Natalie Winwood

• Acting for a Jersey-based trustee to successfully discharge a USD3.1bn extra-territorial freezing injunction made against several companies held within an offshore trust.
• Securing injunctive relief and a search order (the second of its kind to be issued) in the DIFC Courts for a European tax authority in connection with a multi-jurisdictional USD2.1bn tax fraud claim.
• Successfully defending a GBP205m claim against a Jersey-based trustee in connection with allegations of fraud, breach of fiduciary duties and negligence.
• Acting for a Liechtenstein bank to successfully defend a EUR200m claim concerning allegations of fraud and negligence.
• Advising a UAE bank in connection with a multi-jurisdictional USD100m claim in the DIFC, English, Swiss, Jersey, Guernsey and New York Courts. The dispute concerns complex issues of conspiracy to defraud, and the challenging interplay between multiple simultaneous proceedings including s.1782 discovery, Norwich pharmacal relief, debarring from proceedings, freezing injunctions and attachment orders, unwinding claims and ultimately enforcement.
• Successfully defending multi-jurisdictional claims of fraud, alleged misrepresentation and vicarious liability totalling in excess of EUR100m for a Swiss bank.
• Acting for a syndicate of banks in connection with a USD101m loan facility dispute in the DIFC Court, including successfully negotiating with UAE authorities to resist enforcement and vessel-arrest proceedings.
• Advising a syndicate of banks concerning a USD95m claim for breach of contract in the DIFC Court, including strategic tactical multi-jurisdiction asset recovery and complex negotiations with an Abu Dhabi government authority.
• Advising a financial institution in connection with a GBP100m market manipulation claim, concerning complex political and reputational considerations.

Disputes Avoidance

• Advising on and implementing disputes risk management frameworks, including policy development, transactional documentation review, training, and regulatory alignment for financial institutions.
• Advising on industry-level policy work via the UAE Banks Federation and the practicalities of implementing Central Bank regulations.
• Designing and implementing a MEA-wide training programme for a multinational FMCG to strengthen communication and effective use of in-house legal services through need-based analysis and delivery of cross-functional sessions.

Advisor to Startups: Fin-tech, Agri-tech, F&B and Retail

• Providing strategic commercial and legal advice to startups on fundraising, corporate governance, operational structuring and disputes management.
• Advising shareholders of an ADGM crypto business on a claim concerning allegations of fraud.

• Over 30 years in the Middle East with a combined 15 years of private practice and in-house perspectives on commercial strategy and bringing, defending and avoiding disputes.
• Active panel speaker, mentor and coach, contributing to industry dialogue and professional development.
• Participated in student outreach programmes, including the University of Law Legal Launch Pad, East London Business Alliance debating initiatives and reading-mentoring schemes.
• Consulted on the draft Bahrain Corporate Governance Code including its scope, structure and practical impact on businesses.