Expertise

Rovine has been involved in some of the most high-profile fraud, sanctions and asset recovery cases in the Middle East over the past 15 years. He is recognised as one of the leading international lawyers dealing with disputes in the Iraqi market and is well known to be a go to lawyer in relation to marine fraud and sanctions.

Rovine remains focused on disputes with a Middle Eastern link whether litigated in the UK, Dubai or the Gulf Corporation Council (CGC) region. He has extensive experience in bringing cases in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC). Whilst based in London he travels extensively to the Dubai region for his clients.

 

Recognition

Rovine has been consistently ranked in The Legal 500 EMEA and Chambers Global for his work in dispute resolution. Chambers Global says: “He has a wealth of experience both offshore and onshore. He’s extremely wise, very measured and adept at dealing with huge cases. He’s a master at dealing with big cross-border disputes.”

 

Career

Rovine spent 28 years at Stephenson Harwood, initially with stints in the London and Singapore offices. He was then managing partner of the Dubai office between 2012-2020. Rovine returned to London in 2020 and was global head of International Arbitration between 2020-2025. He joined Stewarts in August 2025.

Experience

  • Acting for a Canadian fund claimant in relation to a US$21m alleged trading fraud. This included criminal and civil proceedings in the UAE and court proceedings in Singapore.
  • Acting for the Republic of Iraq as co-counsel with a US firm in ICSID proceedings defending claims of US$850m in respect to claims arising out of a regulatory agency’s decision to annul the claimants shares in Korek Telecom and subsequent government order to transfer these shares.
  • Acting for the Ministry of Electricity, Iraq against an Indian contractor in LCIA proceedings pursing claims of US$650m in relation to the non-completion of a power plant project.
  • Acting for a Middle East state aviation authority in ICC proceedings defending claims of US$20m in relation the termination of two management agreements.
  • Acting for a US fund alongside Middle East counsel enforcing several judgments and awards against a major Indian conglomerate. This included enforcement proceedings in 14 jurisdictions over a two-year period.
  • Acting for Emirates NBD bank in UAE proceedings in relation to court and then bankruptcy actions against a major UAE-based trading entity.
  • Acting for a UAE shipping and trading company, Gulf Petrochem, in UK, UAE, Indian and Singapore proceedings against multiple claimants, defending allegations of fraud and appropriation.
  • Acting for a Swiss-based oil trading company responding to an Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) investigation in relation to alleged sanction breaches.
  • Acting for an Oman-based trading company in UAE court proceedings against its former joint venture partner in relation to claims of misappropriation of funds and wrongful asset valuation. This included subsequent enforcement proceedings in Cyprus.
  • Advising David Haigh, the ex-managing director of Leeds United Football Club, on a DIFC claim initiated by the DIFC branch of a major Bahrain-based Islamic investment bank for AED23m on account alleged of breach of trust and money laundering.
  • Acting for a UAE oil terminal in relation to a US$125m multi-jurisdictional dispute concerning title to two cargoes of oil discharged into terminals in the UAE.
  • Acting for a leading UAE-based fund in relation to US$10m UAE proceedings brought against it due to the alleged actions of a rogue employee said to have misappropriated client funds.
  • Acting for the State Trading Corporation, the transport arm of the government of Mauritius. The case related to the country’s previous and future transportation contracts and involved a review of contract terms, potential breaches of local procurement rules and potentially setting aside contracts because of undue influence or fraud.

Accreditations and Memberships

  • CEDR accredited mediator

Personal

Rovine is a keen golfer (albeit more Happy Gilmore than Tiger Woods), Harlequins follower and part time chauffeur to three children.

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