Insights / News
Insights / News
Outer Temple Chambers is pleased to share that Ian Johnston and Aditya Swarup have joined Outer Temple Chambers as Professional Associates, further strengthening our international presence and expertise.
We welcome back our old colleague Ian Johnston, who stepped away from his Professional Associateship for a short time to take on a second stint as Chief Executive at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). His return further strengthens our offering within the Middle East. Ian has vast expertise in regulation, financial services and governance. He was Chief Executive and Board Member of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) from 2022 to 2025 and from 2012 to 2018, having joined in 2006 as Managing Director of their Policy and Legal Services Division.
As a lawyer, Mr Johnston has held a number of other senior positions within the global financial sector, and is a champion for financial regulatory excellence. Until mid-2025, he served as Vice Chair of IOSCO’s Africa and Middle East Regional Committee and as an IOSCO Board member. In 2026, Ian takes up the position as a member of the Board of Trustees of the International Valuation Standards Council, the global standard-setting body for valuation practice, based in London. He also serves on the advisory committee of the Dubai Chambers (International Chamber) and is a Board member of two not-for-profit organizations, the Fred Hollows Foundation (HK) and Opera Scholars Australia.
Aditya Swarup has built a successful counsel practice in India over the past decade specialising in commercial arbitration, litigation, and infrastructure disputes. He has appeared in arbitrations seated in India and abroad (Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Paris and London) under SIAC, UNCITRAL, and ICC Rules. We are delighted that he has chosen Outer Temple Chambers to expand his practice internationally. His call to the Bar of England & Wales in March 2026 means he will be one of only a handful of dual-qualified counsel based out of India.
Aditya is routinely briefed by prominent Indian and foreign law firms, to appear as lead counsel or co-counsel in arbitrations/ litigations and has worked with and been led by several prominent Kings Counsel and Senior Advocates based both in London and India. He has edited renowned Indian commentaries on “Civil Procedure” and “Specific Relief” and has been published in numerous journals including Arbitration International and Civil Justice Quarterly.
Director of Clerking, Chris Gittins said of their joining, “Both Ian and Aditya bring a unique and exciting offering to Outer Temple Chambers. Chambers will benefit hugely from their expertise and experience. I would also like to extend my congratulations to Aditya on joining the Bar of England & Wales. His dual practice will flourish.”
Lexie Johnson, Practice Director for the International Team said of Ian and Aditya, “A very warm welcome to our International Team and I am looking forward to working with them on some exciting new projects in their respective regions.”
To find out more about Ian or Aditya, contact Lexie Johnson on + 44 (0) 207 427 0801 for a confidential discussion.
News 16 Feb, 2026
Practice Director
