Gowling WLG is further strengthening its International Arbitration practice and disputes team with the appointment of international construction lawyer Peter Anagnostou in the Middle East.

Peter will be based in Dubai and joins the firm following a decade working in the Middle East advising global contractors, funders, developers, consultants, engineers and government bodies. He has joined Gowling WLG from DLA Piper, where he was special counsel in commercial litigation and international arbitration based in Dubai and Sydney during his time with the firm.

During his career Peter has acted as counsel on numerous and sizeable international arbitrations related to major projects, infrastructure, retail and residential developments in the Middle East, including an LCIA arbitration relating to the construction of a major shopping mall in Abu Dhabi; an ICC Arbitration relating to the construction of a master plan development in Qatar; a DIAC Arbitration relating to the construction of a museum in Dubai; an ICC arbitration relating to the construction of an international airport in the region; and a DIAC arbitration relating to the construction of a marquee recreational project in Dubai.

Peter's appointment forms part of a global expansion of the firm's International Arbitration practice which has included the firm recently strengthening its team in Germany and France with partner hires of Dr. Mathias Wittinghofer and Marie-Aude Ziadé respectively, building on its strong arbitration presence in the UK and Canada.

Peter said: "I am delighted to be joining the team at Gowling WLG. As the Middle East Economy enters a golden era of growth and opportunity, Gowling WLG offers a truly international platform for me to further develop my construction arbitration practice and support my clients across the Middle East. I look forward to working with the firm to execute its ambitious growth strategy in the region and strengthen the global Construction and International Arbitration practices."

Gordon Bell, head of International Arbitration at Gowling WLG, added: "Peter adds further strength to our growing International Arbitration practice and wider disputes offering in the Middle East. We're delighted he's joined us, building on other recent high-profile hires in Europe."

Tim Casben, head of Gowling WLG's offices in the Middle East, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Peter to the team to strengthen our disputes presence in the region. The construction industry in the Middle East continues to provide some of the biggest, highest profile disputes in the world and Peter joining us is an important step in us driving forward two important practice areas in construction and international arbitration. Peter will work closely with Gordon and his team and will provide regional International Arbitration to support our growing presence across the UAE and wider region."