The Legal 500 EMEA Guide 2024 has just been released.  Serle Court has been recognised as leading set in the Commercial category for the ‘Middle East: the English Bar’. Huge thanks to all our clients for taking the time to discuss our work with the team at Legal 500.

Legal 500 quotes client comment that Serle Court ‘deservedly has an excellent reputation for DIFC cases’ and notes Chambers' equally strong presence in the Middle East arbitration space, acting as both counsel and arbitrators.

Rupert Reed KC has been recognised as ‘An excellent assured advocate with superb judgment’. Legal 500 comments that he ‘remains extremely active throughout the region in disputes concerning commercial, banking, civil fraud and property issues’.

Zoe O’Sullivan KC is an ‘excellent advocate’ who ‘gets up to speed quickly and is persuasive’ and has been noted for her work with Gregor Hogan in Al Buhaira National Insurance Co v. Horizon Energy. Dan McCourt Fritz KC is also mentioned as a new silk who attracts praise.

Gregor Hogan is ranked in the first tier of juniors for his ‘rigorous analysis and excellent written work’, with ‘thorough knowledge of DIFC procedure’. James Weale is also singled out for his drafting and attention to detail, which are ‘second to none’. Clients also mentioned his focus on the core issues, clarity of expression and even ‘a calming effect on the rest of the team’.

Rupert Reed KC and James Weale receive plaudits for their work in SBM Bank v. Renish Petrochem. The DIFC Court of Appeal recently issued its long-anticipated judgment in which it upheld the fraud judgment that Rupert, James and Gregor Hogan, acting with Dentons, had obtained at trial in 2022.

For more information and the full rankings: Commercial in Middle East: The English Bar | Law firm and lawyer rankings from The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa Guide.

Rupert Reed KC, James Weale, Gregor Hogan and John Eldridge have recently finished work on their contributions to the DIFC Courts Practice, edited by Rupert Reed KC and Tom Montagu-Smith KC, of which the Second Edition should be published later this year.

A team of Serle Court barristers, including juniors Michael Walsh and Max Marenbon and accompanied by Practice Director Dan Wheeler and Senior Practice Manager Colin Bunyan, will be in Dubai the week commencing 29 April to meet clients and share their thoughts on recent developments in DIFC, ADGM and Saudi Commercial law.  Details to follow. Let us know if you’d like to meet up.