Latest articles
MIQAL v MERANI [2023] DIFC CFI 041 — Appeal of Small Claims Tribunal construction dispute (11 September 2023)
The dispute arose from a construction contract dated 5 July 2023 for fit-out and installation works at the Claimant’s villa. The relationship soured when the Respondent (the contractor) failed to complete the works within the agreed timeframe, leading the Claimant to engage a third party to finish…
KIRTANLAL INTERNATIONAL DMCC v STATE BANK OF INDIA [2024] DIFC CFI 041 — Indemnity costs for abandoned fraud allegations (25 January 2024)
The DIFC Court of First Instance reinforces the punitive nature of indemnity costs, ordering a claimant to pay AED 2,237,704.06 in interim costs following the pursuit of groundless allegations of fraud and dishonesty.
Kirtanlal International DMCC v State Bank Of India [2023] DIFC CFI 041 — Consent order dismissing proceedings against international defendants (06 November 2023)
The litigation involved Kirtanlal International DMCC as the claimant, initiating a Part 7 claim on 13 June 2022 against four distinct entities. While the first defendant was the State Bank of India (DIFC Branch), the second, third, and fourth defendants—Jingjiang Special Steel Co.
Kirtanlal International DMCC v State Bank Of India [2023] DIFC CFI 041 — Procedural timeline adjustment (19 October 2023)
A procedural Consent Order issued by the DIFC Court of First Instance adjusting the evidentiary exchange deadline in a multi-party commercial dispute involving international steel entities and banking institutions.
Kirtanlal International DMCC v State Bank Of India [2022] DIFC CFI 041 — Banking facility termination following fraud discovery (11 October 2023)
Kirtanlal International DMCC (Kirtanlal) initiated proceedings against the State Bank of India (DIFC Branch) (SBI) seeking damages for breach of contract, breach of a duty of care, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of regulatory duties.
KIRTANLAL INTERNATIONAL DMCC v STATE BANK OF INDIA [2023] DIFC CFI 041 — Procedural directions for service and jurisdiction challenges (08 September 2023)
The litigation concerns a high-stakes dispute involving Kirtanlal International DMCC as the Claimant and a multi-party respondent group, including the State Bank of India (DIFC Branch) and three Chinese steel entities: Jingjiang Special Steel Co. Ltd, Hubei Xinyegang Steel Co.
KIRTANLAL INTERNATIONAL DMCC v STATE BANK OF INDIA [2023] DIFC CFI 041 — Procedural variation of pre-trial review costs (04 September 2023)
The litigation involves Kirtanlal International DMCC as the Claimant, bringing action against the State Bank of India (DIFC Branch) as the First Defendant, alongside three corporate entities: Jingjiang Special Steel Co. Ltd, Hubei Xinyegang Steel Co. Ltd, and CITIC Pacific Special Steel Group Co.
KIRTANLAL INTERNATIONAL DMCC v STATE BANK OF INDIA [2023] DIFC CFI 041 — Pre-trial procedural management and stay application dismissal (24 August 2023)
The litigation involves a complex dispute between the Claimant, Kirtanlal International DMCC, and multiple defendants, including the State Bank of India (DIFC Branch) and various entities within the Citic Pacific Special Steel Group.
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2026] DIFC CFI 041 — Summary assessment of costs following successful document production application (29 January 2026)
The DIFC Court of First Instance clarifies the cost consequences of late-stage concessions in document production, awarding USD 400,000.00 in costs against the Defendants for their obstructive conduct.
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2024] DIFC CFI 041 — Procedural adjustment to document production timelines (13 December 2024)
The lawsuit involves the liquidators of Abraaj Investment Management Limited and Abraaj Capital Limited pursuing claims against KPMG Lower Gulf Limited, KPMG (a firm), and KPMG LLP. The litigation, which has been ongoing since 2021, centers on complex allegations of professional negligence and…
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2024] DIFC CFI 041 — Summary dismissal of illegality defence (27 November 2024)
Chief Justice Wayne Martin denies KPMG’s application to strike out claims for regulatory fine recovery, preserving the illegality defence for a full trial.
