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Peter Smith

Legal Director

Peter is a Barrister with experience of a wide range of civil and commercial disputes and sectors, including arbitration, banking and finance, company, employment, insurance, insolvency, media, real estate, technology and construction, and professional negligence.

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About

In the Legal 500 (UAE Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and International Litigation), Peter was recommended as a ‘Rising Star’ in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 and was described as “notable” in 2019. He was included in the inaugural Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist Middle East in 2022 and again in 2023.

Peter is admitted to practise in England and Wales (barrister), Dubai International Financial Centre (Part 1 and Part 2 registered), and the Emirate of Dubai. He has appeared before the ADGM Court of First Instance and has rights of audience at the Astana International Financial Centre Court (2019).

Experience

  • Acting for a prominent UAE family in litigation in the DIFC, UAE, and English Courts.
  • Acting for the claimants in a multi-million dollar claim in the DIFC Courts arising from the misappropriation of bitcoin cryptocurrency.
  • Acting in complex, multi-jurisdictional litigation for a prominent UAE insurer in the DIFC and Dubai Courts.
  • Representing a family office in its winding-up in the ADGM.
  • Representing the respondent UAE (DMCC) company in an ad hoc, Dubai-seated arbitration relating to specialist engineering equipment.
  • Acting for a Russian SPV in an insurance dispute in the ADGM Courts.

Recognition

  • L500 -PPP 2022 - Middle East

Our thinking

  • Abu Dhabi Global Market introduces new employment regulations in the financial free zone

    Peter Smith

    Quick Reads

  • DIFC Courts reassert their jurisdiction to issue worldwide freezing orders in support of foreign proceedings

    Jinan Jawad

    Quick Reads

  • Arbitration in UAE and Saudi – where are we now?

    Peter Smith

    Insights

  • Saudi Arabia publishes new foreign investment law

    Peter Smith

    Insights

  • In-Depth Virtual Currency Regulation

    Sara Sheffield

    Insights

  • Peter Smith and Hannah McDonald write for Expert Witness Journal on the use of experts in international arbitration

    Peter Smith

    In The Press

  • The Use of Experts in International Arbitration

    Peter Smith

    Insights

  • A Guide to Arbitrability in International Arbitration

    Peter Smith

    Insights

  • DIFC Courts Release 2023 Annual Report

    Peter Smith

    Quick Reads

  • Essential Intelligence – UAE Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery

    Sara Sheffield

    Insights

  • Peter Smith shares his thoughts on digital asset disputes for Legal Community MENA

    Peter Smith

    In The Press

  • Unlocking Digital Asset Disputes: Strategies for Success

    Peter Smith

    Insights

  • ESG in the Arbitration Arena: Balancing Act or Game Changer?

    Patrick Gearon FCIArb

    Insights

  • Patrick Gearon and Peter Smith share their perspectives on navigating ESG considerations in arbitration for Legal Community MENA

    Patrick Gearon FCIArb

    In The Press

  • Charles Russell Speechlys hosts international arbitration event in Dubai

    Peter Smith

    Quick Reads

  • Anti-Suit Injunctions – How they work in Arbitration

    Peter Smith

    Insights

  • Arbitration Remains Attractive for Digital Disputes In 2024

    Peter Smith

    Insights

  • Peter Smith writes for Law 360 on emerging arbitration trends in technology

    Peter Smith

    In The Press

  • Supporting access to justice in the Middle East

    Peter Smith

    Insights

  • Enforcement of Foreign Judgments: United Arab Emirates - DIFC

    Patrick Gearon FCIArb

    Insights

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