Pinsent Masons successfully represents Axis Limited in major DIFC dispute

Pinsent Masons has successfully represented Axis Limited and one of their employees, Ahria Esphandiar Roushanbakhti, in a significant non‑compete injunction dispute before the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Court of First Instance.

On March 18, 2026, the DIFC Court of First Instance, led by H.E. Justice Mark Pelling, refused an application by David Lee Rapp and Prime Energy Markets FZCO to enforce non‑compete clauses against former employee Ahria Esphandiar Roushanbakhti. The claimants had sought to stop Roushanbakhti from joining Axis Limited.

The Court found that the non‑compete in the shareholders’ agreement did not apply as Roushanbakhti had never been a shareholder. Although there was a serious issue to be tried regarding the employment‑related non‑competes, the Court declined to grant an injunction. With only 12 days left in the restriction period, the claimants’ two‑month delay in filing meant interim relief was not justified. The Court also questioned whether the claimants could meet any damages if an injunction were wrongly granted.

Pinsent Masons played a central role in guiding the defence strategy that ultimately persuaded the DIFC Court to refuse the interim relief sought, ensuring clarity and certainty for the clients on critical issues of jurisdiction and enforceability.

The Pinsent Masons team advising on the matter was led by head of the Middle East employment practice Luke Tapp with senior associate Emma Noble, with support from Lujain Assaf, Lydia Redman, Amira Oltiveros, as well as financial regulation partner Marie Chowdhry.