Worldwide Freezing Orders issued by the ADGM Courts are among the most powerful interim remedies available to claimants facing asset flight risks. However, their true effectiveness often depends not on the order itself, but on how successfully it can be recognised, mirrored, or enforced beyond the geographical confines of the ADGM. Worldwide Freezing Orders (“WFOs”) issued...
The ADGM Courts offer a robust and arbitration-friendly framework for granting Worldwide Freezing Orders to protect assets at every stage of the arbitral process. Whether sought before an award is rendered or after enforcement becomes imminent, these orders can be a decisive tool to prevent frustration of arbitral justice. As international arbitration continues to dominate the resolution of...
An essential guide to the damages risk, security requirements, and strategic trade-offs that accompany freezing orders in the ADGM. Worldwide Freezing Orders (“WFOs”) are among the most intrusive interim remedies available under the ADGM Courts’ jurisdiction. Precisely because of their severity, the grant of a freezing order is almost invariably conditioned upon the applicant giving a cross-undertaking in damages. In assessing...
A step-by-step guide to preparing and presenting a freezing injunction1 application in the ADGM Courts, including procedural requirements, evidence, timelines, and urgent applications. Worldwide Freezing Orders (WFOs) issued by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts have become an increasingly important tool for claimants seeking to preserve assets at risk of dissipation in complex commercial and arbitration-related disputes. Unlike final...
Introduction: Why Share Classes Matter in the ADGM The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is one of the UAE’s most sophisticated corporate jurisdictions. Established under Abu Dhabi Law No. 4 of 2013, ADGM is distinctive in that it directly applies English common law, rather than a civil law code. This foundational choice has a significant...
A detailed examination of how ADGM Courts evaluate the “real risk of dissipation” test, the types of evidence that carry weight at the interim stage, and the common pitfalls applicants must avoid when seeking Worldwide Freezing Orders. In applications for Worldwide Freezing Orders (“WFOs”) before the ADGM Courts, the requirement to demonstrate a real risk of asset...
Explore how the ADGM Courts’ Fast Track Procedure enables efficient, fair, and expedited resolution of commercial disputes—often within six months—under Part 40 of the Court Procedure Rules. Delay is one of the most common concerns raised by parties considering litigation. Even where the legal position is strong, prolonged proceedings can dilute commercial value, increase costs,...
A comprehensive overview of worldwide freezing orders in ADGM, covering their legal basis, scope, enforcement, and strategic use in cross-border disputes. Worldwide freezing orders (WFOs) represent one of the most potent interim remedies available to claimants in cross-border disputes. They enable parties to prevent respondents from dissipating assets located anywhere on the globe, creating an essential preservation...
The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Courts recently launched a dedicated Real Property Division, introducing a streamlined mechanism for handling Short-Term Residential Lease Claims (STRLC). This move could reshape how landlords, tenants, and property managers resolve rental disputes on Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands. Why This Matters The new ADGM Real Estate Division offers...
What Happens When Equity and Registration Collide? In a recent joint judgment (Judgment) of the ADGM Court of First Instance, delivered by Justice Paul Heath KC in July 2025, the Court addressed this question directly in a dispute over the ownership of several residential units on Al Reem Island. Though the facts arose from transactions long...
