Global Investigations and Disputes Forum 2025 Recap
May 16, 2025
On May 7, Secretariat and The Wealth Today jointly hosted the Global Investigations and Disputes Forum (GIDF) in Dubai, attracting more than 300 attendees and 30 speakers from around the world. This dynamic forum unpacked key challenges in corporate investigations, crisis management, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance, offering strategies for risk mitigation and corporate liability. Participants had the unique opportunity to network with top investigations professionals, attend insightful and interactive panel discussions, and hear from industry leaders on crucial financial crime topics, including cross-border investigations, AI and blockchain in dispute resolution, and corporate integrity.
The session equipped attendees with essential tools for navigating the evolving global sanctions landscape, best practices for export controls and compliance, and key insights about the advanced technologies reshaping today’s risk landscape. Bhavin and Ralph’s discussion emphasized the importance of proactive measures and strategic planning to mitigate risk and reinforce resilience amidst the increasingly sophisticated financial crime arena.
Later in the morning, May Mhanna moderated a panel on “Family Disputes, UHNI & Financial Litigation Strategies.” The panel featured valuable conversations about managing complex disputes, discussing key issues such as control dynamics, personality dynamics, trust structure & execution, dispute resolution, and the delicate balance between transparency and secrecy in high-stakes litigation. Panelists discussed FCPA and global anti-bribery regulations, the intersection of sanctions, AML, and CFT frameworks, and explored financial crimes through the lens of enforcement case studies. This panel featured engaging conversations with Mohamed El Ghatit (OGH Legal), Marcus Parker (Stewarts), Ali Al Zarouni (Horizons & Co Law Firm), and Naief Yahia (Al Tamimi & Co).
In their panel discussion, “Role of Experts in Arbitration & Litigation: Bridging the Gap,” Chaitanya Arora (serving as moderator) and Ian Greenhough engaged in a dynamic discussion on how the early introduction of a seasoned independent expert witness adds clarity and credibility to complex disputes. Joined by panelists Walid Azzam (Hadef & Partners). Zeeshan Dhar (Yung Technology (FO of HRH Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah Al Saud)), Kunal Vajani (Fox and Mandal), and Shane Jury (Ashurst), our experts covered legal and financial complexities in UHNI family disputes, best practices for dispute resolution in high-stakes family matters, and strategies for financial litigation and navigating criminal litigation disputes.
Stephen Millington expertly moderated the panel on “Financial Statement Fraud, Short Sellers & Market Impact,” where panelists shared perspectives on market manipulation, investor protection, and regulatory response. This important dialogue at the intersection of finance, law, and accountability included discussions of financial statement fraud case studies, the role of short sellers, the impact of market news and cross-market listings, and how financial crimes influence market stability. Panelists for this session were Steve Smith (Eversheds Sutherland), Collin Lobo (HSBC), and Yaser Moustafa (Janus Henderson Investors).
The panel on “Reputation Management, Business Intelligence & Dispute Financing,” moderated by Charlie Warren, delivered sharp insights on protecting brand value, leveraging intelligence to anticipate risk, aligning legal and communication strategies in high-stakes matters, and financing strategies for complex disputes. Panelists Bryan Stirewalt (Grant Thornton UAE), Nicholas McDonagh (Teneo), and Benjamin S. Haley (Covington & Burling) explored how to protect your brand during high-stakes investigations and disputes, and how to navigate the evolving landscape of reputation management and business intelligence.
Later, Amran Nawaz spoke on “Sports: M&A, Investments, and Disputes,” demonstrating expertise in managing high-profile sports transactions and disputes, sharing vital knowledge, and highlighting the evolving relationship between law, business, and sports.
In the closing session, Ralph Stobwasser moderated “The Complexity Of Tracing and Ultimately Recovering Digital Assets,” alongside panelists Kanika Sharma (Fulcrum Capital), Abhinav Sharma (Dentons Link Legal), Joe Durkin (Burford Capital), and Priyank Ladoia (AZB & Partners). The panel covered legal, financial, and forensic strategies, along with key policy developments in India and the UAE. Panelists addressed developments in tracing assets in terms of technology, techniques, and transparency, navigating cross-jurisdictional barriers, practical considerations when freezing assets in a volatile environment, and exploring the future of NPA and litigation funding.
We were proud to host the GIDF alongside The Wealth Today. This thought-provoking, engaging event was a testament to the power of knowledge-sharing and collaboration in addressing the emerging and urgent topics facing our industry. Connect with our experts to explore how our insights and strategies can benefit your organization.
Secretariat Experts, Colleagues, and Clients at the GIDF:
If you know where and how to look, there is a wide range of publicly available information in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to support investigative research. In their article “China: Trends and Developments,” published in the Chambers International Fraud & Asset Tracing Global Practice Guide 2025, Greg Hallahan, Amanda Rasmussen, and Kristine Kwok note that the PRC’s data privacy and security rules impact access.
Secretariat’s Norman Harrison and Ben Boorer, together with Taylor Wessing attorneys Natasha Zahid and Mohammed Tartir, dive into the latest whistleblower issues and trends across the US, Europe, and the Middle East in their article, “When the Whistle Blows.”
Secretariat team members Stuart Gurrea, Jéssica Dutra, Wei Tan, Pablo Varas, and Noah Case have contributed to “Chapter I — Restraints of Trade” in the recently published “2024 Annual Review of Antitrust Law Developments” from the ABA Antitrust Law Section. Michael Koenig contributed to “Chapter VIII — Civil Government Enforcement”.
