Rumpole of the Old Bailey is due to trade in the pleasures of Pomeroy’s for those of Zuma and Caramel, following the setting up of the Middle East’s first specialist barristers’ chambers at the DIFC.
The new chambers, operated by London’s Outer Temple Chambers (OTC), will bring together “multiple experts along with a body of legal knowledge, service offerings and knowledge transfer schemes for the benefit of the entire legal profession in the region”.
Chambers – a feature of the English common law legal system, also practised in the DIFC Courts – refer to premises shared by barristers, who are prohibited from forming partnerships and companies. Barristers are typically called on when companies or individuals require representation in court or on highly technical legal issues.
OTC has had a presence in the UAE since 2008, with a number of its barristers having practised English common law in the DIFC Court.
“Having Outer Temple Chambers opening in DIFC is a testament to the credibility of the centre’s regulatory and legal infrastructure,” said Essa Kazim, DIFC’s governor.
“To date, no chambers exist in the region with such a wealth of specialist expertise. This will help in driving the growth of the legal services sector as well as increase the attractiveness of DIFC as a place to both do, and resolve, business.”
OTC said that it is exploring training and development of barristers and legal specialists from the Emirati community who can practise international standard law in the UAE’s local court system, after training in the UK and in DIFC.
“There are enormous and exciting opportunities and of course some challenges involved in developing DIFC as a regional hub,” said Andrew Spink, QC (Queen’s Counsel), OTC’s head of chambers.
“We are looking forward to contributing to the success of this process, not just by providing sound legal expertise but also by helping to train the next generation of aspiring lawyers.”
jeverington@thenational.ae
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