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Laura Atherton  Associate
London  +44.(0)20.7360.8322
Fax +44.(0)20.7648.9001
laura.atherton@klgates.com Add to Outlook Contacts


Areas of Practice Representative Experience Professional Background Professional/Civic Activities Education Languages

Areas of Practice

Laura Atherton is an associate in the firm's London office. She is involved in all aspects of commercial dispute resolution including litigation, arbitration, mediation, adjudication and expert determination.

She has a depth of experience (from both the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates) in dispute resolution before courts, arbitrators and the Dubai International Financial Centre Court.  She has advised a broad base of clients on a wide range of disputes including those arising from commercial agreements, construction and engineering projects, and insurance and reinsurance contracts. Miss Atherton also advises on health and safety and other regulatory investigations and issues.

Miss Atherton has experience negotiating, drafting and advising clients on a variety of commercial contracts.

Representative Experience
  • Acting for clients and assisting arbitrators in a number of international arbitrations under both English and UAE law using DIAC, UNCITRAL and ICC rules
  • Acting for the Claimants in two of the first disputes to be heard by the Dubai International Financial Centre Court
  • Managing cases heard in the Dubai local court system, working with local advocates on claims involving breach of contract, professional negligence and construction disputes
  • Conduct of a number of adjudications, both contractual and under the HGCRA 1996
  • Advising insurers and reinsurers on liability, policy wording and foreign law claims
Reported Cases
  • John Roberts Architects Ltd v. Parkcare Homes (No. 2) Ltd (2006) EWCA Civ 64 (and at first instance)
  • Dadourian Group International Inc and Ors v. Paul Simms and Ors (2006) EWHC 2973 (Ch)

Professional Background

Prior to joining K&L Gates, Miss Atherton worked for another international law firm, first in their London office, and subsequently moving to Dubai to build their Middle Eastern business.

Miss Atherton is a solicitor-advocate and a barrister (non-practising).

Professional/Civic Activities
  • Associate Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Member of Gray's Inn

Education
  • Qualified Lawyer Transfer Test, College of Law (2005)
  • Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law (2002)
  • B.A., Jesus College, University of Cambridge (2000) Law
Languages
  • French
  • Spanish


PRACTICES & INDUSTRIES
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Arbitration -- International and Domestic
Commercial Disputes
Construction and Engineering
Insurance Coverage
Professional Liability
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