Jonathan Brown is a has over 35 years’ experience, split between private practice and in-house. His focus is on shipping, international trade, logistics and transport. He is a graduate of Cambridge University and admitted as a qualified Solicitor in England & Wales.
He advises on contentious and non-contentious matters where he is typically instructed by international businesses in relation to complex commercial. He is known for his broad ranging experience advising various international commercial sectors. This includes trade financing institutions, shipping corporations insurance providers and commodities. His specialization also includes advising on joint ventures, shareholder and distribution agreement related matters. Jonathan is highly experienced in the representation of clients in international commercial arbitration and litigation as well as in alternative dispute resolution forums.
Jonathan is regularly featured in speaking engagements and publications discussing recent legal developments and their practical implications on various commercial sectors.
Jonathan specialised in shipping and insurance law in London for ten years. He came to the U.A.E in 1998 as Head of Contentious Business at a Magic Circle fir. He then joined CMA-CGM (the world’s third largest shipping and logistics group) as Director of English Law in Marseille, France. He returned to the Middle East and was partner and Head of Maritime, Transport & Trade at Hadef & Partners and then Charles Russell Speechlys.
Selected representative roles and matters:
- Instructed by a multinational technology manufacturer in regard to its UAE distribution and importation arrangement; specifically, the various complex supply chain and logistics matters from free zones into the UAE and transshipped within the MENA region.
- Represented a logistics service provider in relation to a dispute with the United Nations. The subject matter of the dispute was the provision of supply chain management to various UN Missions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Acted on behalf of a chemical manufacturer in connection with allegations of breaches of US and EU Iranian sanctions regimes. This dispute involved long-term supply contracts and complex shareholder agreements.
- Advised on UAE law and its interpretation of the international aviation conventions in relation to a class action with respect to a fatal airline crash.
- Instructed by regional airline in connection with various disputes arising in relation to jet engine leasing agreements. Represented clients in arbitration proceedings and negotiated a commercial settlement.
- Represented a major container shipping line in arbitration proceedings in a dispute with consumables supplier to US Department of Defense.
- Representing corporate re-structurer of UAE based oil trading group arising out documentary credit fraud.
- Representing Singapore-based commodity trader in negotiations of complex long-term supply agreement
- Acting for Bahraini dredging operation in contract administration and vessel registrations.
- Acting on finance re-structure of major UAE shipping group, including liaison with banks and all other legal aspects of deal structure.
- Negotiation and advice on all aspects of trade finance facilities for Singaporean-based metals traders.
- Representing a committee of local and international banks in recovery actions against the national bank of an Emirate following the breakdown of a share acquisition.
- Representing international banks in various court litigation arising from the insolvency of a major energy and shipping group.
- Acting for regional trading group in overturning worldwide freezing order in multi-jurisdictional dispute.
- Acting in relation to the seizure of various vessels in the context of Iranian sanction.
