Paul Katsouris

Managing associate

Paul is a Dubai-based managing associate within the firm's international superyacht team, who is dual qualified (England & Wales and Greece).

He acts for family offices, ultra-high net worth/private investors and financial institutions, with a particular focus on transactional work, representing buyers and sellers in relation to the sale and purchase of superyachts. 

Paul's matters regularly have a cross-border element to them with his clients located in various jurisdictions throughout the world, including locations that are regarded for being marine/superyacht hubs located in the Middle East, Europe and beyond.

Paul has been based in the UAE for over a decade and is seen as one of the "go-to lawyers" in region for a wide range of non-contentious and contentious maritime matters, ranging from transactional and corporate/commercial mandates, all the way through to complex disputes and crisis management related issues.

Paul is known for his commercial outlook and has a reputation for managing complex transactions in an entrepreneurial, methodical, and effective manner. He advises his clients on all aspects of the transactions that he leads on and is heavily involved in the full life cycle of the matters from initial negotiations through to the closing and post-completion. As a result, his clients regularly consult him on strategic and commercial matters, beyond the legal aspects of his instructions.

Paul is also active on contentious matters, where he is known for his pragmatic approach to handling and settling legal disputes. His experience in the Middle East, has enabled him to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the UAE laws and systems, including the common law jurisdictions of the DIFC and ADGM, and the Civil law system of the local UAE courts.

As a result of Paul's standing in the market, he is the recipient of many major accolades both within the legal and maritime community. Most recently, Paul was recognised in Seatrade's '20 under 40: Leaders of Tomorrow' list for the second consecutive year, and is listed as a 'Recommended Lawyer' by The Legal 500 EMEA Guide for Shipping in the UAE where clients praise him by stating, "Paul is excellent and has demonstrated his expertise time and again to us."

Experience:

•         Advising a private office on the sale of a 50m Benetti superyacht

•         Advising a UAE royal office on the sale of a superyacht

•         Assisting a client with the purchase of a 50m Mangusta superyacht