3 Verulam Buildings has particular expertise in banking and finance disputes and international arbitration in the Middle East. Andrew Onslow QC represented a number of the defendants in the London leg of the high-profile SKAT v Solo Capital Partners dispute concerning "cum-ex trading" alleged to be a fraud by the Danish tax authorities; the matter also featured large-scale proceedings in the DIFC. In Abu Dhabi, Ewan Mcquater QC is leading the counsel team, which includes David Quest QC among others, for the lenders in NMC Healthcare Ltd v Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC, the largest insolvency in the region. Hodge Malek QC is another standout name and acted for an Iranian petrochemical company in a $70 million banking fraud claim. The set welcomes the arrival of Tom Montagu-Smith QC, who joined in 2021 from XXIV Old Buildings.
Commercial in Middle East: The English Bar
3 Verulam Buildings
Testimonials
Set
‘I think 3VB is a growing and successful set, which top barristers from other sets have joined in recent years. Within the world of banking litigation and commercial litigation, there certainly is strength-in-depth and the junior counsel in particular are very available to assist.’
‘A first rate and top commercial set.’
‘3VB have great strength in depth and are one of the key chambers for banking and director / shareholder disputes.’
‘3VB is the dominant presence in the Middle East. They have members at all levels of seniority being regularly instructed to appear in the DIFC or ADGM courts and in arbitrations.’
‘3VB has an excellent selection of barristers with an knowledge and experience of commercial matters in the Middle East, and in Dubai in particular. 3VB is a reliable set of hands for any commercial matter in Dubai.’
Clerking
‘The set is very well clerked. Stuart Pullum is very efficient, responsive, can-do and importantly likeable and sensible when it comes to agreeing fees. Much better to deal with than the other top commercial chambers in my view.’
‘Samantha Jones is very quick in responding questions. She is also resourceful, and very pleasant to deal with.’
‘The clerks are very good and responsive, in particular Stuart Pullum who is outstanding.’
‘Steve Penson is first rate, extremely helpful and responsive, even when he is on leave. He is also well supported by his colleagues.’
‘In my experience, the clerks I have dealt with are always responsive and very helpful.’
Quadrant Chambers
Quadrant Chambers has a strong international commercial disputes offering and showcases in-depth sector expertise. The set has an established presence in the shipping, trade and marine insurance sectors, in addition to its extensive corporate and commercial disputes practice. Chirag Karia QC specialises in cross-border commercial, shipping and commodities cases, and Guy Blackwood QC is another key individual to note and has an impressive international arbitration practice.
Testimonials
Set
‘The set have always been extremely helpful and pleasant to deal with. They provide top quality support and back up, to the extent of even being willing to go outside Chambers in the very rare event of their being unable to provide Counsel from the set for a specific task.’
‘Increasingly strong commercial set in addition to the traditional shipping strengths that the set is known for.’
‘Quadrant remains my chambers of choice for commercial work particularly in international trade.’
‘The strengths, I would say, are in shipping, trade and marine insurance, but they are becoming well known for commercial and corporate disputes too.’
Clerking
‘Gary Ventura – simply the best.’
‘Strong. User friendly.’
‘Capable. Gary Ventura remains a premier league senior clerk.’
‘The clerks are good – they are understated not too pushy.’
‘Excellent. I have always found Joint Senior Clerk Simon Slattery a pleasure to deal with.’
XXIV Old Buildings
XXIV Old Buildings‘ Michael Black QC has a well-established presence in the Middle East and showcases in-depth expertise across the oil and gas, shipping, leisure and retail, banking and insurance sectors; in the DIFC he represented Credit Suisse in making a claim against Gulf Petroleum in relation to alleged fraud and against directors under personal guarantees. Steven Thompson QC is another key individual to mention. Key changes in the set include the departure of Tom Montagu-Smith QC who joined 3 Verulam Buildings in 2021.
Testimonials
Set
‘XXIV Old Building have a great depth of practice in the Middle East.’
‘24 Old Building remain the go to set of chambers for DIFC and UAE law work in my view.’
‘XXIV is a genuinely international set with strength in depth at all levels of seniority.’
