Georgina Munnik

Georgina Munnik is a Legal Director and a key member of the Al Tamimi Dispute Resolution practice. Her primary practice area is Arbitration and Mediation, and she advises on a broad range of commercial dispute resolution matters with a strong focus on cross-border enforcement, cross-jurisdictional contractual disputes and both domestic and international arbitration.

Based in the Middle East since 2013, her practice is predominantly international, acting for corporates and financial institutions in complex arbitration cases across the MENA region and globally. She has a particular emphasis on issues arising under shareholder and joint venture agreements, with her expertise extending to wide-ranging disputes concerning commercial contracts. She is also experienced in assisting clients with managing disputes, often seeking to minimise the need for formal legal proceedings.

Before joining Al Tamimi & Company, she built her practice at a leading international firm, gaining extensive experience in cross-border disputes across both arbitration and litigation forums. Her work has been acknowledged by leading legal publications, with recognition as a Rising Star by Legal 500 and an Associate to Watch by Chambers.

Beyond the legal landscape, she is an integral part of CSR and developmental initiatives within and outside the firm, notably her involvement as an active member of the DEI committee and the implementation of new approaches to development and mentoring the next generation of lawyers in the region.

Her recent experience includes acting for a UAE investment company in an AED 800 million+ partnership dispute with a foreign listed property developer in LCIA arbitration, including related court proceedings in Singapore and the DIFC Courts; bringing complex and high-value claims (USD 600 million and USD 500 million respectively) arising out of the administration of a large bank for both the exercise of put options and the return of equities fraudulently purchased in the bank's name and in relation to the return of land held on trust; and representing joint claimants enforcing their rights pursuant to the terms of a facilities agreement in an English law governed DIAC arbitration, and the related jurisdiction challenge in bifurcated proceedings.

She has also acted for a financial institution in bringing USD 15 million+ arbitral proceedings under English law in respect of complex Shari'ah-compliant transactions, allegations of negligence and set-off arrangements; successfully achieved a positive paper-only award for several million dollars within six months by invoking ICC expedited provisions; defended LCIA proceedings in relation to damages arising from the termination of a distribution agreement in KSA; successfully represented an investment firm in relation to a multi-million USD freezing order in the DIFC Courts and the subsequent Court of Appeal hearings; obtained recognition of foreign insolvency proceedings and implemented a moratorium in the UAE in respect of the same through the DIFC Courts; and represented the Respondents in a complex multimillion USD claim in relation to a contractor termination on a hotel development project.

She also assisted a company in navigating a high-profile dispute with a major joint venture partner, providing strategic guidance on claims, negotiation of settlement agreements and operational continuity during a contentious transition in the influencer and digital media space, and led a complex joint venture cross-border dispute involving four jurisdictions in relation to a failed construction venture in Oman.

She holds an LLB from the College of Law (2009) and a BA (Hons) from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (2007). She was admitted in England & Wales in 2011 and speaks English.