Soraya Corm-Bakhos FCIArb

  Soraya Corm-Bakhos is an independent arbitrator and French-qualified lawyer based in Dubai. Following more than 20 years in private practice, first in Paris and, since 2008, in Dubai, she is now fully dedicated to her practice as arbitrator.

Prior to establishing her independent practice, Soraya was Counsel at Watson Farley & Williams (Middle East) LLP and practised in the Dispute Resolution teams of Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla and DWF (Middle East) LLP. Before relocating to the UAE, she trained and practised in Paris with J.P. Karsenty & Associés, where she advised clients on a broad range of civil, commercial and corporate matters and represented them before the French courts in commercial disputes.

Throughout her career, Soraya has been involved in international arbitrations seated across Europe and the Middle East under the rules of the major arbitral institutions. Her experience spans a wide range of sectors, including construction, real estate, energy, transport, infrastructure, hospitality and food and beverage, franchising, distribution, defence and security, shareholders' disputes, joint-ventures, and general commercial matters.

Soraya is listed as arbitrator with the major arbitral institutions and has served as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator and presiding arbitrator in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations under the auspices of, among others, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the former DIFC-LCIA, the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR) and the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre (arbitrateAD). The disputes have involved a broad range of commercial, construction and investment-related issues arising under sale and purchase agreements, joint-venture agreements, shareholders' agreements, franchise arrangements, distribution agreements and other commercial contracts.

Soraya is available for appointment as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator, presiding arbitrator and emergency arbitrator, including in expedited proceedings.

She has been recognised by The Legal 500 as "exceptionally hard working, bright and willing to go the extra mile to ensure the best possible service for clients" and was included in the Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist: Middle East 2023.

Soraya serves as a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR and the LCIA Arab Users' Council. She regularly speaks at leading international arbitration conferences, including GAR events, and has authored numerous publications on arbitration and dispute resolution.