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'Depth of talent and ambition': Global legal and business services firm expands Northern Ireland team with 19 new appointments including directors and a partner. By Claire Cartmill Published 25th Aug 2026, 14:55 BST Updated 25th Aug 2026, 14:55 BST DWF has strengthened its Northern Ireland operation with seven promotions and 12 new hires, as part of its continued investment in local talent and client services. Global legal and business services firm DWF has strengthened its Belfast operation with seven promotions and 12 new hires, in a move that underlines its continued investment in its Northern Ireland team. The latest appointments include the promotion of Belfast dispute resolution lawyer James Griffiths to partner, while fellow dispute resolution lawyer Carley Chapman and insurance lawyer Ciara Liddy have been promoted to director. Catherine Astbury and Claire Flynn have both been promoted to senior associate within DWF's insurance services division. Construction lawyer Lauren Hamilton has been promoted to associate, while Emma Wilson has moved into a paralegal role within the commercial services team. You May Like The promotions are part of DWF's latest global round, which saw 263 colleagues promoted across the business, including 22 new partners or partner-equivalent roles. A further 18 existing partners were promoted to higher levels within the partnership structure. DWF has also expanded its Belfast workforce with 12 new starters during 2026 across its insurance and commercial services divisions. Among the new appointments are Kellie McKinstry, who joins as a director in the motor and fraud team, and Conrad Dixon, who has been appointed senior associate in the healthcare team. The other new starters are Ruth Campbell, Helen Madden, Cliona Martin, Majella MacOscar, Melissa McParland, Noreen McEldowney, Conor McAuley, Maeve McConville, Hollie Ferris and Catherine Losty. Julie Galbraith, managing partner of DWF in Belfast, said the latest promotions reflected the "depth of talent and ambition" within the local team. She explained: "These promotions reflect the depth of talent and ambition within our Belfast team, as well as the continued strength of our offering for clients across Northern Ireland and beyond. Each individual has made a significant contribution through their hard work, expertise and commitment to collaboration and client service. I am delighted to see their achievements recognised and would like to congratulate them all on this well-deserved milestone in their careers." The latest recruitment and promotions represent a significant expansion of DWF's Belfast talent base and strengthen its ability to support clients across Northern Ireland in areas including insurance, dispute resolution, healthcare, construction and commercial services. The firm said the appointments reflected its ongoing investment in its teams and its commitment to developing talent within its Belfast operation. Promotions: James Griffiths, partner, commercial services; Carley Chapman, director, dommercial services; Ciara Liddy, director, insurance services; Catherine Astbury, senior associate, insurance services; Claire Flynn, senior associate, insurance services; Lauren Hamilton, associate, commercial services; and Emma Wilson, paralegal, commercial services. New hires: Kellie McKinstry, director, insurance services; Conrad Dixon, senior associate, insurance services; Ruth Campbell, associate, insurance services; Helen Madden, associate, insurance services; Cliona Martin, associate, commercial services; Majella MacOscar, associate, commercial services; Melissa McParland, solicitor, insurance services; Noreen McEldowney, solicitor, insurance services; Conor McAuley, solicitor, Iinsurance services; Maeve McConville, solicitor, insurance services; Hollie Ferris, solicitor, insurance services and Catherine Losty, solicitor, commercial services.

