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Insights / News
We are delighted to be ranked in the Chambers Global 2026 Guide as a Band 3 Set in Dispute Resolution: The English Bar (Middle East-wide). Outer Temple Chambers has been in the Middle East for close to a decade with a Dubai office which serves as the hub of our Middle East operations. We are the only set of barristers’ chambers with a registered office and members on the ground, within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and registered on Part 2. Our members are frequently instructed in complex, high-profile and substantial commercial disputes, advising a wide range of clients, from directors to ultra-high net worth individuals.
Chambers Global Guide 2026 describes Outer Temple Chambers as “Particularly well regarded for its deep regional knowledge and its ability to navigate the intersection between English law and Middle Eastern legal systems. Its barristers bring a rare combination of technical excellence and cultural sensitivity, making them highly effective.“
The Chambers Global Guide ranks the top global lawyers and law firms in over 200 jurisdictions across the world based on in-depth research. This ranking provides a recommendation that can be relied on to ensure clients are confident when choosing our legal services.
We are also delighted that six of our members have been recommended individually in the 2026 Guide, including one newly ranked member.
Nicolas Stallworthy KC, Andrew Spink KC, David E Grant KC, Philip Punwar and Sean Yates have all been recognised within the English Bar: Dispute Resolution categories of the Middle East-wide directory:
Nicolas Stallworthy KC – Band 3 – Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery (UK). Nick’s commercial international litigation practice includes the interpretation of debentures and contested valuation issues; private equity transactions and restructuring. He is described as “Absolutely brilliant and technically superb. If you’re really in a hole with a case and you need to find an ingenious argument, he is your man. A good advocate. Judges really listen to him.”
David E Grant KC – Band 4 – Dispute Resolution: Commercial Chancery (UK). David has vast experience in commercial litigation matters with clients such as leading international businesses, prominent charities and trusts, and various statutory bodies, as well as high net worth individuals and group claimants. He has been instructed in a wide range of commercial court and comparable matters in different jurisdictions. David is described as “A hard worker and a good lateral thinker who never gives up. Very down to earth, user-friendly and meticulous. He never misses a thing.”
Andrew Spink KC – Band 6 – Dispute Resolution: Commercial (UK). Andrew is highly respected in the field of international commercial arbitration in Dubai and elsewhere. His reputation as an advocate is such that he is regularly instructed by overseas clients seeking heavyweight representation in English law commercial matters both in England and abroad. He was shortlisted as ‘Commercial Silk of the Year’ at the Legal 500 MENA 2025 Awards. He is described as “A distinguished silk, who is great to be alongside in the trenches. Capable of turning a complex situation into a clear decision for clients. Very good at high level strategy stuff, but also very hands-on.“
In addition to our Band 3 Set ranking, two members were ranked individually;
Philip Punwar – Band 3 – Dispute Resolution: The English Bar. Philip Punwar is an established practitioner who is well-known within the UAE legal community. 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. His recent engagements have concerned real-estate Mega Projects in the Gulf, investment treaty claims arising out of the MENA and South Asia regions, aircraft charter agreements, concession agreements in the water sector and technology disputes in the finance and healthcare sectors. He is described as “Highly sophisticated, polished and has excellent commercial awareness.“
Sean Yates – Band 3 – Dispute Resolution: The English Bar. A new entry to this category, 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 has experience in both common law and civil law disciplines and can advise on both international and local law matters in the UAE. He is registered as an arbitrator with the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) and the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre (TIAC), sits as an arbitrator and acts as a mediator. Sean is described as “Stand[ing] out for his deep regional expertise in UAE arbitration. His courtroom demeanour reflects strategic awareness and refined professional judgement. Very easy to work with. His ability to distil complex issues, navigate complex arbitrations and frame persuasive legal arguments speaks to a level of advocacy that is technically robust and commercially grounded.”
Lucian Ilie has once again been recognised within the Global Market Leaders directory for his impressive arbitration work.
Lucian Ilie – Band 3 – International Arbitration – The English Bar (Global Market Leaders). Lucian has been once again ranked in this category. He is an English barrister and a French and Romanian avocat specialising in international law, transnational litigation and international arbitration, with particular expertise in investor-State disputes and commercial arbitration cases. With over 12 years of experience in London and Paris, Lucian has acted as counsel and arbitrator in more than 25 international arbitral proceedings brought under many of the major arbitration rules governed by civil law and common law with seat of arbitration in England, France, Switzerland, Romania, Belgium and Austria. He is described as “Very knowledgeable and has great attention to detail as well. A great litigation lawyer with great experience in arbitration and outstanding business strategy. Can rely on him in every part of the job and at every moment of the job. His expertise and experience in arbitration is unsurpassed.”
Read full details of what Chambers Global say about us at: Outer Temple Chambers, Global 2026 | Chambers Profiles
To find out more about our Chambers Global 2026 ranked barristers contact Lexie Johnson on + 44 (0) 207 427 0801.
News 13 Feb, 2026
Call: 1993 Silk: 2011
Call: 1985 Silk: 2003
Call: 1999 Silk: 2022
Call: 1989
Call: 1996
Call: 2021 (English solicitor advocate since 2018);
2016 (Bucharest); 2013 (Paris)
Practice Director
