Latest articles
Lathor v Liufan [2022] DIFC ARB 018: The Enforcement of DIAC Awards in Residential Tenancy Disputes
How the DIFC Courts are streamlining the transition from arbitral award to physical eviction in the private rental sector. On 14 November 2022, H.E.
Ledger v Leeor [2022] DIFC ARB 016: The High Bar for Anti-Suit Injunctions in Seat-Ambiguous Disputes
Justice Michael Black’s refusal to restrain Dubai Court proceedings underscores the limits of DIFC supervisory jurisdiction. On October 7, 2022, Justice Michael Black delivered a decisive blow to Ledger’s attempt to halt parallel litigation in the Dubai Court of First Instance.
Obert v Ondray [2025] DIFC ARB 014: The Limits of Procedural Obstruction in Award Recognition
How the DIFC Courts reaffirmed the principle of separability against a backdrop of meritless jurisdictional challenges. On 9 October 2025, H.E.
Novak v Norwood [2024] DIFC ARB 012: The Limits of Public Policy Challenges in Arbitral Enforcement
H.E. Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi clarifies the boundaries of the act of state doctrine and evidentiary standards in the DIFC Courts. On August 29, 2024, H.E.
Limeo Investment & Real Estate v Landia Educational Services [2019] DIFC ARB 012: Resolving Ambiguity in Arbitration Clauses
How the DIFC Courts interpret 'LCIA' references in the wake of the DIFC-LCIA's institutional evolution. On April 14, 2020, H.E.
Nazeer v Noah [2024] DIFC ARB 011: The Limits of Raising Foreign Law Objections in Arbitration
Justice Rene Le Miere clarifies the waiver doctrine and the high threshold for public policy challenges in the DIFC. On 15 August 2024, Justice Rene Le Miere dismissed Nazeer’s application to set aside an arbitral award, ordering the Claimant to pay USD 132,000 in indemnity costs.
Novak v Newland [2024] DIFC ARB 020: The High Threshold for Public Policy Challenges in Guarantee Enforcement
How the DIFC Courts are insulating international arbitral awards from the volatility of onshore insolvency proceedings. On 1 August 2024, H.E.
Edward Dubai v Eevi Real Estate [2015] DIFC ARB 002: The High Cost of Procedural Obstruction
How Justice Sir David Steel and Deputy Chief Justice Sir John Chadwick dismantled a campaign of tactical delay in the enforcement of a USD 264 million award.
Georgia Corporation v Gavino Supplies [2016] DIFC ARB 005: The Limits of Procedural Obstruction in Award Enforcement
Justice Roger Giles clarifies the high threshold for stay applications and the stringent proportionality test for RDC 19 disclosure requests.
YYY Limited v ZZZ Limited [2017] DIFC ARB 005: The Jurisdictional Tug-of-War and the Limits of the Joint Judicial Committee Stay
How a procedural stay under Decree 19 of 2016 paralyzed interim relief and redefined the enforcement of foreign judgments in the DIFC
EDWARD DUBAI v EEVI REAL ESTATE PARTNERS [2015] DIFC ARB 002 — Interim freezing order pending DIAC award enforcement
The DIFC Court affirms its robust stance on the enforcement of arbitral awards, granting a US$224 million freezing order despite parallel annulment proceedings in the Dubai Civil Courts.
FRAN v FAIMIDA [2015] DIFC ARB 002 — Rejection of jurisdictional challenges to DIAC award enforcement
The litigation originated from a consultancy services agreement between the parties, which led to an arbitration conducted under the rules of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).
FABIOLA v FADDEY [2015] DIFC ARB 001 — Stay of enforcement pending Dubai annulment proceedings
The DIFC Court clarifies the threshold for staying enforcement of an arbitral award when bona fide annulment proceedings are active in the Dubai Civil Courts.
Fiske v Firuzeh [2014] DIFC ARB 001 — The limits of public policy and procedural waiver in DIFC enforcement
The DIFC Court of First Instance affirms the mandatory nature of the DIFC Arbitration Law, ruling that procedural objections waived during arbitration cannot be resurrected at the enforcement stage.
Banyan Tree Corporate v Meydan Group [2013] DIFC ARB 003 — The Jurisdictional Gateway That Defined DIFC Arbitration (27 May 2014)
This landmark ruling established that the DIFC Courts serve as a conduit for the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards, regardless of whether the underlying dispute possesses a territorial nexus to the DIFC.
Oleksei v Olorun [2026] DIFC ARB 005: The Jurisdictional Limits of Precautionary Measures in Foreign-Seated Arbitrations
Justice Sir Jeremy Cooke clarifies the strict territorial nexus required for interim relief under Article 15.4 of the New Court Law. On January 28, 2026, H.E.
Limsa v Lordon [2020] DIFC ARB 008: The High Cost of Mischaracterizing Disciplinary Rulings as Arbitral Awards
Justice Wayne Martin’s rebuke of procedural confusion and the strict application of RDC 34.15 in the wake of a failed challenge.
Naidoo v Nofret [2025] DIFC ARB 011: The High Bar for Challenging Arbitral Case Management
Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi clarifies the limits of judicial intervention in ongoing DIAC proceedings On 9 May 2025, H.E.
Muhallam v Muhaf [2022] DIFC ARB 021: The High Cost of Defying the Supervisory Seat
How a USD 90 million interim award enforcement spiraled into a landmark contempt ruling and a rare writ of sequestration. On 28 August 2024, H.E.
Onorata v Onslowe [2026] DIFC ARB 026: The Limits of 'Employment' Characterisation in Shareholder Disputes
How the DIFC Courts clarified the scope of arbitral mandates in corporate governance conflicts On 7 January 2026, H.E.
Ludhyan v Lucina [2020] DIFC ARB 027: The High Cost of Defying the Supervisory Seat
How Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi used the threat of committal to enforce the integrity of the DIFC-LCIA arbitral process. On 19 November 2020, H.E.
Olen v Oreta [2025] DIFC ARB 031: The Proportionality Threshold in Post-Award Costs Recovery
How the DIFC Courts are recalibrating the standard of 'fair and reasonable' legal spend in enforcement proceedings On 2 October 2025, H.E.
Orton v Oakes [2025] DIFC ARB 035: The High Threshold for Serving Sitting Arbitrators
Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi clarifies the limits of alternative service when targeting the tribunal On September 26, 2025, H.E.
Giacinta v Gilam [2016] DIFC ARB 004: The Jurisdictional Shield Against Parallel Annulment Tactics
How the DIFC Courts solidified their role as an autonomous enforcement hub in the face of Dubai Court interference