Landmark UAE Ruling Strengthens Hand of Creditors


May 10, 2024

International investigation and dispute resolution law firm Kobre & Kim has won a landmark victory for creditors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Dubai Court of Cassation issued a final decision unwinding the transfer of shares by the debtors to a family member, even though the transfer took place before the issuance of a final judgment confirming the debt owed to Kobre & Kim’s client.

This case is part of a global strategy deployed by Kobre & Kim in monetizing an English Judgment, which was recently recognized by the Dubai courts as one of the first foreign judgments to be enforced onshore in the UAE under the new enforcement regime.

“This decision marks not just a win for our client but also another step forward in strengthening the enforceability of judgments in the UAE,” said Paul Hughes, a Dubai-based lawyer with Kobre & Kim. “By preventing debtors from transferring assets to evade a judgment, creditors in the UAE have even more opportunities to recover.”
The Kobre & Kim team that worked on this matter includes Paul Hughes, Nada Oteifi, and Michael Sanfilippo.