Antonia Birt

Dispute avoidance

Antonia focuses on dispute avoidance, advising clients on effective drafting of dispute resolution clauses and supporting proactive contract and document management to mitigate potential conflicts. When disputes do arise, she focuses on achieving amicable resolutions, using a variety of settlement and alternative dispute resolution tools, including expert determination and mediation. Antonia's approach combines strategic foresight with a commitment to practical, client-centred solutions.

Arbitration practice

Antonia has represented state, national, and multinational clients in arbitrations in a variety of industry sectors including oil and gas, energy, water, construction and engineering, project development and real estate, distribution, corporate and M&A, as well as other financial and commercial disputes. She has experience acting under the rules of the ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, DIAC, SCCA, ADCCAC, ICDR, and UNCITRAL, with seats in the major arbitral centres as well as various GCC jurisdictions, and pursuant to numerous governing laws, including those of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and England and Wales.

Since 2013, Antonia has sat as arbitrator in disputes under the ICC, LCIA, DIAC, SIAC, SCCA, arbitrateAD and DIFC-LCIA rules. She is also listed on several other institutional panels.

Litigation practice

Antonia represents clients facing commercial disputes before the DIFC and ADGM courts. She has full rights of audience before the offshore courts of the UAE, and acts as counsel and advocate. Together with the team's onshore litigation professionals, she advises clients on their most complex disputes in local UAE courts, collaborating with experienced local counsel.

Global dispute strategy and multi-jurisdictional matters

Antonia advises clients on complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes, including civil fraud claims and asset tracing. She manages global dispute strategy across arbitration and litigation proceedings, coordinating cross-border disclosure exercises, applications under 28 U.S.C. § 1782 and interim relief in multiple jurisdictions. Her approach is focused on building a coherent, coordinated strategy that positions clients for the strongest possible results.

Investigations and compliance practice

Antonia has advised clients under investigation by the World Bank, the UK Serious Fraud Office, and various EU competition authorities. She has represented clients before regulatory bodies, led internal investigations and compliance training, and advised clients on internal compliance procedures.

Contributions and distinctions 

Antonia regularly contributes to the arbitration community and currently serves as global co-chair of the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge. She has been appointed as UAE delegate to the ICC Global Commission on Arbitration and ADR for the term 2024-2027. Since 2019, she has taught the International Arbitration Practicum to LL.M. students at the Pantheon-Assas University Paris II, UAE. Since 2025, Antonia also teaches the Commercial Arbitration module to LL.M. students at the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi. Antonia is a member of the IBA Commercial Arbitration Case Law Subcommittee responsible for the UAE, having co-authored the original and updated editions of the IBA Guide on Arbitration, UAE law chapter.

Antonia was named Arbitration Lawyer of the Year at the Lexis Nexis Women in Law Awards 2024. She was also shortlisted for the Middle East Rising Star Award at the Chambers Middle East Awards 2024. She is ranked in Lexology Index 2026 as Highly Recommended for Arbitration, Recommended for Litigation and Construction, and in Chambers and Partners Global 2026 for Dispute Resolution.