Advocate, International Dispute Resolution – common law background (UK, AUS, NZ)

The Role
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Department: International Dispute Resolution Group (IDR) Type of Role: Permanent, Full-Time About the Firm Leading law firm happens to be one of the UAE’s oldest full-service law firms, with a legacy spanning over three decades. The firm has grown in tandem with the UAE’s development and is widely recognized for its leadership in high-stakes disputes. It has deep regional expertise, commitment to client service, and multilingual capabilities (in both civil law and common law courts) have cemented its status as a UAE legal leader with global reach. About the IDR Group The International Dispute Resolution (IDR) team at the firm is at the forefront of complex cross-border disputes. The IDR team handles a broad scope of matters, including high-value international arbitrations under major institutional rules (ICC, UNCITRAL, DIAC, arbitrateAD) and heavyweight litigation in the UAE’s common law courts (DIFC and ADGM). Its members undertake their own advocacy before international courts and tribunals in the UAE and abroad. The Role They are recruiting a common law?trained advocate (Barrister or Specialist Advocate/ Solicitor?Advocate) to take a leading role in offshore litigation before the DIFC and ADGM Courts, as well as arbitral proceedings seated in the region. The successful candidate will have a strong pedigree in drafting submissions and pleadings—including skeleton arguments, statements of case, and applications. Courtroom experience is an advantage, but superior drafting ability is essential. Core Responsibilities • Advocacy: Draft and review pleadings, memorials, applications, and other substantive submissions for international arbitrations and offshore court proceedings. Assist senior lawyers in developing case strategy and managing complex files from inception through final award/judgment. • Legal Research: Legal Research: Conduct rigorous research on common law court procedure, with proven familiarity with the Rules of the DIFC (RDC) or ADGM Courts, or equivalents in the candidate’s home jurisdiction. Prepare detailed memoranda on procedural law, case management, and cross-border enforcement issues, and apply these insights to draft persuasive written submissions and procedural applications. • Advisory: Assist in enforcement of arbitral awards and foreign judgments within and outside the DIFC/ADGM. Advise clients on litigation risk, dispute avoidance, and alternative dispute resolution (mediation/negotiation) where appropriate, reflecting a proactive problem-solving approach.

Requirements

• Professional Qualifications: Admitted to practice law in either England & Wales, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore or Ireland jurisdiction, with higher rights of audience (as a barrister or solicitor-advocate, or equivalent). Eligibility for registration as a legal practitioner before the DIFC and/or ADGM Courts is essential; existing registration is an advantage. • Experience: 2–5 years’ post-call (or post-qualification) experience gained in a leading set of barristers’ chambers, a specialist in-house advocacy team, or a trial litigation team within a premier law firm. Candidates must demonstrate a strong record of drafting pleadings, skeleton arguments, applications, and written submissions for commercial disputes. Prior involvement in contested hearings or trial preparation is advantageous but secondary to a proven pedigree in persuasive written advocacy. • Education: Strong academic foundation in law with an excellent first degree. Advanced education in international arbitration or comparative dispute resolution (such as an LL.M. or equivalent postgraduate study) will be considered an advantage. • Personal Qualities: High level of professionalism, integrity, and work ethic. A team player with strong interpersonal skills, able to collaborate in a multicultural environment. Proven ability to thrive under pressure, manage multiple deadlines, and adapt to the demands of high-value, fast-paced disputes.

About the company
Executive search involves working with a third party, such as JEX Personnel. Executive search is relationship driven. JEX Personnel will work closely with you to understand the requirements of the role. It is a research-led approach, meaning a search firm will be paid a retainer fee upfront to carry out analyse the marketplace and benchmark for skills/roles and salaries. A search firm will tend to have extensive knowledge of and access to board directors and senior executives across industries and functions, allowing them to build a large pool of top executive talent