Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)

Martin represents the Defendant in defending a claim for unpaid loans, post-termination severance entitlements, and a counterclaim for a breach of a non-solicitation clause. The case is ongoing.

Martin represents the Defendant seeking permission to appeal from the first instance judge in relation to an order made for recognition and enforcement. An arbitration claim had been issued and served by the Claimant seeking recognition and enforcement of an arbitral award from Singapore for approximately $3m concerning a maritime dispute. Following an unsuccessful jurisdictional challenge, the Court issued an ex parte order recognising and enforcing the arbitral award. The appeal concerns whether the ex parte order can be properly issued if the claim had been served. The parties are awaiting the outcome of the application seeking permission to appeal

Represented a major Dubai bank in opposing a mandatory interim injunction requiring the bank to keep thousands of prepaid debit cards used by low income workers operational.

Martin represented the first defendant and successfully opposed an urgent application seeking American Cyanamid injunction orders sought in aid of arbitration proceedings seated in Milan. The substantive proceedings touched upon the elections of the board of directors of a semi-public body incorporated in the mainland Dubai, and potential misconduct allegations made against the first claimant. The DIFC claim was for the preservation of the status quo and preservation of certain documentation pending arbitration proceedings. The submissions advanced covered the DIFC Courts' 'fundamental jurisdiction' drawing distinctions between freezing orders and American Cyanamid injunctions. Martin's submissions also focused on the discretionary element in granting injunctions including the applicants' failure to exhaust more appropriate remedies, i.e. using the Emergency Arbitrator procedure on an ex parte basis and then enforcing those orders in the mainland Dubai courts where D1 was incorporated. The Court concluded that it did not have fundamental jurisdiction and in any event would not exercise its discretion in granting the injunctions.

Claim for breach of duties against Wakil under a Restricted Wakalah Agreement

Advising a major company based in Dubai in respect of a Worldwide Freezing Order imposed by the DIFC Courts and the consequences of the order.

Representing and appearing as sole counsel for the Claimant in the DIFC Court of First Instance for employment related claims for notice pay, other contractual entitlements, penalties, loss of earnings, and successfully defending a $2,000,000 counterclaim brought in negligence and pure economic loss.

Representing the Claimant as lead counsel in a claim before the DIFC Court of First Instance seeking specific performance and/or mandatory injunction and damages requiring the Defendant as the local shareholding sponsor of a Dubai company to transfer shares held as a bare nominee pursuant to the Nominee Agreement.

Represented the Claimant as lead counsel in a Part 8 claim seeking declaratory relief for DIFC-LCIA arbitration with the main determination concerning the DIFC Courts’ jurisdiction under the DIFC Arbitration Law and Decree 34 of 2021.

Conspiracy to defraud involving ‘contra-trading’ and offshore operations in the United Arab Emirates.

Attachment of a super-yacht following UK's largest divorce.

Represented a UAE-based bank against a Ghanaian bank arising from a default in the repayment of a special-purpose trade finance loan following the bank’s insolvency. This matter involved claims under Ghanaian law.

Multiple claims for enforcement of securities following the UAE’s largest healthcare provider collapse.CE Bank v NMC, BS (and Ors.)Bank of B. v N, NMC, BS (and Ors.)State Bank of I. v NMC, BS (and Ors.)C. Bank v NMC, BS (and Ors.)B. Bank v BS (and Ors.)

Representing the Claimant claiming for unpaid rent, and other related damages, totalling in excess of £3m, where a variety of defences have been advanced including standing of the Defendants, and force majeure. The Defendants seek to argue that the Dubai Floods of April 2024 absolved their obligations to pay rent. Martin successfully opposed the Defendants' application for immediate / summary judgment seeking to remove the individual Defendants (D2 and D3) from the proceedings. Martin made an application for summary / immediate judgment concerning the availability of force majeure as a defence under the DIFC Contract Law where the obligation is a 'mere obligation to pay'. This application was successfully and the force majeure defence was dismissed. The trial of the matter is due for June 2026.

Represented the First Defendant as counsel in opposing immediate judgment in respect of a $34,000,000 fraud allegedly committed against Dr Shetty.

Claim by Payment Services Company following the contractual termination of banking arrangements.

Claim for declaratory relief against major UAE based banks caught up in a conspiracy to forge multi-million AED personal guarantees.

Commercial Claim following US FINCEN enforcement action against a Lebanese bank.

