Paul Hughes advises clients on matters involving cross-border shareholder and company disputes that have a nexus to the United Arab Emirates, splitting his practice between international arbitration and courts in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). 

With over eleven years of experience in the region, Mr. Hughes focuses on cross-border disputes by offering creative strategies designed to monetize or dilute high-stakes, complex, multijurisdictional claims. Specifically, he has extensive experience in the enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards, asset tracing, fraud investigations, banking litigation and other contentious shareholder disputes.

A leading practitioner in the DIFC, Mr. Hughes has handled high-profile, multi-billion-dollar disputes and enforcement actions in the financial center. He has been recognized by the Legal 500 as a "superb legal strategist who has a strong grasp of the legal and commercial drivers in any case" and is "relentless in pursuing the interests of his client in advancing their case," as well as "an exceptional litigator" who is "incredibly hard-working, knows how to lead and delegate where necessary and is measured, but aggressive where appropriate." Chambers and Partners called Mr. Hughes "absolutely excellent," offering "a good mix between practicality and legal knowledge" and is "an all-round lawyer."

Before joining Kobre & Kim, Mr. Hughes led the GCC Dispute Resolution team at Addleshaw Goddard’s Dubai office. Prior to that, he practiced at Clyde & Co LLP.

• Who’s Who Legal 2024 Global Guide Recognizes Kobre & Kim and 13 Lawyers
• Landmark UAE Ruling Strengthens Hand of Creditors
• Chambers Global 2024 Recognizes Kobre & Kim and Multiple Global Lawyers
• Paul Hughes Examines UAE Recovery Options for International Creditors in Law.com International
• Who's Who Legal 2023 Global Guide Recognizes Kobre & Kim and 13 Lawyers
• Paul Hughes to Chair Panel on Best Practices in Obtaining Information for Lawyers During RILPA Conference in Dubai
• Chambers Global 2023 Recognizes Kobre & Kim and Multiple Global Lawyers
• Paul Hughes and John Han Explore Middle East Insolvency Disputes Trends in Dubai Seminar
• Kobre & Kim and Lawyers Recognized in Multiple Chambers Global 2022 Categories
• Paul Hughes and Nada Oteifi Unpack Middle East Dispute Trends at Dubai Arbitration Week Seminar
• Kobre & Kim Enhances Capabilities in Dubai and the Middle East
• Enforcing a Foreign Judgment in the UAE: New Opportunities
• Enforcement in Dubai Just Got Easier
• Enforcing Claims Against Sovereign Debtors in the Middle East
• Precedent-Setting Win in Dubai Opens Doors for Global Creditors to Fight Fraudulent Conveyance in the Middle East
• Enforcing Minority Shareholder Rights in Asia: A Comparative Guide to Just and Equitable Winding Up
• New Pathways for International Creditors to Fight Fraudulent Conveyance in Dubai
• Middle Eastern Investors Have Options to Protect Their Investments in China
• Powerful Option for Creditors Enforcing Judgments from Common Law Courts in the United Arab Emirates
• How Israeli, Middle Eastern and African Individuals Should Respond to Criminal Allegations from Foreign Governments
• Defending Your Offshore Trusts from Onshore Attacks
• More Routes to Recovery for Global Creditors in the Middle East
• Don’t Overlook China in Difficult Chapter 11 Asset Recovery Efforts
• Cross-Border Strategies for Maximizing Returns Against Sovereign Debtors
• Cracking Delaware’s Notoriously Tough Trusts
• International Creditors Can Crack Delaware's Notoriously Tough Trusts
• Global Creditors Can Successfully Fight Fraudulent Conveyance in Dubai
• How International Creditors Can Crack Delaware's Notoriously Tough Trusts
• Don’t Overlook China in Difficult Chapter 11 Asset Recovery Efforts
• Lessons from LBRY: Standing Up to Regulatory Oversight
• Global Crisis Management For Targets of Large-Scale Crypto Fraud
• Enforcing Minority Shareholder Rights in Asia: A Comparative Guide to Derivative Actions
• Enforcing Minority Shareholder Rights in Asia: A Comparative Guide to Unfair Prejudice
• Maximizing Recovery Against a Sanctioned Sovereign
• Pathways for Global Bondholders to Effectively Oppose Unjust UK Restructuring Plans
• Cross-Border Strategies for Maximizing Returns Against Sovereign Debtors
• Bringing a Global Perspective to Challenge Offshore Awards Successfully
• Russian Litigants Can Still Access Critical Legal Tools in U.S. Courts
• Countering Bad-Faith Opponents' Efforts to Publicly Discredit High-Net-Worth Individuals
• Companies and Individuals in Greater China Can Protect Themselves from U.S. Sanctions Overreach