‘XXIV remain the leading chambers for work in Dubai with depth in numbers at all levels of seniority.’
‘XXIV Chambers lawyers are responsive, effective and of exceptional quality. They have a deep bench of outstanding barristers and are my “first call” for complex disputes in the MENA region. I would compare them favourably with any other Chambers in the market.’
Clerking
‘James Ladbrook is good to deal with and is responsive and available.’
‘Paul Horsefield is responsive and understands our needs well.’
‘Most of my communication is with Paul Horsfield who is always a delight to deal with.’
‘The clerks are responsive and friendly, I have worked mostly with Samantha Perry and James Ladbroke who have both been very helpful.’
‘Clerks are friendly, helpful and efficient.’
4 Stone Buildings
The members of 4 Stone Buildings have DIFC court experience and are particularly well suited to advising clients on finance and commercial disputes. Sharif Shivji QC was instructed in the now-settled Akhmedova v Akhmedov case, acting for Straight Establishment, a Liechtenstein establishment owning a superyacht valued at around $500m, in a global asset tracing matter in which the ex-wife of Azeri-Russian businessman Farkhad Akhmedov sought to enforce the London family courts' largest ever financial remedy order.
Testimonials
Set
‘Good reputation in the chancery/commercial market space.’
‘Well known in the chancery/commercial area with a good offering.’
‘For work in this region, they are a top set.’
Clerking
‘David Goddard, Senior Clerk has played a crucial role in fostering our relationship with the set.’
‘We have found the clerks to be extremely flexible, cooperative and efficient.’
‘Outstanding service and responsiveness.’
Outer Temple Chambers
Commercial litigation, arbitration, company and employment law are key areas of strength for Outer Temple Chambers. Joint head of chambers Andrew Spink QC has an extensive company law practice, demonstrated through his involvement in advising on new DIFC company law and legislation. Dr Ali Almihdar advises on the full spectrum of commercial law and has a particularly strong focus on advising clients in Saudi Arabia, where he is also locally admitted alongside his English qualification. Tax and trusts specialist David Russell QC is another key individual to note.
Testimonials
Set
‘Every barrister I have had the pleasure with at Outer Temple has been extremely impressive. They are very approachable and I appreciate their focus on maintaining relationships with solicitors.’
‘Strong and impressive presence in the Dubai International Financial Centre and the international legal community there. One of the foremost chambers in the jurisdiction.’
‘OTC has an excellent stable of barristers with impressive performances in the Middle East.’
‘Frequently delivers training programmes in the UAE, including the DIFC and ADGM. Offers strength in depth in matters requiring both lead and junior counsel. Several members of chambers have spent time in the Middle East and have a very good understanding on the legal landscape in onshore and offshore UAE jurisdictions.’
Clerking
‘Colin Bunyan is always very helpful and responsive.’
‘Sam Carter is first class. Easy to deal with and very efficient.’
‘The clerks are helpful and friendly. They are also commercially sensitive and flexible.’
‘Colin Bunyan is quick to respond and helpful.’
39 Essex Chambers
39 Essex Chambers has a broad commercial litigation and arbitration offering with expertise ranging from banking and finance, through to company and share purchase disputes. Karishma Vora is a commercial litigation specialist and is dual-qualified in India and England; Karishma is defending cybersecurity company Spectrami DMCC in Emirates NBD Bank PJSC v KBBO CPG Investment LLC and others in a $294m freezing injunction case in the DIFC courts. Jonathan Bellamy has expertise in all the major arbitral forums in the region.
Testimonials
Set
‘The chambers set has good strengths in their mix of expertise across a wide range of legal areas including the ability to offer barristers for claims in jurisdictions outside the UK. They are also able to offer good availability of barristers, including for matters in Dubai.’
‘The strength and depth of counsel at 39 Essex is impressive. Whether this is for counsel or arbitrator appointments, there will be a selection of top tier candidates with unrivalled expertise proposed.’
Clerking
‘Niki Merison has always been very helpful and available to have a frank discussion on fees and any client restrictions on budget.’
‘The clerk service is at a very high standard. Mark Winrow and Niki Merison in particular are very responsive and approachable.’