Arbitration specialist Three Crowns is launching an office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) as part of its continued global expansion.
The new office will be led by DIFC managing partner Manish Aggarwal, who has been with the firm since its launch in 2014. Three Crowns said the new office will formalise its longstanding work with clients in the region, providing specialist counsel for high-value, complex and multi-jurisdictional disputes.
The Dubai office adds to Three Crowns’ global footprint spanning London, Paris, Washington DC, Singapore and Madrid. It specialises in commercial, construction and investor-state arbitration, public international law disputes and arbitration-related litigation.
Aggarwal said: “Opening in the DIFC is a natural next step for our firm. Our clients’ disputes are increasingly global in scale and complexity, and the region’s leading role in both inward and outward investment makes it an essential hub for high-value arbitration and enforcement work.
“We look forward to deepening our support for clients in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa, while strengthening our integration across the firm’s global platform.”
Aggarwal will be supported by partners Reza Mohtashami KC and Simon Elliot, who will “maintain an effective presence in Dubai”. Mohtashami brings significant regional experience, having previously practised in Dubai for almost six years as a partner at Freshfields. He joined Three Crowns in 2018.
Elliot, who joined Three Crowns as an associate in 2014 from legacy Shearman & Sterling, adds expertise in construction and infrastructure disputes. He was made partner in 2019.
The firm added that the Dubai office will also be supported by several other lawyers with experience in regional and international matters, relevant Arabic language capabilities and relationships with leading regional firms.
Liz Snodgrass, Three Crowns’ executive partner, said: “Establishing a dedicated office in the DIFC reinforces our commitment to clients whose disputes span multiple jurisdictions and arbitral systems. With this office, clients will benefit from immediate access to a world-class team, both in Dubai and across our international network.
“The region’s portfolio of complex, large-scale projects makes our strategic focus on sophisticated arbitration work particularly relevant.”
Other firms expanding their presence in the region recently include Mischcon de Reya, which in November launched in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. UK firm Forsters also opened an office in Abu Dhabi – its first base outside of London – in December.
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