreign pension fund against over 30 defendants, with claims totaling almost $1 billion.°
- Represented a Middle Eastern national oil company in relation to an LCIA arbitration rising from an agreement for the sale of crude oil, with claims totaling almost $100 million.°
- Representing a Middle Eastern state entity in an ICC arbitration against an international contractor concerning the design and construction of a chemical plant, with claims and counterclaims totaling over $800 million.°
- Represented a major Middle Eastern contractor in a DIAC arbitration arising from a shareholders’ agreement.°
- Represented two ultra-high-net-worth-individuals in a multi-jurisdictional trust dispute.°
- Represented two multinational energy companies in English Commercial Court proceedings arising from a price review dispute under long-term gas sale and purchase agreements.°
- Represented an international commodities trading house in relation to claims arising from a major manganese mine in sub-Saharan Africa. °
- Represented a Middle Eastern state entity in an ICC arbitration related to the constructions of metro stations in the state’s capital city.°
- Represented a major Middle Eastern contractor in relation to claims arising from the construction of port facilities.°
- Represented a Middle Eastern state entity in relation to claims arising from the construction of a major sports facility in the state’s capital city.°
- Represented a multinational energy company in an application to stay English Commercial Court proceedings for arbitration and related court proceedings in Germany.°
- Represented a major Middle Eastern mining contractor in relation to a dispute arising under a supply of spare parts agreement.°
- Represented a multinational consumer goods company in relation to a misrepresentation claim.°
- Represented a major Middle Eastern state entity in relation to claims arising from the construction of a palace for a high-ranking state official.°
- Represented a major airport in relation to various confidential disputes.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Ben Ammar prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Recognition & Leadership
- Supporting Expert, Entrepreneurship Centre, University of Oxford
- Chair, Energy Related Arbitration Practitioners, London Chapter
- Member, London Court of Arbitration’s Users Council
- Member, Financial Services Lawyers Association
- Member, Fraud Lawyers Association
- Member, Law Society of England and Wales
Credentials
- Blockchain Strategy Program, with distinction, University of Oxford, 2020
- Legal Practice Course, with distinction, BPP Law School, 2011
- Bachelor of Laws, with honours, University of London, SOAS, 2010
- England and Wales
- Arabic, Conversational
- English, Fluent
- French, Fluent