Harriet Fear Davies returns to [Devereaux] Chambers after 129 day trial in Cayman Islands
From Devereaux
Harriet has returned to her normal London-based practice after the conclusion of the trial in AHAB v Al Sanea and others.
The case arises from the collapse of Ahmad Hamad Al Gosaibi & Brothers (AHAB) in Saudi Arabia in 2009, when it became unable to repay billions of dollars which it had borrowed from banks. The collapse sparked multiple claims around the world, including the Cayman Islands proceedings in which Harriet has been instructed since March 2015. The multi-billion dollar fraud trial there began in July 2016 and was initially due to end in February 2017 but in the event, did not finish until the end of July 2017. Harriet was part of a team of counsel, and London and Cayman based lawyers, acting for one of the groups of Defendants resisting the claims brought against them by AHAB. The trial was heard in the Cayman Islands Grand Court before the Islands’ most senior judge, the Honourable Chief Justice Anthony Smellie QC. Much of the evidence was heard via video-link from Saudia Arabia, requiring the Court to adjust its normal sitting hours, and the proceedings covered a wide range of complex law including fraud and forgery. Harriet was admitted to the Cayman Bar for the purpose of the proceedings.
In September 2017 Harriet returned to Cayman to undertake the advocacy in an application for top-up security for costs. The issues included questions of reciprocity and enforcement in Saudi Arabia.
Harriet now returns to her Commercial, Energy and Employment practice and will be clerked day-to-day by Practice Manager, Laurence Willicombe.
