Equanimity Arbitration

Sadaff Habib is an independent arbitrator and the founder of Equanimity Arbitration. She is a qualified New York attorney and has vast experience acting as both counsel and arbitrator in disputes across a variety of industries including construction, infrastructure, property, commercial, shareholder, desalination plants and solar power projects. The Legal 500 Middle East Construction recognises Sadaff as a Rising Star and a Recommended Lawyer and commends her as an arbitration practitioner who “stands out as thoroughly informed and well-prepared” and “is building a reputation in international arbitration, as an arbitrator.” On her arbitration case management skills, the Legal 500 commends that she “stands out for her responsiveness and case management.” She has managed ad hoc arbitrations and disputes under various institutional rules including the UNCITRAL, ICC, Swiss Rules of International Arbitration, DIAC Rules, DIFC-LCIA Rules and ADCCAC rules. She is also on the ADGM panel of arbitrators. Sadaff has been based in Dubai since 2009 where she has gained experience with reputable local and international law firms like Beale & Co and Fenwick Elliott LLP. Sadaff is also ranked in Who’s Who Legal as a Future Leader and is described as “a very bright lawyer” who possesses “excellent knowledge of UAE laws, particularly construction law”. In 2020 she was recognised as Africa’s 50 Most Promising Young Arbitration Practitioners and in 2021 she was shortlisted for the Middle East Legal Rising Star Award and for the Big 5 Women in Construction Awards. Sadaff is active in the international arbitration community and served as an Assistant Editor for Africa for the Kluwer Arbitration Blog and on the CIArb UAE Branch Committee during which time she developed the CIArb UAE mentoring program. She also co-founded the Africa Construction Law Blog and served as General Editor of the blog.