News & Events
News & Events
Earlier this Summer, Alex Haines and Courtney Step-Marsden were instructed in an action against the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDBG), a regional Multilateral Development Bank based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Ahead of filing full Applications on the merits, Alex Haines and Courtney Step-Marsden lodged – through Provisional Applications – requests to suspend management’s decision to terminate the employment of five IsDBG Staff Members. Following the IsDBG Administrative Tribunal’s first ever hearing on Saturday 13 August 2022, the Tribunal agreed that the discretionary power of the management in international organisations is neither an absolute nor an arbitrary power and it remained subject to judicial review by the Tribunal. It consequently declared its jurisdiction to examine the case and the President of…
News 31 Aug, 2022
Outer Temple Chambers is delighted to announce that longstanding member Michael Bowes QC has been appointed a Circuit Judge, sitting on the Western Circuit from 19 September 2022. On 18th August 2022, it was announced that the Queen has appointed Michael Anthony Bowes QC to be a Circuit Judge on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable Dominic Raab MP and the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Right Honourable The Lord Burnett of Maldon. Circuit Judge Appointment: Bowes The Lord Chief Justice has deployed Michael to the Western Circuit, based at Portsmouth Combined Court Centre with effect from 19 September 2022. He will be known as His Honour Judge Bowes QC. A leading light at…
Business Crime, News 19 Aug, 2022
We are pleased to share that Alex Line has recently been appointed to the Attorney General’s London B Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown. Outer Temple’s Alex line has recently been successful in joining the Attorney General’s London B Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown. He will be appointed for a period of 5 years, starting on 1st September 2022 and Ending in August 2027. We congratulate Alex on his success. Find out more Alex Line specialises in the areas of employment and education law. He has extensive employment and discrimination law experience, having practised in these areas throughout his career at the Bar. He has a broad range of experience in education law matters, with particular expertise in the law relating…
News 17 Aug, 2022
We are pleased to announce that Outer Temple Professional Associate, Ian Johnston, has recently been appointed as the Chief Executive of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. Ian Johnston was previously the Chief Executive of the DFSA from 2012 to 2018 and is now being re-appointed from 1st September 2022. He is taking over from Christopher Calabia who has resigned from the role. DFSA chairman, Fadel Al Ali, has said “We look forward to welcoming Ian back to lead the DFSA.” Find out more Ian Johnston was admitted to practise law in Australia in the early 1980s where he spent most of his career in the private sector – with a number of notable and senior positions within the financial world.…
News, International 5 Aug, 2022
Michael Bowes QC led the SFO team in its successful prosecution of David Ames, Chairman of Harlequin, who defrauded investors of £226 million in relation to overseas property investments. On 3 August 2022, David Ames was found guilty of two counts of fraud by abuse of position. An SFO (Serious Fraud Office) investigation uncovered how Ames deceived over 8,000 UK investors in the Harlequin Group, a hotel, and resorts development venture. Victims were led to believe they had a secure investment in property whereas, in reality, Harlequin Group was never operating as promised. The business model relied upon investors paying a 30 percent deposit to purchase an unbuilt villa or hotel room, half of which went toward fees for Harlequin…
Business Crime, News 5 Aug, 2022
After a long running dispute, the DIFC Court of Appeal has dismissed the claim in Massun v Mousi & Ors. Outer Temple members, David Russell QC and Stephen Doherty, acted for the Second and Third Defendants. After a long running dispute, the DIFC Court of Appeal has dismissed the claim in Massun v Mousi & Ors. Outer Temple members, David Russell QC and Stephen Doherty, acted for the Second and Third Defendants. The Claimant had claimed to have a beneficial interest in the shares of certain companies at the top of two corporate structures. Two large assets were held in these corporate structures, registered to companies at the bottom of the structures. The Claimant claimed that the companies had tried…
News, International 2 Aug, 2022
