Expertise

Emma is a Managing Associate in the commercial disputes team in the Dubai office.

Emma has a broad skill set in general commercial litigation and arbitration, having acted on disputes across a range of industries, including the financial and professional services sectors, logistics, construction and oil and gas industries.

Since moving to the UAE in 2018, Emma has worked on high profile disputes across the Middle East, in particular in the UAE (including its free zones, the DIFC and the ADGM), Oman, Iraq, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Emma has experience working on arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, DIAC, DIFC-LCIA (now abolished) and UNCITRAL rules.

Emma qualified as a solicitor in Australia in November 2015. Prior to joining Addleshaw Goddard, Emma worked in the Perth and Dubai offices of a leading international firm.

Experience

Notable experience includes:

  • Defending a government entity in connection with a US $17 million ICC arbitration for wrongful termination of a management agreement.   
  • Acting for an investment entity on a US $74 million funds dispute relating to the wrongful issuance of warrant shares in favour of the fund manager, including preparing applications for urgent injunctive relief in the BVI and Cayman Courts and acting on the commencement of an expedited LCIA arbitration.
  • Advising a regional entity on a US $ 4.3 billion fraud claim threatened in the ADGM Courts pursuant to the ADGM Insolvency Regulations.  
  • Acting for a multinational corporation in connection with a major data breach, including preparing for injunctive relief proceedings in the DIFC Courts against 'persons unknown'.  
  • Acting for a major logistics company in a JV dispute in a derivative action claim against its JV partner under the LCIA rules, including applying for relief in the BVI Courts. 
  • Acting for a technology company in a franchise dispute with its franchisee across multiple jurisdictions in the Middle East. Including advising on interim relief options under the LCIA rules and applying for attachment orders in the relevant onshore Courts. 
  • Acting for an international group in a dispute with a seller of a significant business under a SPA, including representing the client in negotiations with the seller.
  • Acting for the Board of Control for Cricket in India in an ad-hoc arbitration commenced by the Pakistani Cricket Board in relation to an alleged breach of contract.
  • Seconded to Uber and advised Uber and Uber Eats on various negotiations and projects being rolled out in the MENA region.
  • Acting for a major developer in a joint venture dispute in a DIAC arbitration in relation to a landmark development. 
  • Acting for a developer in an ICC arbitration commenced by the contractor, seeking time and cost, in relation to a significant UAE project.
  • Acting for an international bank to recover a significant debt in Saudi Arabia under the then new Bankruptcy Law, in one of the first restructuring proceedings commenced under the law. 
  • Acting for an international logistics company in relation to allegations of misconduct in its Middle East branches by the national regulator. Acted for the company in its negotiations with the regulator and was instructed by the Board to conduct an internal investigation into the allegations.
  • Acting for a Malaysian engineering and construction company in a DIFC seated DIFC-LCIA arbitration against its contractor.
  • Acting for an operator in joint venture dispute in relation to an oil and gas project in Iraq in an arbitration under ICC rules.
  • Acting for an employer in a JV dispute under the LCIA rules in relation to a project in Oman. 
  • Acting for a principal in an UNCITRAL arbitration against its contractor in relation to a dredging services contract. 
  • Acting for Avwest in a litigation commenced in the Supreme Court of Western Australia, suing a top-tier Australian law firm for professional negligence.
Education
  • Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (with distinction) from the University of Western Australia  
Professional Memberships
  • Law Society of Western Australia 
  • Registered Practitioner in the DIFC Courts