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DAC Beachcroft Claims (Scotland) LLP v Mohammed Al Dahbashi Advocates
DAC Beachcroft Claims (Scotland) LLP v Mohammed Al Dahbashi Advocates
CA3/25
Thursday 29 October 2026
10:30 to 13:00 then 14:00 until conclusion
First division
The pursuer and reclaimer is a firm of Scottish solicitors. The defender and respondent is a limited liability company incorporated in the United Arab Emirates, trading as “ADG Legal”.
The reclaimer seeks payment from the defender of invoices rendered for legal services provided in relation to the conduct of litigations in the Court of Session. The respondent does not dispute that the services were provided but does dispute liability to meet the reclaimer’s fees. They contend that when entering into terms of engagement with the reclaimer, they did so as agents for a disclosed principal (viz., Leander CB Consultants Limited) and incurred no liability of their own.
A preliminary proof (trial) was held to determine whether the respondent or Leander was liable to pay the pursuer’s fees and outlays. No oral evidence was led and the parties agreed that the court could determine the question based on documentary evidence and submissions. The Lord Ordinary (Lord Lake) held that the respondent had entered into terms of engagement with the reclaimer in the capacity of agent for a disclosed principal, and that the resulting contract only imposed liability on Leander to make payment of the reclaimer’s fees and outlays. The respondent had not incurred personal liability under the contract. On 19 December 2025, therefore, the Lord Ordinary held that the court had no jurisdiction in respect of the respondent and dismissed the claim.
The reclaimer now seeks review of the Lord Ordinary’s interlocutor of 19 December 2025. The case will be heard by the First Division on 29 October 2026 at 10:30am.