With more than 20 years’ experience, Michael has advised on complex, high-value commercial litigation, trade credit and political risk insurance, re/insurance coverage disputes, professional liability claims and subrogated recoveries across the Middle East and internationally. He is known for his commercial, strategic and solutions-focused approach to resolving high-stakes disputes. Michael has acted for global reinsurers, local insurers, financial institutions and major corporates before the UAE courts, the DIFC and ADGM Courts, and in arbitrations under DIAC, LCIA and ICC rules. His recent work includes acting for Dubai Insurance Company in DIFC Court proceedings brought by Westford and Commonwealth Trade Bank seeking to recover USD 10m and USD 4m respectively; representing an insurer in DIAC arbitration concerning a disputed USD 20m non-payment claim under a Murabaha Facility Agreement; and advising an investment bank in declaratory relief proceedings relating to the enforceability of AED 1 billion in securities in the NMC administration. He has also recently recovered over USD 60m for political risk insurers against Middle Eastern entities.

Michael began his career in DAC Beachcroft’s Leeds office in 2006, gaining deep experience in professional liability litigation. Over the course of his career, he has developed a leading disputes practice focused on trade credit, political risk and political violence matters, and is recognised for his ability to navigate complex, multi-jurisdictional claims with clarity and precision.

Featured experience:

• Acting for re/insurers in DIFC Court and ICC arbitration proceedings arising from an USD 80m trade‑credit fraud.
• Advising re/insurers in DIFC proceedings concerning a USD 5m commodity‑trading coverage dispute.
• Representing insurers in UAE court proceedings brought by a Sharjah‑based trading company seeking to enforce a USD 5m trade‑credit claim.
• Acting for excess‑layer private‑market trade‑credit insurers in a USD 7m claim by a multinational policyholder.
• Acting for Dubai Insurance Company in DIFC Court litigation brought by Westford DMCC and Westford UK seeking to recover USD 10m.
• Acting for Dubai Insurance Company in DIFC Court litigation commenced by Commonwealth Trade Bank seeking to recover USD 4m.
• Acting for a Dubai‑based insurer in DIAC arbitration proceedings concerning a disputed USD 20m non‑payment claim under a Murabaha Facility Agreement.
• Acting for an Abu Dhabi investment bank in declaratory relief proceedings brought by the administrators of NMC regarding the enforceability of securities worth AED 1 billion.
• Acting for a commodity trader in LCIA arbitration proceedings commenced by a Zambian oil trading company seeking to recover USD 2.5m.
• Acting for third‑party health administrators in USD 6m ad hoc arbitration proceedings against reinsurers.
• Acting for OQ Trading in DIFC Court proceedings against the Central Bank of Sudan seeking to recover USD 30m under letters of credit.
• Acting for London‑based reinsurers in foreign judgment enforcement proceedings in India against defaulting, absconding debtors.
• Acting in arbitration award enforcement proceedings in the UAE for a global agri‑trader.
• Modernising trade‑credit and political risk policies for GCC development banks and ECAs.
• Strengthening policy wordings for private‑market credit insurers to eliminate documentation risk.
• Successfully defending a USD 20m professional negligence claim in the DIFC against a top‑tier law firm.
• Pursuing a €6.5m subrogated recovery in ICC arbitration on behalf of PAR insurers.