Roman Khodykin
Partner
International Arbitration Litigation and Investigations

Roman Khodykin is a partner within the firm’s international arbitration practice and a leading practitioner in national and cross-border disputes, with particular emphasis on the energy sector and

shareholder’s disputes. Among other regions and territories, Roman has extensive experience of acting in arbitrations involving parties from the United Kingdom, Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East. His

significant expertise in acting as counsel is complemented by his regular appointment as arbitrator, he also holds a PhD in Conflict of Laws and is widely regarded as an expert on arbitration law.

Roman has acted in a myriad of disputes under the auspices of the ICSID, LCIA, DIFC, ICC, AAA and MKAS, he has also represented athletes before the Ad Hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Roman is dual qualified as a Solicitor Advocate in England and Wales and as a Russian advocate, he also holds higher rights of audience in the AIFC Court in Kazakhstan.

In 2015, Roman was appointed by the ICC World Council as an alternate member and subsequently served a full term at the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris.

Roman is recognised by the legal directories as one of the leading international arbitration lawyers and was named “Lawyer of the Year” for International Arbitration by Best Lawyers in 2019. An avid scholar,

Roman is also a member of the editorial board at The International Journal of Arbitration, Mediation and Disputes Management. He is also a Visiting Professor at the Centre for Commercial Law at Queen Mary University of London and has lectured at the University of Cambridge.

Education

·        College of Law, 2022-2023, Higer Rights of Audience (Civil)

·        BPP School, 2012-2013, Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme Course

·        Moscow State Institute of International Law, 2001-2005, Private

·        International Law (PhD)

·        University College Kensington, 2003-2004, Business Law (Pre-MA Diploma)

·        Irkutsk State Technical University, 1995-2000, Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons.)

Professional Admissions

·        Law Society of England and Wales, Solicitor Advocate

·         Russian Federation, advocate

·         Kazakhstan, Higher Rights of Audience before the Astana International Financial Centre Court 

Languages

·        English

·        Russian

Richard Davies
Office Managing Partner – Abu Dhabi/Dubai
Litigation and Disputes

Richard has been based in the UAE since early 2008 and is the Managing Partner of BCLP’s Middle East operations.

Richard is highly experienced in both transactions and disputes arising out of construction projects, particularly those with an international flavour. He has acted for government departments, developers, occupiers, lenders, contractors and consultants.

He advises on procurement strategy, drafting and negotiating building and ancillary contracts, advising on claims (often during project execution) and represents clients in proceedings.

He has acted for clients in proceedings in the courts in England & Wales, Dubai International Finance Centre, Abu Dhabi Global Market. He is also an accredited mediator.

He is listed in Legal 500, Chambers and Who’s Who Legal as one of the leading specialists in the UAE.

Admissions

·        England and Wales

Professional certifications

·        Called to the Bar of England & Wales, Inns of Court School of Law, 1998

·        Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, 2001

·        Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

·        Society of Construction Law (Gulf)

Education

·        MA (Hons) in Jurisprudence, University of Oxford, UK (BA obtained 1997, MA 2002)

·        Diploma in Legal Practice, Inns of Court School of Law, London, UK (1998)

·        Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test, College of Law, London, UK (1999)

Languages

·        English

Charles Lilley
Partner
Litigation and Investigations 

Charles is a Partner and Global Head of the Construction Disputes Group at BCLP.

Charles is highly experienced in construction and engineering claims and disputes. He has worked for clients from all sides of the construction industry and has experience in litigation, adjudication, arbitration and mediation as well as in project advisory and forensic investigation work.

Charles moved to Abu Dhabi in February 2009 to help start-up the firm’s new office and to promote the firm’s international Construction capabilities.

Admissions

·        England and Wales

Professional Memberships

·        Member of the Society of Construction Law (Gulf)

Education

·        Tonbridge School, Kent (1990-1995)

·        University of Exeter, Devon (Law LLB with Hons, 2:1) (1996-1999)

·        College of Law, Guildford (Law PSC, Distinction) (2000)

Languages

·        English

Richard Dupay
Partner
Construction & Disputes

Richard helps clients navigate complex construction and infrastructure projects across the Middle East, with a focus on strategic risk management, dispute resolution, and project advisory. With over a decade of experience in the region, he splits his time between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, supporting employers, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers on high-value projects.

His practice spans both contentious and non-contentious matters, with particular expertise in FIDIC-based contracts and joint venture arrangements. Richard has advised across a wide range of sectors

including energy, infrastructure, sport and leisure, and major mixeduse developments. He regularly represents clients in international arbitrations under ADCCAC (now arbitrateAD), DIAC, ICC, LCIA and

SCCA rules, and provides ongoing support during project delivery on claims strategy, contract administration, and risk allocation.

Since relocating to BCLP’s UAE office in 2016, Richard has built a strong regional practice and spent time on secondment with one of the Middle East’s largest contractors, advising on cross-border noncontentious matters.

He is consistently ranked in Chambers Global and Legal 500 as a leading individual for construction disputes in the Middle East.

Admissions

England and Wales

Professional memberships

·        Society of Construction Law (Gulf)

·        Technology and Construction Solicitor’s Association (TeCSA)

·        Licensed to practice Law in Dubai and registered with the Legal Affairs Department of Dubai

Education

·        LLB (Hons) in Law with Chinese Law, University of Nottingham with exchange at University of Hong Kong (2008)

·        Legal Practice Course, College of Law, London (2009)

Languages

·        English

Oliver Hallsworth
Counsel (England & Wales Qualified Barrister)
Corporate and Finance Transactions

Oliver is a trusted strategic legal advisor with over two decades of international experience advising on high-stakes, cross-border matters across banking and finance, regulatory compliance, technology,

intellectual property and corporate transactions.

A former General Counsel to tier one global investment banks and an international broker-dealer, Oliver brings the rare perspective of having sat on boards and executive committees, delivering strategic counsel at the highest level. His unique ability to translate complex legal frameworks into commercially agile solutions has earned him a reputation as a highly perceptive, solutions-driven practitioner – deeply attuned to client objectives, risk appetites and the dynamics of their industries.

Oliver’s practice is expansive and sophisticated. He advises on complex M&A, corporate restructurings, regulatory investigations and enforcement, IP strategy and technology transactions, and high-value sponsorship, media and licensing arrangements. His deep regional expertise – particularly in the GCC where he has worked for more than 12 years – encompasses regulatory architecture, financial services

frameworks, capital markets, and fintech and he has previously held a non-executive directorship at a UAE-based technology company.

Admissions

·        England and Wales (barrister)

Educational Qualifications

·        Barrister at law, The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, 2000

·        College of Law – Bar Vocational Course Law, 1999

·        University of Sussex – Dip. Law – Merit, 1998

·        King’s College London, B.A. (Hons.), History, 1996

·        Associate of King’s College (AKC)

Professional Certifications

·        41634 England and Wales (barrister) United Kingdom, 2000

Languages

·        English