Force Majeure in the Middle East: Legal Risks and Practical Realities

Force Majeure under English Law Force majeure clauses excuse contractual performance when events beyond a party’s control prevent fulfilment of obligations. Under English law, unlike many civil law systems, force majeure has no independent legal existence, it operates solely through express contractual terms. Courts interpret such clauses in a strict and narrow manner, requiring the […]

09 Apr 2026•By Rashid Gaissin

Arbitration

Kazakhstan Is Becoming The Go-To Arbitration Destination

Kazakhstan is a serious player in international arbitration. The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has built an independent court and arbitration centre that has genuinely attracted international business from across Central Asia, the Middle East, and China. I have been advising clients on commercial disputes in Kazakhstan and the surrounding regions for many years, and […]

08 Apr 2026•By Rashid Gaissin

Sanctions & Export Control

What UK Businesses Need to Know About Secondary Sanctions on China

The 2026 sanctions on China – update The UK’s approach to China sanctions has shifted significantly over the past two years. Where the UK once confined its China-related sanctions to a handful of entities linked to human rights abuses or cyber threats, it now regularly designates Chinese companies under the Russia sanctions regime for facilitating […]

24 Mar 2026•By Waleed Tahirkheli

Arbitration

Upcoming Event – How Arbitration Friendly is Kazakhstan?

Rashid Gaissin will be co-moderating the “How Arbitration Friendly is Kazakhstan?” event, hosted by Latham & Watkins in association with the CIArb London Branch and the British-Kazakh Law Association. This event will bring together leading practitioners to discuss the evolving arbitration landscape in Kazakhstan and its attractiveness as a dispute resolution hub. It promises to […]

19 Mar 2026

Dispute Resolution

Drafting and Enforcement Jurisdiction Clauses in International Contracts

A jurisdiction clause is a contractual provision that specifies which court has authority to resolve disputes between the parties. In cross-border commerce, where multiple legal systems may claim a connection to a transaction, these clauses provide the certainty that commercial parties need. Without one, a party may find itself defending proceedings in an unexpected or […]

18 Mar 2026•By Rashid Gaissin

Published Judgments

Infinni Innovations SA v OFMS Ltd & Ors [2026] EWHC 470 (Comm)

Eldwick Law acted for the Defendants in Infinni Innovations SA v OFMS Ltd & Ors [2026] EWHC 470 (Comm), in which Mr Justice Saini handed down judgment on 3 March 2026 following a three-day hearing in the Commercial Court. The dispute arises from the OnlyFans creator economy and the use of customer relationship management platforms […]

04 Mar 2026•By Waleed Tahirkheli

Blog

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) | Setup, Tax & Legal Framework

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is now considered one of the world’s top financial hubs, attracting multinational corporations, startups, family offices, and professional service firms from across the globe. The centre is home to major global banks, insurance firms, asset managers, fintech pioneers, law firms, and professional service providers. The DIFC now has over […]

10 Feb 2026•By Waleed Tahirkheli

deadlock, share valuation, breaches of shareholders’ agreements and director misconduct

Dispute Resolution

Deadlock, Valuation and Director Misconduct Disputes

1. Deadlock and stalemate disputes Deadlock happens when equal shareholders cannot agree on key decisions, paralysing business operations. Disputes can arise in relation to major decisions, such as whether to pursue expansion, hire key personnel, approve significant expenditure, or sell the business. Without a controlling shareholder, day-to-day operations grind to a halt as neither party […]

30 Jan 2026•By Waleed Tahirkheli

Sanctions & Export Control

When the Oil Sanctions Hit Home

How Sanctions Work in Three Moves The coordinated sanctions offensive operates across three dimensions, each carrying distinct legal implications. The first move is the direct designation of oil producers. When Lukoil was designated on 15 October 2025, any UK person or entity became prohibited from dealing with frozen Lukoil assets without specific authorisation from OFSI. […]

30 Jan 2026•By Rashid Gaissin

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