News & Events
News & Events

Philip Punwar was recently successful in obtaining the dismissal of all claims brought against an international logistics provider under an agreement for the charter of an A330 Airbus. The $2 million claim was dismissed by a London-seated tribunal applying English law. Based in Dubai for over 20 years, Philip is an English qualified barrister and arbitrator who has acted as sole, party-nominated and presiding arbitrator in ad hoc, ICC, DIAC and LCIA arbitrations seated in the Middle East and across Europe. He has previously acted for parties to agreements for the charter of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, including those supplied to, and operated in, areas of conflict and natural disaster. Dubai Arbitration Week Philip will be attending various events and…
News 10 Nov, 2025

We are thrilled to share that Outer Temple Chambers has won ‘Litigation Team of the Year’ at the inaugural LAW Middle East Awards 2025, held in Dubai. The LAW Middle East Awards ceremony recognised achievements across a range of categories, reflecting the breadth of innovation and excellence shaping legal teams in the Middle East. We are overwhelmed to have been recognised as ‘Litigation Team of the Year’ in the region, amongst 11 firms being nominated at the ceremony held on 4th November at the Palazzo Versace, Dubai. Outer Temple Chambers has been in the Middle East for close to a decade with an office in Dubai which serves as the hub of our Middle East operations and provides support to…
News 6 Nov, 2025

James Counsell KC has secured £900,000 for a former Royal Navy chef at a settlement meeting on 5 September 2025. The settlement is believed to be to be one of the largest ever for this kind of injury. The Claimant’s naval service had been cut short after she suffered a condition known as ‘non-freezing cold injuries’, affecting both hands and feet as a result of exposure to extremely cold conditions on an exercise in Norway in 2019. She later had to be medically discharged due to injuries, some of which remain with her and are permanent. The Claimant, whose image was and still is used by the Royal Navy on promotional recruitment and training material, had an excellent record in…
News 3 Nov, 2025

We are delighted to welcome Warren Shapiro SC to Outer Temple Chambers’ Commercial team as a Door Tenant. With members already based in London, Middle East, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, New York, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Russia and India, we are pleased to now have a presence in South Africa with Warren Shapiro SC joining the OTC team as a door tenant. Warren was called to the Bar in South Africa in 2001, and took silk in 2021. Apart from sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge and a Labour Court Judge periodically since 2021, he is retained as an arbitrator in commercial and community scheme disputes. Warren’s practice is largely in commercial and administrative law, with…
News 3 Nov, 2025

International Arbitration expert Lucian ILIE will be joining the 4th panel session at the South Eastern Europe Arbitration Conference (SEEA) on Friday 28th November 2025 in Athens, Greece. This year’s theme, “Navigating Arbitration Frontiers in SEE: AI, Energy, Investment & Technology Disputes”, reflects the regions increasingly complex legal landscape. Panels will explore cutting-edge challenges and opportunities in the arbitration of: Energy disputes, including treaty withdrawals and legacy contract claims; Technology and AI, examining the evolving duties of arbitrators and institutions in a rapidly digitizing world; Investment arbitration, in the shifting geopolitical and regulatory climate of the SEE region. The conference will ask how arbitration can continue to deliver justice and stability across South Eastern Europe amidst technological disruption and shifting regulatory frontiers. Outer…
News 3 Nov, 2025

Dubai based barrister Philip Punwar has once again been ranked as Global Elite Thought Leader for Commercial Litigation in the Client Choice category in the Lexology Index 2025 report, previously known as Who’s Who Legal. Established in 2005, Client Choice recognises those law firms and partners around the world that stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service. The Lexolology Global Elite Thought Leaders are categorised as the best of the best across their research, achieved by only around 5% of listed practitioners. Individuals ranked as Thought Leaders are considered leaders in their field. Fewer than 50% of individuals considered are selected for inclusion. Philip Punwar has been ranked as a ‘Recommended Barrister’ in the Client Choice…
News 30 Oct, 2025

