HFW maintains a strong disputes offering in the Middle East, with a sizeable team of common and civil law practitioners. The practice is active across litigation and arbitration in the DIFC, ADGM and onshore courts, and is noted for its capability in complex cross-border disputes and contentious insolvency matters. Nick Braganza and Yaman Al Hawamdeh co-lead the practice, with Braganza noted for insolvency and white-collar crime matters, and Al Hawamdeh for his commercial and shipping litigation expertise. Rami Al Tal represents multinationals and financial institutions across banking and shareholder disputes, as well as criminal matters. James Plant and Slava Kiryushin are recognised for construction-related work, while Sam Wakerley focuses on insurance matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The response and speed of turnaround on urgent matters has been second to none.'
- 'Nick Braganza has been outstanding and I wouldn’t hesitate to instruct him again. He has built a strong relationship with myself and the team ensuring that we understand he approachable in nature and always on hand to provide advice and support on what has been a fast paced and hard fought matter.'
- 'The new general litigation practice that was introduced is important, which is led by Partner Rami Al Tal.'
- 'Partner Rami Tall is among the top litigators.'
- 'HFW’s Dispute Resolution team stands out for its deep understanding of complex, high-value arbitration and cross-border litigation, particularly in matters involving the Middle East. The team combines technical excellence with commercial pragmatism, providing advice that is both legally sound and strategically aligned with client objectives. What distinguishes HFW is its accessibility and collaborative working style — partners remain hands-on throughout, ensuring consistency and responsiveness.'
- 'The individuals I have worked with at HFW demonstrate exceptional professionalism, depth of expertise, and genuine client commitment. In particular, Rami Al Tal stands out for his strategic foresight, pragmatic advice, and ability to balance legal precision with commercial sensibility. The associates supporting him are equally impressive — responsive, detail-oriented, and proactive in managing complex disputes under tight timelines.'
Key clients
- MacIntyre Hudson LLP
- Ultimate Oil & Gas DMCC
- Stuart Ritchie and three other ex-employees of AES International Limited
- Korg Trading FZE
- Aston FFI Suisse SA
- Bank of Jordan
- Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance
- Bank GBP International SA/Westford
- Aquarius Global Limited
- Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC
Lawyers
Next generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Nick Braganza; Yaman Al Hawamdeh
Other key lawyers
Rami Al Tal; James Plant; Slava Kiryushin; Sam Wakerley