We have introduced changes to our Court Committees in 2019. We will maintain three main committees, which we rely on for feedback and consultation in terms of proposed improvements within the Courts (from a procedures and rules perspective) to assist in providing an efficient, accessible, transparent and professional service to all users.
The Court Users’ Committee is an independent liaison body between the DIFC Courts and Court users, with the brief of supporting cost effective and professional service provision.
Amna Al Owais Chief Registrar
Ayesha Bin Kalban Registrar
Jacques Visser General Counsel
Muna Dandan General Counsel
Dr. Mahmoud Hussain Founding Partner
Ahmed Juma AlRaeesi Founder and Director General
Mr Mohamed ElGhatit Partner
Nicholas Braganza Partner
Seema Bono Partner
Shane Jury Partner
DK Singh Managing Partner
Ludmila Yamalova Managing Partner
Sarah Malik CEO and International Disputes Counsel
Colin Seow Arbitrator | Advocate | Mediator
Tom Montagu-Smith KC Barrister
Philip Punwar Barrister
The Rules Committee meets quarterly to discuss changes and improvements to the Rules of the DIFC Courts. It comprises a wide range of legal practitioners who engage with the DIFC Courts and have significant practical experience of the Rules.
H.E. Justice Ali Al Madhani Senior Judge of Court of Appeal and Head of International Relations of Judicial Affairs
Ayesha Bin Kalban Registrar
Adrian Chadwick Partner
Rita Jaballah Partner
Philip Punwar Barrister
Alessandro Tricoli Partner
Sheila Shadmand Partner
Deirdre Walker Partner
Rebecca Copley, Partner & Head of Litigation
David Russell QC Barrister
Damian Crosse Partner
Sara Sheffield Partner
Nick Braganza Partner
James Abbott Partner
Shane Jury Partner
Graham Lovett Partner
Formerly the General Counsel Forum, the In-House Counsel Committee was launched in 2019 and continued with the mandate of dialogue and liaison between the DIFC Courts and senior in-house counsel, with the inaugural refreshed committee held in December 2019. Each event brings together participants to share experience, examine trends and discuss global dispute resolution best practices.
Amna Al Owais Chief Registrar
Muna Dandan General Counsel
Robert Lewsley Senior Group Counsel
Malek Al Khashashneh Senior Legal Director
Dr Abobakr Dafalla Regional Legal Counsel
Ziad Issa General Counsel
Gabriel Falda Assistant General Counsel
Ayman El Naagar General Counsel
Dominic Varley Executive Director - Legal
Heba Hamdy Regional Counsel
Jenny Grainger Group Legal, C&IB
Sahia Ahmad CEO, Regulatory & Governance
Majd Nemeh Head of Legal, Middle East
The Pro Bono Committee is comprised of seven members and includes: a. The Pro Bono Programme Leader; and b. Six lawyers who are registered with the DIFC Courts’ Register of Legal Practitioners.
Hayley Norton Pro Bono Programme Leader
Adam Bradshaw Legal Director
Peter Smith Legal Director
Rebecca Kelly Partner
Zara Merali Counsel
Dr. Maryam-Krystyna Nechaieva Legal Counsel
Janine Mallis Senior Associate