Oliver Powell KC will be joining an array of expert speakers at International Employment Lawyer’s Cross-Practice Working Masterclass on Wednesday 19th November 2025. Employment law rarely exists in a vacuum, and today’s workplace disputes often spill into other areas of legal practice. From data protection breaches and criminal investigations to competition law concerns and contractual issues, modern employment disputes are increasingly multi-dimensional. This half-day conference will explore how these intersections shape litigation and advisory work, and will equip in-house counsel and HR leaders with insights on how to navigate the complexities that arise when employment law crosses into broader legal territory. Oliver Powell KC will be speaking alongside Jane Niven of Bechtel, Susannah Kintish of Mishcon De Reya and Vanessa…
News 30 Oct, 2025

Dubai based barrister David Russell KC will be speaking at the Private Client Exchange Middle East 2025, taking place on 30th to 31st Otcober 2025 at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, UAE. The Private Client Exchange Middle East agenda has been thoughtfully designed to deliver high-value discussions, expert insights, and strategic thinking for today’s senior private client advisers, litigators, and lawyers. Over the two days, this event will explore the evolving landscape of private wealth in the Middle East, with sessions that delve into legal, cultural, and generational shifts affecting ultra-high-net-worth families. Outer Temple’s David Russell KC will be speaking on Friday 31st October from 11:50am to 12:30pm. David will dicsuss ‘Latest Local Developments and High-Stakes Succession Disputes in…
News 29 Oct, 2025

Outer Temple Chambers’ International Arbitration specialists will be co-hosting a talk with Afridi & Angell during Dubai Arbitration Week on Thursday 13th November; ‘Navigating Sanctions, Jurisdictional Restrictions, and Enforcement Challenges in Arbitration: Insights from the UAE and England.’ In an era marked by rapid geopolitical change and increasingly complex sanctions regimes, legal counsels and arbitrators face growing challenges in navigating disputes that intersect with international trade restrictions, cross-border jurisdictional issues, and enforcement barriers. This session provides a comparative analysis of how these issues are being addressed in both commercial and investment arbitration, with a particular focus on the UAE and England, two jurisdictions at the forefront of international dispute resolution. The panellists will explore strategies for managing sanctions-related risks, handling…

The Court of Appeal has today handed down judgment in the case of Abel Estate Agent Ltd & Ors v Elizabeth Reynolds [2025] EWCA Civ 1357, clarifying the consequences of failure to comply with ACAS Early Conciliation. Outer Temple Chambers’ Employment Law Team acted on both sides in the Court of Appeal in the case of Abel Estate Agent Ltd & Ors v Reynolds. Gus Baker and Jessica Franklin, instructed by Kilgannon & Partners LLP, represented the appellants/respondents. On the other side were Will Young and Chevan Ilangaratne, who were instructed pro bono through Advocate to represent the respondent/claimant. The Court of Appeal has confirmed that section 18A of the Employment Tribunals Act 1996 sets a strict precondition for the presentation of Employment Tribunal claims.…
News 27 Oct, 2025

Sajid Suleman appeared in the DIFC Court of Appeal for the successful Appellants in the landmark anti-suit injunction dispute in Nashrah v Najem (1) and Nex (2) – ARB 005/2025. The case involved a complex jurisdictional dispute concerning an anti-suit injunction granted by the DIFC Court of First Instance, which halted proceedings in the English High Court. The English proceedings included an expedited application for a stay under section 9 of the Arbitration Act 1996, and a hearing for an anti-arbitration injunction – scheduled to take place the day after the DIFC anti-suit injunction was obtained. The Respondent also commenced arbitration proceedings in the DIAC. The contract at the heart of the dispute, signed after Dubai Decree No. 34 of…
News 24 Oct, 2025

Personal Injury expert Olinga Tahzib will be speaking at Brain Injury Group’s Webinar on ‘Maximising Recovery in Brain Injury Cases: Highlights from Facts and Figures 2025/26’ on Tuesday 28th October 2025. Brain Injury Group was established in 2011 and was the UK’s first national network of dedicated brain injury solicitors. They offer access to the very best legal advice from member firms that meet their strict criteria and operate under their ethical code of conduct. Outer Temple’s Olinga Tahzib will be speaking alongside Harry Trusted of 2 Temple Gardens at this APIL Accredited Webinar. The speakers will discuss the following: Introduction to Facts & Figures and the Ogden tables What the discount rate is and why we need it Care…
News 23 Oct, 2025