An arbitrator who knows how commercial disputes begin.
I am Hamdan Alghamdi, a Saudi commercial arbitrator based in Riyadh. I accept appointments as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator or presiding arbitrator in commercial disputes, in Arabic or English, under institutional rules or ad hoc. My perspective comes from more than ten years of drafting, negotiating and managing disputes under complex contracts in construction and EPC, defence and aerospace, and corporate transactions — and from building and running companies myself.
How I can help with a commercial dispute
Appointment as arbitrator
Sole arbitrator, party-nominated co-arbitrator or presiding arbitrator in commercial disputes — nominated by the parties, by the co-arbitrators, or appointed through an arbitral institution under its rules.
Arbitration clause drafting and review
A dispute-resolution clause written before anything goes wrong: seat, rules, language, number of arbitrators, and any negotiation or mediation step first — so a future dispute has a clear and enforceable path.
Read the clause guidePre-arbitration assessment
A confidential review of a dispute before proceedings start: the contractual position, the evidence, the realistic outcomes, and whether negotiation or mediation should come first. I do not then sit as arbitrator in the same matter.
Disputes where my experience is directly relevant
Construction and EPC contracts
Delay, variations, payment, defects and termination, informed by my role as General Counsel to a group of contracting and industrial companies.
Defence and aerospace programmes
Supply, services and programme contracts in highly regulated environments, drawing on six years of legal work in defence and aerospace.
Commercial agreements
Supply, distribution, agency, services and partnership agreements across Saudi Arabia and the GCC.
Shareholder and joint-venture disputes
Deadlock, exit, governance and founder disputes — issues I deal with as a corporate lawyer and as a founder of several companies.
Technology and e-commerce contracts
Software, platform, services and data-related contracts, informed by building technology and e-commerce businesses.
Cross-border commercial matters
Transactions between Saudi and international parties, where language, governing law and seat need to be handled with care from the first procedural order.
What the parties can expect from me as arbitrator
- Independence and impartiality. Before accepting any appointment I run a conflict check and disclose any circumstance likely to give rise to justifiable doubts about my impartiality or independence — at the outset and throughout the proceedings.
- A proportionate procedure. An early case-management conference, a realistic timetable agreed with the parties, and procedural orders that keep time and cost in line with what is at stake.
- Commercial understanding. I read a contract the way the business that signed it used it — with attention to how the project or transaction was actually run, not only to the words on the page.
- Arabic or English, in person or remote. Submissions, hearings and the award in either language; hearings in Riyadh or by video conference.
- Reasoned awards. Clear reasons on every issue the parties put to the tribunal, written with the enforcement stage in mind.
Module 1: International Arbitration
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) — assessment passed in October 2026.
Bachelor of Laws — Saudi Electronic University.
General Counsel, corporate lawyer and in-house legal counsel in defence and aerospace since 2015.
View Ciarb CertificateFrom your request to a first meeting
Send a request
Use the booking form below. Give the names of the parties and a short outline — no confidential documents at this stage.
Conflict check
I check for conflicts of interest before discussing the substance, then confirm whether I am able to act.
First meeting
We meet in Riyadh, by video or by phone at the time you asked for, or I propose the nearest available time.
Terms in writing
If I am appointed, fees and terms are set in writing — agreed with the parties, or under the rules of the administering institution.
Book an arbitration appointment
Common questions
How can I appoint you as arbitrator?
The parties can nominate me in their arbitration agreement or after a dispute arises, a co-arbitrator can nominate me as presiding arbitrator, or an arbitral institution can appoint me under its rules. Send a request through the booking form and I will confirm availability after a conflict check.
In which languages can the arbitration be conducted?
Arabic or English, including written submissions, hearings and the award.
Can hearings be held remotely?
Yes. Meetings and hearings can take place in person in Riyadh or by video conference, as the parties agree or the tribunal directs.
Which disputes do you accept?
Commercial disputes, in particular construction and EPC contracts, defence and aerospace programmes, supply, distribution and services agreements, shareholder and joint-venture disputes, and technology contracts.
How are independence and impartiality protected?
Before accepting any appointment I run a conflict check and disclose any circumstance likely to give rise to justifiable doubts about my impartiality or independence. That duty continues throughout the proceedings, and I do not sit as arbitrator in a matter on which I have advised a party.
Need an arbitrator, or a clause that will hold when it matters?
Tell me who the parties are and what the dispute concerns. I will check for conflicts first, then come back to you to confirm a time.