Ghassan El Daye > Charles Russell Speechlys LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Lawyer Profile

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Index Tower, West Entrance, Level 20, Unit 2002
DIFC
DUBAI
P.O. Box 507226
United Arab Emirates

Work Department

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Position

Partner, Head of Arabic Litigation Practice

Career

hassan heads the Arabic litigation practice in the Middle East and specialises in all areas of litigation and dispute resolution, with a particular emphasis on construction, commercial, civil, banking, real estate and criminal matters. Ghassan’s legal career spans over 28 years, over the course of which he has acted in some of the GCC region’s most complex and high-profile litigious cases to date.

Ghassan’s extensive in-depth experience in legal domain areas including local civil law, international litigation, the recognition and enforcement of foreign and regional awards and judgements, extradition matters, Interpol Red Notice challenges, financial crimes and debt recovery matters have enabled him to represent clients in a range of landmark cross border disputes. He supports a loyal client base comprising individuals, families/family offices, HNWI’s and commercial entities within the UAE, around the wider MENA region and across Europe, Asia and the US as well.

Ghassan also advises clients in relation to domestic Arabic arbitrations and international arbitrations conducted in the LCIA, ICC, QICCA, ADCCAC AD, DIAC and in the KSA. He has a wealth of experience advising on procedural matters in arbitration and the enforcement of arbitral awards in different jurisdictions across the GCC and internationally. Within his litigation practice in the UAE, Ghassan provides representation through local lawyers in all levels of local and federal courts (first instance, courts of appeal and cassation).

Ghassan is admitted to practise in Lebanon.

Languages

English, Arabic

Lawyer Rankings

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: compliance and investigations

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP‘s team specialises in handling complex investigations, offering strategic guidance on areas such as financial crime, anti-bribery, asset tracing, whistleblowing, and emerging issues like virtual assets and cybercrime. Sara Sheffield has a broad remit of work including cross-border commercial disputes, fraud, asset tracing and recovery, contentious insolvency, and regulatory investigations. Ghassan El Daye focuses on civil litigation. John Lewis left the firm in 2024.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation

With Arabic-speaking civil law specialists and common law litigators, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP acts on complex, high-value disputes for governments, regulatory bodies, multinational corporations, and high-net-worth individuals, frequently navigating cross-border issues. The firm is particularly strong in asset tracing and recovery work, and also has a solid body of work relating to extradition and treaty-related disputes. Patrick Gearon is well-reputed for his contentious financial services expertise. Sara Sheffield ‘is a leader in litigation and arbitration in the jurisdiction‘ and has an extensive cross-border practice. Ghassan El Daye has civil law and common law capabilities and acts on financial crime and shareholder disputes and debt recovery issues. Thomas Snider joined from Al Tamimi & Company in August 2024 and and heads up the arbitration offering. Nicola Jackson joined from Clyde & Co LLP in May 2024 bolsters the team’s capabilities in insolvency litigation. Peter Smith and Max Davis also offer support. John Lewis left the firm.