DWF closes Saudi Arabia office. UK firm set up its regional headquarters in kingdom in 2021 as part of Saudi economic diversification drive 18 August 2026 DWF has closed its office in Saudi Arabia in favour of working with local law firms. The UK firm was among 44 international businesses which signed a deal to set up their regional headquarters in the kingdom in 2021 under its Future Investment Initiative. However, a spokesperson confirmed that since earlier this year, it had been supporting its clients' requirements "through collaboration with local independent firms, and via our colleagues elsewhere in the region". Advertisement "In terms of the reason for the change, we are confident that we can continue to successfully support our clients through the arrangements we now have in place," the spokesperson added. Under the firm's 2021 plans, it housed a business services division at its new DWF Arabia headquarters under the leadership of chief executive Mohab Khattab, who joined from Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Company, where he was general counsel. A legal services division, meanwhile, would operate through a tie-up with Al-Ohaly & Partners, led by Abdulrahman Al-Ohaly, a former senior associate at Clyde & Co. LAW OVER BORDERS COMPARATIVE GUIDES Arbitration Law Guide The Law Over Borders Comparative Guide to Arbitration provides a comprehensive understanding of the current complexities of international arbitration... | 1yr. However, Al-Ohaly joined HFW as a corporate commercial partner in Riyadh in November 2023, and Khattab left in February 2025 to become executive director of the legal department at NEOM, an economic and urban development project in north-western Saudi Arabia supporting the Saudi Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy away from oil. DWF's departure from Saudi Arabia bucks the trend of law firms setting up shop in the kingdom, after it liberalised its rules to allow international firms to practise local law. Saudi Arabia awarded its first licences to foreign law firms in March 2023, with Clifford Chance, legacy Herbert Smith Freehills and Latham & Watkins among the first cohort. According to publicly available data tracked by Pirical, 35 global 200 law firms have offices in Saudi Arabia

Claim success story: how DCL and DWF saved over £151,000 for policyholders. 23rd July 2026 When one of its policyholders is involved in an incident, they need to know Direct Commercial Ltd has got their back. That means settling genuine claims quickly and fairly, while also challenging fraudulent, exaggerated and opportunistic claims that could unfairly impact them. Working alongside its legal partners at DWF, Direct Commercial Ltd has helped protect its policyholders and save more than £151,000 across six recent cases alone. Here's how. Telematics evidence in action. Savings: £3,971.95 The claimant alleged a collision involving one of its insured commercial vehicles. There was just one problem: the vehicle wasn't there. Using telematics data, DWF's specialist team proved that its policyholder's vehicle was nowhere near the location described in the claim. Faced with the evidence, the claimant discontinued proceedings, resulting in a complete defence of the claim. Claims farming concerns. Savings: £5,930.58 This claim raised concerns around potential claims farming, involving multiple hire companies and claimant representatives. Despite conflicting accounts of the incident, its insured driver stood by his version of events and remained committed to defending the claim. At trial, the court dismissed the claimant's case entirely and ordered witness expenses to be paid. The outcome also prevented further associated claims from succeeding. Challenging an inflated claim. Savings: £25,502.94 Not every claim is fraudulent from the outset, but some become exaggerated along the way. In this case, the claimant pursued extensive injury and credit hire claims that weren't supported by the evidence. Through detailed investigation and expert challenge, the court substantially reduced both the injury award and the hire claim. The result was a significant reduction in damages and associated costs. Inflated damage and hire costs. Savings: £49,770.78 This was one of the most significant wins in the report. The claim involved concerns over inflated vehicle damage and credit hire costs. Working together, DCL and DWF gathered independent engineering evidence and challenged inconsistencies throughout the claim. As pressure mounted and key evidence failed to materialise, the claimant withdrew the entire claim. A robust approach, combined with a refusal to accept figures at face value, delivered savings of almost £50,000. Dashcam footage is a game-changer. Savings: £61,204.03 Dashcam footage proved to be the game changer in this case. The claimant alleged significant injuries following what evidence showed was a low-speed impact. The footage not only challenged the circumstances of the incident but also raised serious questions around the credibility of the injuries being claimed. The claim was successfully repudiated, preventing more than £61,000 from being paid out. Medical evidence under scrutiny. Savings: £4,684.00 When medical evidence doesn't withstand scrutiny, claims can quickly unravel. This case involved injuries that were considered implausible when compared against the available evidence. DWF challenged the claimant's medical evidence directly, leading to significant weaknesses being exposed before the hearing. The claimant subsequently discontinued the claim, bringing the matter to an end. The bigger picture. These six cases alone delivered combined savings of £151,064.28. More importantly, they demonstrate the value of challenging claims that don't stand up to scrutiny. Through its telematics (Camatics) and dashcam (Connect) products, expert investigation and a willingness to defend cases when the evidence supports it, DCL and DWF continue to work side-by-side to combat fraud, exaggeration and opportunistic claims. Because when the facts don't fit the story, Direct Commercial Ltd is not afraid to ask questions. And when necessary, Direct Commercial Ltd'll fight the claim all the way. Find out more about how Direct Commercial Ltd has protected policyholders, reduced claims costs and continue to fight fraud...