Members of 3VB Top Ranked in The Legal 500 EMEA 2022
The Legal 500 have released the 2022 edition of their Europe, Middle East and Africa guide, published on 12 April 2022.
Of the set, the guide says,
“3 Verulam Buildings has particular expertise in banking and finance disputes and international arbitration in the Middle East. Andrew Onslow QC represented a number of the defendants in the London leg of the high-profile SKAT v Solo Capital Partners dispute concerning “cum-ex trading” alleged to be a fraud by the Danish tax authorities; the matter also featured large-scale proceedings in the DIFC. In Abu Dhabi, Ewan Mcquater QC is leading the counsel team, which includes David Quest QC among others, for the lenders in NMC Healthcare Ltd v Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC, the largest insolvency in the region. Hodge Malek QC is another standout name and acted for an Iranian petrochemical company in a $70 million banking fraud claim. The set welcomes the arrival of Tom Montagu-Smith QC, who joined in 2021 from XXIV Old Buildings.”
The following 16 members have been individually selected for recommendation:
Middle East: The English Bar (Commercial):
Leading Silks
Ewan McQuater QC – ‘Ewan is highly intelligent and very experienced. He is able to read the court very well, and adapts his style accordingly. He is very calm and user friendly.’
Ali Malek QC – ‘Highly engaged, responsive, commercial and precise – advice is commercial, practical and effective.’
Hodge Malek QC – ‘Hodge is a superstar of the Bar and one of the pre-eminent heavyweight silks at the Bar. He is an intellectual powerhouse and also two steps ahead.’
Andrew Onslow QC – ‘Andrew is robust, decisive and an unflappable advocate.’
David Quest QC – ‘He provides first-class insolvency support, particularly in the Abu Dhabi Global Market courts.’
Nicholas Craig QC – ‘He is a very strong advocate who revels in fact-heavy matters.’
Tom Montagu-Smith QC – ‘Tom is accessible, responsive and user-friendly. His written and oral advocacy is always excellent and his succinct style is appreciated by Judges.’
Saima Hanif QC – ‘She is immensely hardworking, very bright, produces excellent and elegantly argued documents, and is a terrific team player. She’s is a top quality commercial barrister, and will be an extremely successful QC – deservedly so.’
Farhaz Khan QC – ‘Farhaz is an exceptional strategic thinker and very balanced and reasonable in explaining his position to clients.’
Leading Juniors
Tariq Baloch is ranked in Tier 1.
Yash Bheeroo – ‘Very hardworking and diligent, who demonstrates real intellect and clarity of thought. A junior of choice for the most complex matters.’
James Potts – ‘James is an incredible lawyer and is brilliant in analysing complex legal issues in financial cases. He has done a lot of Middle Eastern work, particularly Oman and Iran-related. Leaders know they can totally rely on him.’
Mark Wassouf – ‘Mark offers clear-sighted legal analysis, which is focused on the client’s commercial objectives. He drafts with elegance and economy.’
Matthew Watson – ‘Super bright; efficient and excellent to work with. The best junior barrister for the regional market.’
Georges Chalfoun is ranked in Tier 1.
In Construction in the Middle East, Tom Montagu-Smith QC is recognised as a Leading Silk and Jane Davies Evans is again recognised as a Leading Junior – ‘Jane is a wonderful person, brilliant barrister, smart, honest, highly professional and has a great sense of humour. She is very hard-working and knowledgable on all aspects of construction.’
