Commercial dispute resolution

Gateley Middle East advises clients on a wide spectrum of commercial disputes, supporting businesses across multiple industry sectors in the GCC. The team is part of a regional practice known for delivering strategic solutions with deep local and international expertise.

What we do

We represent clients in disputes concerning:

  • shareholder and joint venture disagreements;
  • agency, distribution, and franchise disputes;
  • contract enforcement and breach of contract issues;
  • insurance and financial services claims;
  • misrepresentation, fraud, or breach of duty.

Our team has a strong track record representing regional and international corporates before UAE onshore courts, DIFC Courts, ADGM Courts, and regional arbitration centres. Our lawyers work with domestic and international clients operating in the Middle East’s rapidly evolving market environment helping them to protect commercial interests, manage reputational impact and secure swift, commercially sound outcomes.

Our approach

We support clients with clear, commercially grounded advice, consistent with our commitment to accessibility, pragmatism and decisive recommendations. Our team helps minimise operational disruption while safeguarding long term business interests.

Our extensive experience includes:

  1. Hotel project (Qatar): Advising a state-backed project management entity on risks associated with entering into a joint venture agreement for a project in Greece valued at EUR1bn.
  2. International lenders: Advising two international lenders in relation to recovery of debts and enforcement of security in the UAE.
  3. Airports: Advising a specialist United Kingdom subcontractor on an international airport project in Oman in respect of multi-million-dollar claims and counterclaims. Successful in obtaining an international freezing order (injunction) before the English Courts restraining a call on an “on demand” bond. (Litigation and intra-contractual commercial advice)
  4. Major international contractor: Advising this entity in relation to its >1bn QAR claims arising in connection with a landmark cultural development project in Qatar.
  5. UAE-based developer: Advising the employer in respect of termination of the contractor and claims arising in connection with its award-winning luxury villa project in Dubai.

* Some of these credentials were completed by team members during their employment with other firms.