Dentons‘ team ’provides an excellent service and has a number of experienced lawyers’ in international litigation and arbitration for clients in banking, manufacturing, and real estate development. Work covers shareholder disputes, debt and asset recoveries, and construction arbitrations. Managing Partner Dean Ryburn is highly experienced in relevant legislation in commercial and construction cases, while Christopher Brennan brings experience in compliance and investigations on disputes. ‘Technically superb and very easy to work with’, Suzannah Fairbairn is a key contact in projects-related matters. Faris Shehabi also comes recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team showed excellent knowledge in the dispute resolution area.'
- 'Dentons is a heavyweight in international arbitration in the Middle East. The team regularly handles some of the most complex and high-value disputes work that there is. Dentons' team is small enough to be nimble and able to react to all developments as they arise and their strategic approach is always the right one.'
- 'Dean Ryburn is a stellar partner. Brilliant with clients, he has excellent commercial and strategic vision and consistently achieves good outcomes. Suzannah Fairbairn is technically superb and very easy to work with.'
- ‘The team was very responsive and also demonstrated a great sense of commercial acumen, not acting like typical private practice lawyers. The interest and efforts were put more on settling with controlled fees and not on having the matter drag on for a longer time.’
- ‘Faris Shehabi is another rising star in this field.’
- ‘The team at Dentons provides an excellent service and has a number of experienced lawyers.’
- ‘Chris Brennan is a stand-out star solicitor. He is brilliant in every way and stands out for his ability to identify and press the winnable but difficult points that can save a client’s case.'
Key clients
- The State Bank of Mauritius
- Haulotte Middle East FZE
- Khalili Family Trust
Work highlights
Successfully obtained an immediate judgment against the Defendants for US$30m in debt in May 2021, followed by a finding in fraud before the DIFC Court in December 2021. The Defendants appealed the fraud finding, and the appeal hearing took place in September 2023. The DIFC Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in March 2024 and the team were successful in persuading the Court to dismiss the appeal.
Acting for a syndicate of leading Middle Eastern banks in an LCIA arbitration seeking recovery of more than AED2.5 billion under the Financing Documents for a landmark Middle East infrastructure project.
Representing Haulotte Group and its Middle Eastern subsidiary, Haulotte Middle East FZE, in several ongoing litigation proceedings against its distributor, United Gulf Equipment Rentals LLC (UGER), in the Dubai Courts.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Dean Ryburn
Other key lawyers
Christopher Brennan; Suzannah Fairbairn; Faris Shehabi