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2024] DIFC CFI 041 — Consent order for discontinuance against non-existent entity (22 November 2024)
This consent order formalizes the removal of a misidentified defendant from the ongoing litigation involving the liquidation of Abraaj entities, streamlining the pleadings for the remaining KPMG parties.
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2024] DIFC CFI 041 — procedural roadmap for the Abraaj liquidation litigation (11 November 2024)
The litigation concerns a high-stakes professional negligence and liability claim brought by the liquidators of Abraaj Investment Management Limited and Abraaj Capital Limited against KPMG Lower Gulf Limited, KPMG (a firm), and KPMG LLP.
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2024] DIFC CFI 041 — Case management and transcription protocols (31 October 2024)
The litigation arises from the collapse of the Abraaj Group, with the Claimants—Abraaj Investment Management Limited and Abraaj Capital Limited, both currently in official liquidation—pursuing claims against KPMG Lower Gulf Limited, KPMG (a firm), and KPMG LLP.
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2024] DIFC CFI 041 — Procedural extension for Reply to Defence to Counterclaim (10 October 2024)
The litigation involves complex claims brought by the Claimants, Abraaj Investment Management Limited and Abraaj Capital Limited (both currently in official liquidation), against the Respondents, KPMG Lower Gulf Limited, KPMG (a firm), and KPMG LLP.
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT v KPMG LOWER GULF [2024] DIFC CFI 041 — Procedural extension for Reply to Defence to Counterclaim (13 August 2024)
The DIFC Court of First Instance formalizes a revised procedural timeline in the ongoing litigation between the Abraaj liquidators and the KPMG entities, granting a consensual extension for the filing of the Reply to Defence to Counterclaim.
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2024] DIFC CFI 041 — Procedural extension for complex liquidation litigation (19 July 2024)
The DIFC Court of First Instance formalizes a critical procedural adjustment in the ongoing professional negligence litigation involving the Abraaj Group liquidation.
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2024] DIFC CFI 041 — Costs assessment and jurisdictional limits (15 July 2024)
Justice Wayne Martin clarifies the DIFC Court’s authority regarding the assessment of costs, distinguishing between internal procedural orders and those originating from the Joint Judicial Committee (JJC).
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT v KPMG LOWER GULF [2024] DIFC CFI 041 — Procedural extension for complex liquidation litigation (19 June 2024)
The litigation involves the Claimants, Abraaj Investment Management Limited and Abraaj Capital Limited—both currently in official liquidation—pursuing claims against KPMG Lower Gulf Limited, KPMG (a firm), and KPMG LLP.
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2024] DIFC CFI 041 — Consent order for evidence extension (14 June 2024)
The litigation involves the Claimants, Abraaj Investment Management Limited and Abraaj Capital Limited (both in official liquidation), pursuing claims against KPMG Lower Gulf Limited, KPMG (a firm), and KPMG LLP.
ABRAAJ INVEST MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2024] DIFC CFI 041 — The limits of consent-based stays in the face of prolonged JJC delays (22 February 2024)
Chief Justice Zaki Azmi’s order clarifies the court’s inherent power to lift a stay of proceedings, even when established by a consent order, where the underlying jurisdictional uncertainty before the Joint Judicial Committee (JJC) remains unresolved after years of delay.
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2023] DIFC CFI 041 — Lifting an indefinite stay of proceedings (24 November 2023)
The litigation arises from allegations of systemic audit failures brought by the Claimants, Abraaj Investment Management Limited and Abraaj Capital Limited (both in official liquidation), against the Respondents, KPMG Lower Gulf Limited, KPMG (a firm), and KPMG LLP.
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2023] DIFC CFI 041 — Procedural alignment of Defence filings (14 November 2023)
This consent order formalizes a procedural stay regarding the Third Defendant’s obligation to file a Defence, contingent upon the ongoing appellate maneuvers of the First Defendant following the refusal of permission to appeal the Jurisdiction Judgment.
ABRAAJ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED v KPMG LOWER GULF [2023] DIFC CFI 041 — Dismissal of permission to appeal jurisdictional ruling (02 November 2023)
The DIFC Court of First Instance reaffirms its jurisdictional reach over professional negligence claims, denying KPMG Lower Gulf’s attempt to challenge a prior ruling that established the Court's authority to hear the Abraaj liquidation-related litigation.