Sarah Pearson-Baird

Senior Associate

About

Sarah advises clients on complex, high-value, multi-jurisdictional litigation and arbitration. Sarah's practice includes insolvency and restructuring-related disputes in the DIFC, ADGM and onshore UAE courts (in particular in relation to cross-border insolvencies).

Sarah also advises on fraud, compliance and investigation matters.

Areas of FocusLitigation, Arbitration and Investigations Restructuring Consumer Goods, Food and Retail Financial Services

Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

EXPERIENCE

Advising a healthcare company in respect of an Afghan law governed ICC arbitration involving strategic issues of jurisdiction and enforcement, including successful applications for the removal of parties outside the tribunal's jurisdiction.
Defending a pharmaceutical company and its shareholders in ICC proceedings relating to alleged breach of a non-compete agreement.
Working with clients to obtain third party funding in respect of litigation and arbitration, including successfully obtaining over USD6m funding for a portfolio of cases.
Advising a company on its strategy and presentation to third party funders in relation to its potential USD500m claim by way of DIAC arbitration proceedings and BIT investment treaty claim.
Pursuing enforcement of arbitral awards in jurisdictions across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Advising companies and financial institutions on the acquisition/sale of non-performing loan portfolios.
Advising a healthcare company in respect of an Afghan law governed ICC arbitration involving strategic issues of jurisdiction and enforcement, including successful applications for the removal of parties outside the tribunal's jurisdiction.
Defending a pharmaceutical company and its shareholders in ICC proceedings relating to alleged breach of a non-compete agreement.
Working with clients to obtain third party funding in respect of litigation and arbitration, including successfully obtaining over USD6m funding for a portfolio of cases.
Advising a company on its strategy and presentation to third party funders in relation to its potential USD500m claim by way of DIAC arbitration proceedings and BIT investment treaty claim.
Pursuing enforcement of arbitral awards in jurisdictions across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Advising companies and financial institutions on the acquisition/sale of non-performing loan portfolios.
Advising a charity (pro bono) in its investigation by the FBI following receipt of a donation from a sanctioned individual, including liaising with the US Department of Justice.
Advising a global biopharmaceutical company in an internal investigation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concerning widespread allegations of bribery, overstocking and breach of corporate policies.

Languages

Education

University of Durham, Bachelor of Laws (LLB), First Class Honours

BPP University, Legal Practice Course, Distinction

Publications

Co-author of the Abu Dhabi Global Market chapter of "The Insolvency Regimes of the Gulf Cooperation Council: Key Issues and Trends" published by INSOL International, January 2025
Best practices for conducting an internal whistleblower investigation in the UAE, 02 July 2024
Navigating the Legal Landscape of Whistleblowing in KSA, 28 March 2024
KBBO shareholders obtain recognition in England for Abu Dhabi bankruptcy, 21 March 2024

Memberships And Affiliations

Sarah is on the international leadership team and is the regional co-lead (Middle East) for LAW, DLA Piper's Gender Balance Network
Committee member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators' UAE Branch (YMG)
Law Society of England and Wales