For declaration that multi-million Dirham personal guarantees were fraudulent and void ab inito.

MENA, GCC and Swiss Asset Recovery Claim - with claims in Lebanese and Swiss law (civil and criminal).

Martin represented the first defendant seeking to oppose the granting of a worldwide freezing injunction for over $100m. Martin's submissions centred on the DIFC Court's jurisdiction as to whether the Claimant is a Licensed DIFC Establishment, whether the doctrine of forum non conveniens needs reconsideration under the new Law 2 of 2025, and substantive submissions on the freezing injunction. The case concerned the divestments of assets globally allegedly in order to prevent enforcement of a Dubai Court's judgment. The claims are primarily based in tort under UAE law. The case is ongoing with Martin being led by Faisal Osman.

Martin represents the second defendant in a dispute concerning the liabilities of the first defendant to the claimant under a joint venture agreement and loan agreement for approximately £3,000,000. The second defendant's liability arises under an alleged oral guarantee agreement given over a telephone conversation. The trial is due for September 2026.

Represented the subcontractor in opposing the continuation of an anti-suit injunction where the subcontractor had brought proceedings in the Abu Dhabi courts in breach of an arbitration agreement and had secured payment under those proceedings.

Represented the Respondent (MAG) on appeal concerning the availability of Article 82 of the DIFC Contract Law (Force Majeure) in contracts which do not contain force majeure clauses, and the meaning of the phrase "Except with respect to a mere obligation to pay". Martin successfully argued that the words "Except with respect of a mere obligation to pay" relate to simple obligations untied to other obligations, which has universal application in all DIFC governed contracts absent force majeure clauses. The decision is the first and only Court of Appeal authority on the application of statutory force majeure in all commercial contracts.

Asset recovery proceedings following a multi-million pound cross-border fraud involving hidden assets in the UAE.

A claim for an inquiry into damages following the DIFC Court of Appeal setting aside worldwide freezing orders. The case is the first known case where the DIFC Court of First Instance permitted an inquiry into damages resulting in the award of damages comprising irrecoverable legal costs in related foreign proceedings. The case also comprehensively addressed the Court’s jurisdiction to grant an inquiry into damages where worldwide freezing orders were set aside for lack of jurisdiction.

Responding to a claim for an urgent interim injunction heard by the DIFC Digital Economy Court concerning the relationship between two terminated commercial contracts between a financial services provider and a prominent UAE bank in respect of the provision of pre-paid debit cards to low-income workers in the UAE.

Represented the Claimant as lead counsel at an ex parte interim anti-suit injunction claim before the DIFC Courts’ Arbitration Division, and on appeal before the DIFC Court of Appeal seeking to prohibit the main contractor in a construction project from continuing its suit in the local Dubai Courts in breach of a DIFC-LCIA arbitration agreement with the place of arbitration as Dubai.

Represented a subcontractor as lead counsel before the DIFC Courts’ Arbitration Division seeking to set default judgment aside granting declaratory relief arguing waiver in respect of an arbitration agreement.

Appeal arising as to whether the DIFC Court has jurisdiction and power to issue freezing orders in aid of proceedings in a foreign court which may yield a judgment enforceable in the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”) and the Emirate of Dubai.

Institutional investors who held contingent convertible (AT1) bonds in the Spanish bank Banco Popular Español in claims against the Single Resolution Board before the General Court of the Court of Justice of the European Union. This matter involved claims under Spanish and EU law.

Claim against BVI receiver by UAE claimants, relating to London based real property.

Claim by Globe Investment (UAE) against a company owned by the Commercial Bank of Dubai for alleged unpaid debt obligations.

Represented the Claimant in anti-suit injunction appeal.

Advising former employees of an international bank based in the DIFC in respect of suspected regulatory breaches of the DFSA Rulebook in relation to onboarding of clients in breach of AML rules.

Claim for contractual entitlement following an alleged breach of terms, practice and duties against a well-known Qatari/International organisation.

Commercial claim by Turkish contractor relating to unpaid invoices.

Enforcement of security against UAE company by a Dubai Bank.

Injunctive proceedings in support of a foreign claim enforcing a UAE judgment (in excess of $100m). The case involved complex issues of non-disclosure and the jurisdiction of the DIFCC to make free-standing injunctions in aid of foreign proceedings against a non-judgment/non-cause of action respondent.

Coordinating counsel in the multi-jurisdictional enforcement of a series of commercial and criminal judgements (over $2bn).