Rania Tadros

Managing partner

Rania is the managing partner of the Dubai office and a renowned shipping and oil and gas lawyer. She has over 20 years’ experience servicing clients operating in these industries with a special focus on resolving disputes and advising on commercial matters for companies.

She has developed a reputation for assisting clients on their most complex disputes and prides herself on her ability to identify key issues and seek an effective resolution for her clients’ matters.

Rania also has significant experience advising clients in relation to their non-contentious matters and frequently advises clients in relation to their commercial contracts and large-scale projects. Her experience in litigation coupled with her practical industry knowledge allows her to develop, create and review commercial contracts for her clients.

For approximately a decade Rania has been based in the Middle East region and held various senior management positions at another international law firm prior to joining Stephenson Harwood LLP.

She is also widely regarded as one of the leading lawyers in the market, which is reflected through the various accolades she has received, including "DIFC Lawyer of the Year Award". Furthermore, she is recognised as a leading shipping lawyer in many of the legal directories, including Legal 500 EMEA and Chambers & Partners Global.

Prior to the Emirates Maritime Arbitration Centre (EMAC) being amalgamated into the Dubai International Arbitration Centre in March 2022, Rania was a trustee for EMAC and is a frequent user of specialised Maritime Arbitration Centres globally.

As a result of Rania's standing in the market, she is frequently invited to public speaking engagements. Most recently, she has acted a guest speaker in relation to issues surrounding crew issues arising out of the global pandemic as well as on charterparties under English law and debt collection on the UAE law.


Rania Tadros is exceptional.

Chambers Global 2022

Expertise

  • Representing a Shipyard in its claim against a supplier of jacking systems to be utilised on jack up rigs under construction in the UAE. Representation included providing advice to the Yard on the legal and technical position of the parties leading to an early resolution of the matter with the suppliers. 

    Representing Rig Owner in a dispute with the Shipyard and a Vessel Owner following a collision whilst the Rig was under repair at a Yard. The claim involved claims for physical damage as well as delay losses / The claim was pursued through the UAE Courts and the claim value was in excess of US$5 milllion. 

    Representing OSV Owner following collision in Saudi waters with a rig causing physical damage to the rig. Our assistance included reaching an amicable resolution with the rig owners without the need for proceedings to be commenced and bringing the Vessel back on hire with minimal delay. 

  • Supporting Smit Lamnalco in their negotiations with the Jordanian authorities to provide all Port support services at the Port of Aqaba. This involved attending meetings in Jordan and negotiating scope of services as well as legal terms with the relevant teams. 

    Supporting a Dubai government entity in its negotiations for the Charter 10 year  of  a FSRU to be used in the UAE. The support extended to drafting the Charter and ancillary services agreement for the FSRU and negotiating the same with the counterparty. Deal value over US$450 million. 

    Acting as an extension of an in house legal team for a large Government entity in the UAE with respect to reviewing and commenting on various Charterparty forms relating to the Charteringin and out of oil tankers, LNG carriers and offshore support vessels. 

  • Representing a Shipyard in its claim against a supplier of jacking systems to be utilised on jack up rigs under construction in the UAE. Representation included providing advice to the Yard on the legal and technical position of the parties leading to an early resolution of the matter with the suppliers.

    Advising a shipyard with respect to delay claims from a Rig owner arising out of delay in delivery of numerous rigs. Ultimately we successfully negotiated agreed extensions of time so that the Rigs were accepted.

  • Representing Owners of OSV Vessel in their disputes with an Indian Shipyard arising out of termination of numerous construction contract. Support including oversight of arbitration proceedings seated in Dubai and subject to SIAC Rules as well as conducting a mediation for our clients.  Value – over US$50million.

    Representing a Port Concession Holder in a dispute with a Shipowner arising out of delay in delivery of Cargo allegedly due to Covid restrictions in place at the Port of loading.

    Representing a Ship owner in a claim arising out of alleged cargo contamination with Vessel being under arrest for more than 4 months in Australia. Our involvement included working closely with Australian lawyers as well as negotiating the release of the Vessel and the discharge of the Cargo. Claim value in the region of US$25million.

    Developing bespoke form based on Supplytime to be used by Offshore support vessel Owners for vessels operating in Saudi waters.

    Advising shipowner on ability to enforce English Court judgment against assets based in the UAE including the possibility of using the DIFC as a conduit jurisdiction.

  • Representing Rig Owner in a dispute with the Shipyard and a Vessel Owner following a collision whilst the Rig was under repair at a Yard. The claim involved claims for physical damage as well as delay losses / The claim was pursued through the UAE Courts and the claim value was in excess of US$5milllion.

    Representing barge owner in its claim for total loss of a barge following a fire whilst the Barge was being towed from the USA. Proceedings were brought before the English Court and settled shortly before trial. Claim value US$25million.

  • Representing OSV Owner following collision in Saudi waters with a rig causing physical damage to the rig. Our assistance included reaching an amicable resolution with the rig owners without the need for proceedings to be commenced and bringing the Vessel back on hire with minimal delay.