Paul Hughes advises clients on matters involving cross-border shareholder and company disputes that have a nexus to the United Arab Emirates, splitting his practice between international arbitration and courts in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). 

With over eight years of experience in the region, Mr. Hughes focuses on cross-border disputes by offering creative strategies designed to monetize or dilute high-stakes, complex, multijurisdictional claims. Specifically, he has extensive experience in the enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards, asset tracing, fraud investigations, banking litigation and other contentious shareholder disputes.

A leading practitioner in the DIFC, Mr. Hughes has handled high-profile, multi-billion-dollar disputes and enforcement actions in the financial center. He has been recognized by the Legal 500 as a "superb legal strategist who has a strong grasp of the legal and commercial drivers in any case" and is "relentless in pursuing the interests of his client in advancing their case," as well as "an exceptional litigator" who is "incredibly hard-working, knows how to lead and delegate where necessary and is measured, but aggressive where appropriate." Chambers and Partners called Mr. Hughes "absolutely excellent," offering "a good mix between practicality and legal knowledge" and is "an all-round lawyer."

Before joining Kobre & Kim, Mr. Hughes led the GCC Dispute Resolution team at Addleshaw Goddard’s Dubai office. Prior to that, he practiced at Clyde & Co LLP.

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• Who's Who Legal 2023 Global Guide Recognizes Kobre & Kim and 13 Lawyers
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• Pathways for Global Bondholders to Effectively Oppose Unjust UK Restructuring Plans
• How Israeli, Middle Eastern and African Individuals Should Respond to Criminal Allegations from Foreign Governments
• Global Creditors Can Successfully Fight Fraudulent Conveyance in Dubai
• Bringing a Global Perspective to Challenge Offshore Awards Successfully
• How International Creditors Can Crack Delaware's Notoriously Tough Trusts
• Paul Hughes to Chair Panel on Best Practices in Obtaining Information for Lawyers During RILPA Conference in Dubai
• Don’t Overlook China in Difficult Chapter 11 Asset Recovery Efforts
• Lessons from LBRY: Standing Up to Regulatory Oversight
• Chambers Global 2023 Recognizes Kobre & Kim and Multiple Global Lawyers
• Enforcing a Foreign Judgment in the UAE: New Opportunities
• Enforcing Minority Shareholder Rights in Asia: A Comparative Guide to Just and Equitable Winding Up
• Paul Hughes and John Han Explore Middle East Insolvency Disputes Trends in Dubai Seminar
• Global Crisis Management For Targets of Large-Scale Crypto Fraud
• Enforcing Minority Shareholder Rights in Asia: A Comparative Guide to Derivative Actions
• Enforcing Minority Shareholder Rights in Asia: A Comparative Guide to Unfair Prejudice
• Maximizing Recovery Against a Sanctioned Sovereign
• Kobre & Kim and Lawyers Recognized in Multiple Chambers Global 2022 Categories
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• Paul Hughes and Nada Oteifi Unpack Middle East Dispute Trends at Dubai Arbitration Week Seminar
• Kobre & Kim Enhances Capabilities in Dubai and the Middle East