Charles Russell Speechlys LLP bolstered its practice with the 2023 arrival of Thomas Snider, who serves as the firm's global head of arbitration, from Al Tamini & Company. Patrick Gearon handles banking, IP, and insolvency disputes, and Sara Sheffield focuses on fraud, asset tracing and recovery issues. Ghassan El Daye is often called upon to act in a range of cases regarding local civil law, international litigation, enforcement of arbitral awards, and shareholder contentions. Legal directors Peter Smith and Max Davis provide additional support.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Rapidly growing firm in Middle East disputes space, and are steadily becoming the preeminent litigation and disputes lawyers in the country. Strong mix of disputes practitioners. ’

  • ‘Paddy Gearon has great depth and breadth of knowledge.'

  • 'Sarah Sheffield is a diligent and hard working lawyer with great eye for detail.'

  • 'Max Davis is  a highly intelligent, articulate lawyer’

  • ‘The team is very professional and responsive!’

  • ‘CRS are a highly professional team of lawyers in this area and leaders in the field in the Middle East.’

  • ‘Sara Sheffield is very calm and professional with great knowledge and tactical acumen in this type of litigation’

  • ‘Sara Sheffield is extremely reliable.’

Work highlights

  • Advising Huobi OTC DMCC, a UAE cryptocurrency trader in a claim before the Technology and Construction Division of the DIFC Court against a DIFC investment company for its alleged failure to prevent the loss of a significant amount of Bitcoin during a sale and purchase transaction.
  • Represented an individual in enforcement proceedings brought by the Dubai Financial Services Authority for failings in respect of the audit of the Abraaj Group entity, Abraaj Capital Limited (ACLD).

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Patrick Gearon, Ghassan El Daye, Sara Sheffield, Thomas Snider

Other key lawyers

Peter Smith, Max Davis