James Abbott

• An Abu Dhabi employer in the defence of claims for extension of time and prolongation costs totalling USD 360m concerning a mixed use development in Kazakhstan (ADCCAC Arbitration).  
• Appointed as Chairman of a Tribunal in an ICC Arbitration concerning an infrastructure development In Qatar.
• Lead counsel for a property developer in respect of claims totalling USD 4.5bn in an investment treaty arbitration (ICSID Arbitration, Paris).
• A global private wealth bank in the defence of claims by a liquidator for alleged fraud, deceit and breach of director's duties.
• An accounting firm on the largest (and first) professional negligence claim filed in the DIFC Courts. The claim is in relation to audits of a foreign bank and involves allegations of a failure to detect alleged money laundering and terrorism financing, and includes claims for breach of duty, deceit, negligence, and breaches of the DIFC Regulatory Law.
• A global entertainment corporation on its intended investment in the UAE in a first of its kind large entertainment/leisure complex and the associated regulatory and political risks.
• A major international bank in its response to a Part 8 claim for pre-action disclosure in the DIFC Courts brought by two customers of the bank related to allegations of mis-selling financial products.
• Lead counsel for an employer in the defence of USD 150m claims advanced by a contractor in respect of a termination of a luxury residential development in Eritrea (ICC Arbitration, Paris).
• An employer in the defence of claims totalling USD 250m advanced by four contractors following termination of letters of intent for the proposed construction of an oil refinery in Kuwait (ICC Arbitration).
• A contractor in relation to a potential dispute concerning works carried out at the West Qurna oilfield in Iraq (LCIA Arbitration, London).  
• Lead counsel for an employer in the defence of claims totalling USD 200m concerning alleged delays to the construction of a car park (dispute Adjudication Board, Doha).
• A global beverage company, on a high-profile regulatory investigation by two separate Indian regulatory authorities in relation to alleged breaches of the Delhi Excise liquor policy by the company and its employees.
• A regional bank in relation to an internal investigation covering many thousands of customer transactions to assess whether there are any money laundering concerns or reporting obligations.
• A Middle East corporate in relation to allegations of improper payments made by an Agent of a Middle Eastern Corporate.
• A large international investment bank in connection with two worldwide cross-border regulatory investigations, including OFAC, UK/EU sanctions and anti-money laundering compliance issues.

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