William is a barrister with over eight years’ experience. His practice focuses on arbitration as well as litigation before the DIFC and ADGM Courts. He has represented major financial institutions, media and technology companies and firms involved in all aspects of the construction industry. William acts as an advocate in complex international arbitrations, freezing injunctions and a variety of commercial disputes.
Before relocating to Dubai, William practiced law as a barrister in Dublin. He regularly appeared before the High Court and Court of Appeal with a specialisation in cases involving the financial sector.
William holds a degree in history from Columbia University and a law degree from the University of Cambridge.
Experience
Sandra Holding v. Al Saleh (DIFC CFI-092-2021): Represented the defendants, four individuals from Kuwait, subject to freezing injunction issued by Justice Sir Jeremy Cooke in the sum of $45 million. Vacation application heard over two days in November 2022. Responsible for all oral and written advocacy on what is now one of the leading authorities on the scope of the DIFC Court’s jurisdiction.
LCIA Arbitration: Successfully represented a leading provider of intellectual property in a five-day arbitral hearing against a prominent broadcaster in the MENA region. The dispute, valued in excess of $24 million, concerned the supply of content over a span of several years. Arbitration chaired by Christopher Style KC, now chairman of the London Court of International Arbitration. Was responsible for all advocacy (including the examination of seven witnesses), pleadings and written submissions.
Khadour v. Hawash (DIFC CFI-026-2022): Represented the Claimant in a shareholder dispute concerning control of a DIFC registered company. In a written judgment dated 14 June 2023, Justice Michael Black confirmed that the DIFC Court’s duty to supervise DIFC entities can trump a contractual clause which excludes the DIFC Courts’ jurisdiction.
IEMS v. Emirates Specialty Hospital (DIFC CFI-114-2020): Acted for the claimant, a Japanese owned MEP contractor, in a AED 53 million claim for work carried out during the conversion of a shopping mall to a hospital in Mirdiff, Dubai.
Re Union Heritage Life Assurance 2017/422COS: objected to a proposed amalgamation of three major insurance companies on the grounds that such would unduly prejudice multiple ongoing specific performance actions. Trial judge consider the interaction between the European Communities (Life Assurance) Framework Regulations 2015 and the Insurance Act 1989.
Allied Irish Banks PLC v. Stack [2018] IECA 128: represented the plaintiff bank before the High Court and Court of Appeal securing summary/immediate judgment in the sum of €2,253,590.84. This decision is a leading authority on the requirements to obtain summary judgment in Ireland.
