Outer Temple Chambers ranked as leading commercial set in the Middle East by Legal 500 EMEA 2026 

We are delighted to announce that Outer Temple Chambers and our team of barristers have once again been ranked as leaders in commercial law in the Middle East by Legal 500 EMEA 2026.

Legal 500 EMEA have announced their 2026 results, and we are thrilled to share that we have once again been ranked as a Tier 1 Set in the ‘Middle East: The English Bar: Commercial’ guide. Legal 500 EMEA has described Outer Temple Chambers as a set with ‘a wide range of expertise and considerable intellectual heft’ among its members.

These rankings reflect competency in providing expert advisory and advocacy services and facilities for Contract and Commercial, Construction, Financial, Regulatory, Taxation and Trusts, Employment, and Arbitration work in the region.  

Outer Temple Chambers and its members have been in the Middle East for over 20 years and is widely recognised as a leading set in the region. In addition to a Tier 1  Commercial Set ranking, eight members including one new member and a door tenant, have achieved individual rankings in the Commercial guide.

Ranked Members

Andrew Spink KC  (Leading Silk, Tier 1, The English Bar: Commercial)

Andrew Spink KC has been described by Legal 500 EMEA as “An astute negotiator and excellent leader.” Andrew is highly sought after as a leading silk in a wide range of commercial cases in the Commercial Court and the Chancery Division, as well as in the DIFC Courts, and in international commercial arbitrations. He was shortlisted as ‘Commercial Silk of the Year’ at the Legal 500 MENA 2025 Awards. He played a role as adviser to the DIFC Authority (the DIFC’s law making body) on law reform measures related to digital assets, smart contracts, digital banking and related platforms as part of the DIFC’s major “Future of Finance” initiative.

David Russell KC  (Leading Silk, Tier 2, The English Bar: Commercial)

David Russell KC practices from our offices in Dubai and London. He is seen as a leading silk around the world and is ranked in Tier 2. Over the past year, David has been completing and implementing the DIFC’s Wealth Management Review, including enactment of new Foundations and Trust Laws. David is appointed to the Arbitration and Mediation Panels of the LCIA-DIFC.   

Sean Yates (Leading Junior, Tier 1, The English Bar: Commercial)

Based in Dubai, Sean specialises in international arbitration and civil and commercial litigation with a focus on construction and infrastructure, real estate, energy and natural resource disputes. He is described by Legal 500 EMEA as “An outstanding learner who approaches his work with an open mind. He quickly grasps new information pertinent to the case and skillfully adjusts his strategy to incorporate these insights. His advocacy is consistently polite and respectful.” 

Ali Almihdar (Leading Junior, Tier 2, The English Bar: Commercial)

Dr Ali Almihdar is a barrister dually qualified to practise in England and Wales, and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ali acts as counsel, expert on foreign law and arbitrator mostly in multi-jurisdictional commercial and administrative law matters.   

Philip Punwar (Leading Junior, Tier 2, The English Bar: Commercial)

Based in Dubai, Philip Punwar is noted for his expertise in the DIFC’s law of privilege. He has significant experience of the laws and practices of both civil and common law jurisdictions gained as counsel and arbitrator in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Philip has been described by Legal 500 EMEA as “Can be very charming, and can build a good rapport with the tribunal.“

Peter Linstead (Leading Junior, Tier 2, The English Bar: Commercial)

Peter Linstead is a highly respected advocate with 25 years’ experience at the Bar specialising in Commercial and Employment work.  He is one of the foremost barristers in the region in DIFC Court of First Instance and ADGM disputes relating to employment but is also regularly instructed in inter-business commercial work in the CFI, including interim injunctions. Peter is described by Legal 500 EMEA as “Very responsive and detailed in his analysis of the law.” 

Patrick Tomison (Rising Star, The English Bar: Commercial)

Patrick has a broad commercial practice with a particular focus on employment and financial services.  He was nominated for ‘Junior Counsel of the Year’ by the International Employment Lawyer at the IEL Awards 2025. He has a thriving and established practice in both the DIFC Courts and the ADGM Courts, having appeared on multiple occasions both led and unled.  

Justina Stewart (Leading Junior, Tier 1, The English Bar: Commercial)

Justina Stewart is a door tenant at Outer Temple Chambers. Justina’s cases are typically characterised by their international and multi-jurisdictional elements, complexity and novel legal points. She has been described by Legal 500 EMEA as “Whip smart with a great bedside manner. She stands no nonsense and is all over the details of the case without losing sight of the strategic objectives. Just brilliant.“

The complete set of rankings can be viewed here. 

Find out more

Outer Temple Chambers is a leading set of expert, global barristers, specialising in commercial litigation and arbitration, company and employment law-multinational and cross-border law, regulatory issues, Islamic Finance and wealth management, and work in the world’s leading courts, including in DIFC Courts. Outer Temple has offices in London and Dubai with a wide variety of barristers and professional associates permanently based in the Middle East to ensure our established presence in the region.

To find out more about our expertise or to instruct a member of our team, please contact Lexie Johnson on + 44 (0) 207 427 0801 for more information.

News 27 Mar, 2026