Enforcement of East Asian Judgments & Arbitral Awards in England and Wales

Introduction Over the last few years, an ever-increasing number of individuals from East Asia, particularly China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, have begun to buy and hold assets in England and Wales. A recent study showed that Hong Kongers, Singaporeans and Chinese individuals accounted for approximately 27% of all internationally owned property in England and Wales. […]

02 Jul 2026•By Waleed Tahirkheli

european commission 21 russian sanctions

Sanctions & Export Control

Will the UK follow the EU’s 21st Russia sanctions package?

Introduction On 9th June 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the EU’s 21st Russia sanctions package, describing the measures as focused on ‘energy, financial services and crypto, trade, and this time, for the very first time, fisheries.’ This forms part of our wider guide to UK Russia sanctions: what businesses need to […]

30 Jun 2026•By Waleed Tahirkheli

Sanctions & Export Control

UK Russia Crypto Sanctions

Summary On 26th May 2026, the FCDO designated 18 entities and individuals under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 targeting the A7 network, which the UK government said had moved more than $90 billion into Russia’s economy in the preceding year. Regulation 17A now applies to a crypto-asset exchange for the first time, so […]

29 Jun 2026•By Waleed Tahirkheli

Sanctions & Export Control

What OFSI’s Apple Fine Reveals About UK Sanctions Enforcement in 2026

Introduction On 30th March 2026, OFSI published its penalty notice in full, making the Apple International case the most detailed account OFSI has produced of how its enforcement framework operates end to end. The underlying breach was straightforward: Apple International instructed its UK bank account to pay Okko LLC, a Russian streaming platform, on two […]

23 Jun 2026•By Waleed Tahirkheli

Arbitration

Recognition of Foreign Arbitral Awards in the AIFC Court – Naftogaz v. Gazprom

Introduction The judgment of Justice Andrew Spink KC in National Joint Stock Company “Naftogaz of Ukraine” JSC v. Gazprom PJSC is a significant contribution to the emerging jurisprudence of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Court on the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. The arbitration claim was filed by Naftogaz against Gazprom under […]

03 Jun 2026•By Waleed Tahirkheli

Sanctions & Export Control

Can China Force Your Business to Ignore Western Sanctions?

China can now lawfully order your business to ignore Western sanctions. On 2 May 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) issued its first formal China blocking order, prohibiting recognition, enforcement, and compliance with US sanctions imposed on five Chinese petrochemical companies. What was once a theoretical tension between competing legal regimes is a live conflict […]

19 May 2026•By Rashid Gaissin

A DIAC award can be enforced through the DIFC Courts

Arbitration

Can You Enforce a DIAC Award Through the DIFC Courts?

You can enforce a DIAC arbitral award through the DIFC Courts, and for many creditors this is an increasingly attractive route. An award that cannot be realised against assets has little commercial value. The DIFC Courts have positioned themselves as a preferred forum for international enforcement: proceedings are conducted in English, procedures are familiar to […]

06 May 2026•By Rashid Gaissin

Sanctions & Export Control

Do the New UK Sanctions End-Use Controls Apply to Your Business?

The Sanctions End-Use Controls were introduced by the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026, which come into force on 13 May 2026. They add Regulation 55A to eleven sanctions regimes: Belarus, North Korea, Iran (including the nuclear regime), Libya, Myanmar, Russia, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. The architecture is cross-regime deliberate, though the government’s […]

05 May 2026•By Waleed Tahirkheli

Dispute Resolution

How to bring a claim in the DIFC Courts

DIFC Jurisdiction The first question is always jurisdiction. It most commonly arises through an express contractual clause, where the parties have agreed to submit disputes to the DIFC Courts. Such clauses are frequently used in international commercial agreements where parties seek a neutral common law forum. Alternatively, jurisdiction may be established where there is a […]

24 Apr 2026•By Rashid Gaissin

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