Barrister

Company OverviewOur client is a globally regulated financial services group and one of the largest providers of online trading and financial derivatives solutions worldwide. Headquartered in Dubai and operating across multiple international jurisdictions, the organization serves clients in over 100 countries.With more than 15 regulatory licenses globally, the group operates under a strong governance and compliance framework, offering services across Forex, CFDs, commodities, indices, equities, and digital assets. The firm is recognized for its strong capital position, institutional-grade liquidity, advanced trading infrastructure, and commitment to regulatory excellence.Role OverviewWe are seeking a highly experienced Barrister qualified in England & Wales to join the Group's legal function in Dubai.The role requires a senior legal professional with substantial experience in complex commercial litigation, international arbitration, regulatory investigations and dispute resolution, alongside the ability to provide strategic legal advice on corporate, commercial and regulatory matters.The successful candidate will be expected to take ownership of significant contentious matters, assess legal exposure, develop litigation strategies, oversee external counsel and advise senior leadership on complex legal and business decisions.This is a broad senior legal position requiring both strong contentious legal expertise and sound commercial judgement, with the ability to operate effectively within a multinational, regulated financial services environment.Key ResponsibilitiesLitigation, Arbitration & Dispute ResolutionLead and manage complex commercial litigation, arbitration, cross-border disputes and contentious legal matters across multiple jurisdictions.Develop and execute litigation strategies, including case assessment, legal arguments, evidence management, settlement negotiations and enforcement proceedings.Advise on significant contractual, shareholder, corporate, financial and commercial disputes, including potential claims and pre-litigation matters.Handle disputes involving allegations of fraud, misconduct, breach of contract, financial wrongdoing and other matters presenting significant legal or reputational exposure.Oversee external legal counsel, Barristers and international law firms, ensuring effective representation, case management and cost control.Assess the merits, risks and commercial implications of litigation and arbitration, providing clear recommendations to senior management.Support the preparation and review of pleadings, witness statements, legal opinions, submissions and other contentious legal documentation.Manage settlement discussions, alternative dispute resolution processes and the enforcement or defence of judgments and arbitral awards.Regulatory Investigations & Legal RiskAdvise on regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, inquiries and other contentious regulatory matters across relevant jurisdictions.Provide legal guidance on allegations involving financial crime, fraud, misconduct, regulatory breaches and potential civil or criminal liability.Work closely with Compliance, Risk and other internal functions to assess regulatory exposure and develop appropriate legal responses.Coordinate legal responses to regulatory authorities, external investigations and formal proceedings.Identify emerging legal risks and recommend measures to protect the Group's commercial, financial and reputational interests.Corporate & Commercial Legal AdvisoryProvide senior legal advice on corporate, commercial, contractual and operational matters affecting the Group's international businesses.Draft, review and negotiate complex commercial agreements, including client agreements, banking and payment arrangements, liquidity provider agreements, technology contracts, vendor agreements and strategic partnerships.Advise on corporate governance, contractual obligations, legal structures, internal policies and commercial risk.Support legal matters relating to licensing, regulatory requirements, business expansion and cross-border operations.Provide practical legal guidance to senior management on business decisions, contractual disputes and matters involving significant legal exposure.Work closely with Finance, Operations, Product, Technology, Compliance and Risk to ensure legal considerations are incorporated into business activities.Senior Stakeholder Advisory & Legal LeadershipAct as a senior legal adviser to executive management on complex, sensitive and high-value legal matters.Present clear legal assessments, litigation strategies and recommendations to senior stakeholders.Manage relationships with external law firms, specialist counsel, regulatory advisers and other legal service providers.Support the development and improvement of internal legal processes, dispute management procedures and legal risk controls.Exercise independent legal judgement while balancing legal obligations, commercial objectives and the Group's risk appetite.RequirementsProfessional QualificationsBarrister called to the Bar of England & Wales.Strong academic background in law, with relevant professional legal qualifications.Substantial post-qualification experience in complex commercial litigation, international arbitration and dispute resolution.Experience gained within a leading international law firm, reputable Barristers' chambers, major financial institution or multinational corporate environment.Litigation & Dispute Resolution ExperienceDemonstrated experience handling complex, high-value commercial litigation and international disputes.Strong knowledge of litigation procedures, advocacy, evidence, legal strategy, arbitration and enforcement proceedings.Experience dealing with contentious regulatory matters, investigations, allegations of fraud or financial misconduct.Proven ability to assess litigation risks, develop legal strategies and manage external counsel across multiple jurisdictions.Experience advising on cross-border disputes and matters involving different legal systems.Corporate, Commercial & Regulatory ExpertiseStrong understanding of corporate and commercial law, contractual obligations and legal risk management.Ability to advise on complex commercial agreements, corporate matters and regulatory issues beyond litigation.Experience providing practical legal advice to senior executives and business stakeholders.Exposure to financial services, banking, brokerage, FX/CFDs, payments, FinTech or digital assets would be highly advantageous, but is not mandatory.Familiarity with UAE, DIFC, ADGM or other international legal and regulatory frameworks would be an advantage.Professional CompetenciesExcellent legal analysis, drafting, negotiation and advocacy skills.Strong commercial judgement and the ability to evaluate legal matters from both legal and business perspectives.Confidence in advising senior executives on sensitive, complex and potentially high-risk matters.Ability to independently manage multiple significant legal matters and coordinate international legal advisers.Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.High professional integrity, discretion and sound judgement.