Paul Hughes photo
Paul Hughes
Lawyer
Dubai
Office 27-01, Level 27
ICD Brookfield DIFC
P.O. Box 506778, Dubai, UAE
+971 4 454 3903
Dubai
Office 27-01, Level 27
ICD Brookfield DIFC
P.O. Box 506778, Dubai, UAE
+971 4 454 3903

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 eleven 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.

Admissions

  • Dubai International Financial Centre
  • England & Wales, Solicitor
  • Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Fellow)
  • Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts

Education

  • College of Law (Chester), Legal Practice Course, distinction
  • College of Law (Chester), Graduate Diploma in Law
  • University of Leeds, BA

Accolades

  • Global Chambers and Partners, Band 5 United Arab Emirates
  • Legal 500, EMEA 2021
  • Legal 500, EMEA 2020

 

Publications & Presentations

  • Panelist, "Disputes Trends Across the Middle East" (Dubai Arbitration Week, Dubai, November 2021)
  • Speaker, “Enforcement of UAE Judgments in India” (Asian Legal Business India In-House Legal Summit 2020, Mumbai)
  • Speaker “Arbitration in East Africa” (NCIA and Kenyan branch of CIARB, Dubai, November 2019)
  • Co-author, “Springboard injunctions to take off in the DIFC courts?” (In House Lawyer, Autumn 2019)
  • Author, “Profitable partnerships - how to avoid disputes in overseas retail joint ventures” (Lexology, May 2016)

Credentials

Admissions

  • Dubai International Financial Centre
  • England & Wales, Solicitor
  • Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Fellow)
  • Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts

Education

  • College of Law (Chester), Legal Practice Course, distinction
  • College of Law (Chester), Graduate Diploma in Law
  • University of Leeds, BA

Accolades

  • Global Chambers and Partners, Band 5 United Arab Emirates
  • Legal 500, EMEA 2021
  • Legal 500, EMEA 2020

News

Publications & Presentations

  • Panelist, "Disputes Trends Across the Middle East" (Dubai Arbitration Week, Dubai, November 2021)
  • Speaker, “Enforcement of UAE Judgments in India” (Asian Legal Business India In-House Legal Summit 2020, Mumbai)
  • Speaker “Arbitration in East Africa” (NCIA and Kenyan branch of CIARB, Dubai, November 2019)
  • Co-author, “Springboard injunctions to take off in the DIFC courts?” (In House Lawyer, Autumn 2019)
  • Author, “Profitable partnerships - how to avoid disputes in overseas retail joint ventures” (Lexology, May 2016)

"Paul Hughes is a fantastic lawyer possessing extensive subject matter expertise and a strong commercial acumen. His wealth of experience enables him to navigate complex legal matters with exceptional proficiency."

-- Chambers & Partners