3 Verulam Buildings has a solid track record in commercial litigation and arbitration, banking, insolvency and fraud claims in the Middle East, frequently leading in complex cases before DIFC, ADGM and onshore Dubai-seated arbitrations. Leading silks at the set include Tom Montagu-Smith KC, who continues to represent KPMG in the audit negligence case Abraaj Investment Management Ltd v KPMG Lower Gulf and ors – a dispute concerning the collapsed asset manager’s audits, involving heavy jurisdictional issues. Yash Bheeroo leads Ravi Jackson in Alawwal Capital JSC v Rasmala Investment Bank Limited on behalf of the defendant, who is accused of misrepresenting the financial performance of a fund. Stuart Pullum is now the set’s sole director of clerking. Timothy Killen joined the group in October 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Lawyers
Leading silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Leading juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Yash Bheeroo
'Yash is an excellent advocate. He knows the law extremely well, is detail oriented, yet see the broader strategic picture.'
Georges Chalfoun
Timothy Killen
‘Tim has outstanding intellectual ability and close knowledge of DIFC law and procedure and of political and cultural issues in the region. His advocacy style is beguilingly understated, and he is listened to by judges, arbitrators and opposing counsel.’
Matthew Watson
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
