Nicola specialises in insolvency-related disputes in the UAE and beyond, and in commercial and financial disputes before the DIFC Courts. Nicola has been in the Middle East since 2009.

Nicola acts for creditors, debtors and insolvency practitioners on a wide range of insolvency-related matters before the DIFC, ADGM and onshore UAE Courts, including advising office holders in their capacity as such, and utilising the procedures available in the UAE Courts to support the ultimate aim of the appointment, and to facilitate recoveries for creditors. Nicola advises on the various insolvency and restructuring-related processes in the UAE, and relevant stakeholder rights and duties, and is part of the Charles Russell Speechlys team acting on the liquidation of Awal Bank BSC(c).

Nicola also specialises in commercial and financial disputes before the DIFC Courts and in particular, freezing orders and matters relating to jurisdiction challenges. Nicola has acted on a number of high profile and/or seminal cases in this regard, including Credit Suisse v Goel, the first ever “Courts of Dubai” ‘opt-in’ case under Article 5(A)(2) of the Judicial Authority Law, and AIG v QIC and UIC v IPMR, which continue to develop the line of jurisprudence relating to jurisdiction challenges in the DIFC Courts.

Claudine is a highly experienced litigator who acts for corporate and individual clients on a variety of commercial disputes destined for the High Court. Her work has a particular emphasis on contractual disputes, breach of fiduciary duties, shareholder duties, D&O claims, civil fraud, breach of warranty, professional negligence, sale of goods and supply of services, and misrepresentation. 

Her Chambers & Partners ranking as Up and Coming reflects her ability to manage complex and technically demanding cases. Commercially astute, she is passionate about pursuing the right outcome for her clients. Claudine has experience litigating through the Courts domestically and internationally. She is also experienced in resolving disputes through mediation and by alternative means.

Claudine is a member of the Firm’s Women in Leadership in Law committee and an active contributor to our Achieving Balance initiative. 

Claudine is admitted to practise in England and Wales.

Bethan advises on corporate and personal restructuring and insolvency matters.

Bethan has experience acting for a wide range of stakeholders including insolvency practitioners, corporate entities, individuals and other key parties in both contentious and non-contentious restructuring and insolvency mandates (including several with complex cross-border elements).

Matthew has a thriving commercial disputes practice. He is an advocate in demand, appearing regularly in court and arbitral proceedings and now often instructed in his own right against silks. His experience spans banking and financial services, the sale of goods and commodities, company and insolvency litigation and civil fraud. His initial practice at a Chancery set also gives him particular expertise dealing with trust and equitable claims in a commercial context.

He is recommended in both the Legal 500 and in Chambers and Partners as a leading junior. He is described as a “go-to junior barrister” singled out as “phenomenally bright”, “really industrious” and “totally impressive.” The directories commend him for his “sharp legal mind” and ability to “master complex legal issues quickly and with ease.” He is valued amongst solicitors and clients as a barrister who “can always be relied upon.”

Matthew’s commercial practice has a significant international dimension. He has acted in court and arbitral proceedings in the Middle East, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Singapore, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the British Virgin.

Matthew has also been described by the directories as the “best junior barrister” in the market for litigation before common law courts and arbitral tribunals in the Middle East. Both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners recommend him as one of the leading juniors specialising in Middle Eastern litigation. He is particularly singled out for his “experience and knowledge of DIFC law and practice.” He is one of the contributors to DIFC Court Practice and was part of the drafting team for the court rules in NEOM, a new Saudi Arabian free zone.

Julie director in our recovery and reorganisation practice and one of the leaders of the firm's complex and international insolvency team.  

Her expertise is in the management and execution of large and complex insolvency assignments. These assignments typically involve multiple appointments across a variety of jurisdictions, large and complex debt structures, significant litigation and allegations of fraud.

She regularly work with 'magic circle' law firms in London as well as with leading restructuring and litigation practices across the globe.