Outer Temple Chambers has been in the Middle East for close to a decade and our members close to 20 years. We are committed to the Region and fully understand the business and local culture, Civil and Islamic Law (Shari’ah) underpinnings of many of the Countries’ Laws as well as interface with Common Law.
We have a Dubai office which serves as the hub of our Middle East operations. We also have access to offices in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) where member of chambers Dr Ali Almihdar is a partner. Whilst Dubai has been at the centre of our legal services for many years, we [Outer Temple Chambers and its members] have advised clients and conducted disputes throughout the [MENAT] GCC region including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Turkey.
Our barristers and professional associates in Chambers have rights of audience in the Courts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”), and Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) in the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), and the Qatar Financial Centre (“QFC”). Outer Temple Chambers is the only set of English Chambers registered in the DIFC. We also co-operate with the DIFC Academy of Law, the University of Middlesex, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (“STEP”) Arabia and the New York State Bar Association International Section in the development and delivery of their professional education programmes and contribute to the DIFC LexisNexis Laws of the DIFC series.
Our members are frequently instructed in complex, high-profile and substantial commercial disputes, advising a wide range of clients, from directors, shareholders and joint venture partners to business professionals and ultra-high net worth individuals. Our work spans a range of sectors including Finance, Technology, Energy & Natural Resources, Transport (aviation, shipping, and travel), Retail, Property, Construction, Media, Insurance and Sport.
Outer Temple Chambers is acknowledged in the legal directories for commercial matters in the Middle East. These rankings reflect competency in providing expert advisory and advocacy services and facilities for Contract and Commercial, Financial, Regulatory, Taxation and Trusts, Employment, and Arbitration work in the region.
Languages spoken, in addition to English, include Arabic, French, Russian, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Spanish, Japanese, Italian, Romanian, Hindi and Urdu.
Dubai in the UAE is now one of the seven main global dispute resolution seats. Our work there involves members from the Region and in London. Outer Temple Chambers has members across the globe, in particular India, which is increasing its historical connection with the region, particularly following the agreement between the United Arab Emirates and India on Juridical and Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters was signed in 1999 and ratified in 2000 under which, from January 2020, the Government of India notified the UAE as a “reciprocating territory” for the purposes of recognising UAE civil judgments in India without a re-examination of the merits of the underlying dispute, an exercise in which Outer Temple Chambers’ members played a part, and more recently the Closer Economic partnership between India and the UAE.
Decisions of the Common Law Courts in the UAE and Qatar are enforceable throughout the Middle East and wider Arab world under the GCC Convention for Judicial Co-operation and the Riyadh Arab Convention. Other arrangements for mutual recognition of judgments include the UAE Ministry of Justice issued a circular to the UAE Civil Law Courts in relation to the enforcement of English Court judgments in those Courts. Other jurisdictions which have memoranda of understanding with the UAE common law courts include New York and Shanghai. Outer Temple Chambers and its members are well placed to assist with disputes and enforcement on matters between UK and UAE, UAE and India and matters globally that involves UK and Middle Eastern clients or businesses, and/or those with an interest or investment in respective regions.
Furthermore, the active promotion of improved regulatory structures for family businesses in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will provide the legal infrastructure for private wealth management in the region for both local and international enterprises. Outer Temple Chamber’s private wealth team are well equipped to service clients in the region ranging from Estate Planning, Trusts, Tax, Islamic Finance, Islamic Law, Succession Planning and Family Business matters. Some of our members have served on (and chaired) the DIFC’s Wealth Management Review and are currently serving on its Maritime Law review.
Outer Temple has members based in Dubai as well as others who regularly work in Dubai and throughout the Middle East region. We offer a full and unique package to clients which sets us apart with the following services:
Please contact Sam Carter on +44 (0)203 989 6669 for more information. Our experienced practice management team will be pleased to provide you with more details of our expertise in this area.
Level 15
The Gate Building
Dubai International Financial Centre
Dubai
UAE
Tel: +971 4 401 9582
Email: OTC-UAE@outertemple.com
Public transport – The Emirates Towers Metro station and the Financial Centre Metro station are both close by to the DIFC, with the Emirates Towers Metro station closest to the DIFC Gate Building.
Car Parking – There is a large car park at the Gate Building and in the Gate District with reserved valet spaces and disabled parking. The parking is paid on an hourly basis with payment terminals stations at all the building exists. For parking enquiries, please contact DIFC Parking Services on 600 541 006 or +971 4 3205017.
Meeting and conference facilities are available on an appointment basis. Wi-fi is available.
The office is fully accessible by wheelchair. From street level/car park there are dropped curbs for access and, if required, a stair lift to Marble Walk. There is lift access to Level 15.
If you require other facilities or adjustments to aid your visit please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your requirements. Our Reasonable Adjustments Policy is available upon request.