OTC’s Robert Dickason is instructed for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. Following the official launch by Baroness Hallett of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on 21st July 2022, and the commencement of Module 1 focusing on the UK’s preparedness for a pandemic, the process of evidence gathering is already underway. OTC’s Robert Dickason, one of the Attorney-General’s B Panel counsel, is instructed for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (formerly the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government). Robert’s instruction reinforces OTC’s involvement in the Inquiry from its outset. See also our recent announcement of Paul Livingston and Joshua Cainer joining the Inquiry’s legal team here. The next 12 months sees…
Covid-19, News, Inquests & Inquiries during Covid-19, Public Law 1 Aug, 2022
The UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry has now officially opened, headed by Baroness Heather Hallett who has appointed 50 junior Counsel to the legal team including OTC’s Paul Livingston and Joshua Cainer. Baroness Hallett launched the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on 21st July 2022 and opened its first investigation into the preparedness of the UK for a pandemic. Baroness Hallett also set out the timetable for the first 12 months of the Inquiry saying, “It’s time for facts, not opinions – and I will be resolute in my quest for the truth. The Inquiry is already gathering evidence and I will be holding public hearings next year.” The next 12 months sees Module 1 looking into the UK’s preparedness for a pandemic.…
Covid-19, News, Inquests & Inquiries during Covid-19, Public Law 29 Jul, 2022
We are proud to share that Outer Temple Professional Associate, Anthony Lo Surdo SC, has been recognised by Doyles Guide as one of Australia’s Leading Arbitration Barristers for the 4th consecutive year. The Doyles Guide 2022 listing of leading Australian Arbitration Barristers, details Senior Counsel and Junior Counsel identified by clients and peers as having particular expertise in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution matters across all Australian legal markets. Anthony has previously been ranked as a leading mediator in New South Wales by Doyles Guide for the 5th consecutive year. Please click here for more details. Anthony Lo Surdo SC is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and registered in the Australian Register of Practising Arbitrators as a Grade 1…
Arbitration, News 26 Jul, 2022
Outer Temple Chambers is delighted to welcome another new addition to our growing Business Team; George Bennett as Senior Practice Manager. Joining our formidable clerking table, George will be working alongside Matt Sale in the development and management of some of our business focused barrister’s practices, with particular focus on the areas of Pensions & Trusts, Fraud, Insolvency and Restructuring, and Private Client. He will help Matt manage and develop client relationships, both domestic and internationally, and maintain Outer Temple’s excellent service levels. George began his clerking career in 2008 working at some of the leading commercial and chancery sets in London. He brings with him an abundance of knowledge and energy in this field. George is a member, and…
News 26 Jul, 2022
Outer Temple’s Robert Rhodes QC and Anthony Lo Surdo SC were judges for the Thailand Arbitration Center’s first International Mediation Competition. This event took place on Wednesday 20th July 2022. The Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) organised the “1st Virtual International Mediation Competition 2022”. The competition aimed to unleash the potential of young mediators around the world as well as encouraging them to gain knowledge and a proper understanding of the usage of mediation skill. There were about a dozen judges for this event, from all over the world. We are proud to share that highly experienced Outer Temple barrister, Robert Rhodes QC, and our Professional Associate Anthony Lo Surdo SC, were asked to be judges for this event. He says…
Events, International, Mediation 22 Jul, 2022
Outer Temple’s James Counsell QC and Justina Stewart will be providing advocacy training as part of the DIFC Laws Certificate programme. This talk will take place on 25th-26th July 2022. The DIFC Academy are hosting a course named ‘Advanced Advocacy Skills’ which is part of the Certificate in Common Law, DIFC Laws & Courts Practice programme. The course will explore the application of traditional advocacy skills to activities routinely performed by lawyers. There will be three parts to this course, all being given by Outer Temple Chambers Barristers. The first of the three talks will be performed by James Counsell QC and Justina Stewart. They will be focusing on ‘Trial advocacy and witness handling and examination’ and their training will involve:…
Events, International 20 Jul, 2022
