Richard Clarke is an English barrister focused on resolving international commercial disputes, typically involving cross-border claims, civil fraud and insolvency. He advises multinational corporations, investors and individuals on the monetization and defense of claims, financial instruments, judgments and arbitral awards. Mr. Clarke often assists clients facing atypical events with the potential to impact the future course their business, including in M&A, joint venture and shareholder disputes.
Mr. Clarke has acted in complex litigation in the High Court and Court of Appeal in London, DIFC Courts, ADGM Courts and Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). His arbitration portfolio includes awards rendered in accordance with major institutions and rules, including ICC, LCIA, DIAC, ICSID, HKIAC, UNCITRAL and LMAA.
He has been based in the Middle East for over eight years, and has been recognized by Chambers & Partners as "a star of the future," and the Legal 500 as having “made a major impact in the region.”
Admissions
- Barrister, England & Wales
- Part II, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts
- Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts
Education
- BPP Law School, BVC
- Warwick University, LLM
- Cardiff University, LLB
Accolades
- Chambers & Partners, Global Guide: Dispute Resolution – UAE (2024)
- Legal 500: Arbitration and International Litigation Rising Star (2020, 2021, 2022)
- Gray’s Inn: Lord Justice Holker Scholar (2009)
- Jef Klazen, Richard Clarke, and Jason Kang join International Enforcement of Judgements and Awards Forum
- Chambers Global 2024 Recognizes Kobre & Kim and Multiple Global Lawyers
- Kobre & Kim Case Concerning Spain’s Sovereign Immunity and Investment Treaty Arbitration Featured by The Lawyer Among Top 2024 Appeals
- Richard Clarke and Nada Oteifi on Unlocking Value in Claims, Judgments and Awards at Dubai Arbitration Week
- Kobre & Kim Successfully Defeats Spain’s Sovereign Immunity Challenge in UK High Court in Landmark International Enforcement Case
- Richard Clarke Recognized as “Rising Star” in The Legal 500’s United Arab Emirates Rankings
- Kobre & Kim Enhances Capabilities in Dubai and the Middle East
- Enforcement in Dubai Just Got Easier
- What a Landmark Ruling Against Spain Means for Investors in Disputes with Sovereigns
- Non-U.S. Creditors Can Crack Delaware’s Notoriously Tough Trusts
- Powerful Option for Creditors Enforcing Judgments from Common Law Courts in the United Arab Emirates
- Middle Eastern Investors Have Options to Protect Their Investments in China
- New Pathways for International Creditors to Fight Fraudulent Conveyance in Dubai
- Political Strategies in Monetizing Sovereign Arbitration Awards
- New York Court Opens Path for Global Bondholders to Bring Unilateral Claims Against Recalcitrant Bond Issuers
- Precedent-Setting Win in Dubai Opens Doors for Global Creditors to Fight Fraudulent Conveyance in the Middle East
- Enforcing Claims Against Sovereign Debtors in the Middle East
- Global Creditors Can Successfully Fight Fraudulent Conveyance in Dubai
- More Routes to Recovery for Global Creditors in the Middle East
- Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals Can Mitigate Two Hazards Lurking at Free Ports
- Non-Traditional Sovereign Debt Defaults Recovery Strategies for International Bondholders
- Kobre & Kim Successfully Enforces More Than US $40 Billion of Cross-Border Judgments and Awards
Credentials
Admissions
- Barrister, England & Wales
- Part II, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts
- Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts
Education
- BPP Law School, BVC
- Warwick University, LLM
- Cardiff University, LLB
Accolades
- Chambers & Partners, Global Guide: Dispute Resolution – UAE (2024)
- Legal 500: Arbitration and International Litigation Rising Star (2020, 2021, 2022)
- Gray’s Inn: Lord Justice Holker Scholar (2009)
News
- Jef Klazen, Richard Clarke, and Jason Kang join International Enforcement of Judgements and Awards Forum
- Chambers Global 2024 Recognizes Kobre & Kim and Multiple Global Lawyers
- Kobre & Kim Case Concerning Spain’s Sovereign Immunity and Investment Treaty Arbitration Featured by The Lawyer Among Top 2024 Appeals
- Richard Clarke and Nada Oteifi on Unlocking Value in Claims, Judgments and Awards at Dubai Arbitration Week
- Kobre & Kim Successfully Defeats Spain’s Sovereign Immunity Challenge in UK High Court in Landmark International Enforcement Case
- Richard Clarke Recognized as “Rising Star” in The Legal 500’s United Arab Emirates Rankings
- Kobre & Kim Enhances Capabilities in Dubai and the Middle East
- Enforcement in Dubai Just Got Easier
- What a Landmark Ruling Against Spain Means for Investors in Disputes with Sovereigns
- Non-U.S. Creditors Can Crack Delaware’s Notoriously Tough Trusts
- Powerful Option for Creditors Enforcing Judgments from Common Law Courts in the United Arab Emirates
- Middle Eastern Investors Have Options to Protect Their Investments in China
- New Pathways for International Creditors to Fight Fraudulent Conveyance in Dubai
- Political Strategies in Monetizing Sovereign Arbitration Awards
- New York Court Opens Path for Global Bondholders to Bring Unilateral Claims Against Recalcitrant Bond Issuers
- Precedent-Setting Win in Dubai Opens Doors for Global Creditors to Fight Fraudulent Conveyance in the Middle East
- Enforcing Claims Against Sovereign Debtors in the Middle East
- Global Creditors Can Successfully Fight Fraudulent Conveyance in Dubai
- More Routes to Recovery for Global Creditors in the Middle East
- Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals Can Mitigate Two Hazards Lurking at Free Ports
- Non-Traditional Sovereign Debt Defaults Recovery Strategies for International Bondholders
- Kobre & Kim Successfully Enforces More Than US $40 Billion of Cross-Border Judgments and Awards
"Richard Clarke is one of the best younger lawyers in the DIFC. He is impressive and does not get fazed."
– Chambers & Partners
“Richard Clarke shows great promise as a very able administrator of any major piece of litigation. He has good legal judgement.”
– Legal 500
“Richard Clarke is a star in the making and has made a major impact in the region.”
– Legal 500