The UK Law Society Gazette has what we’d call a pretty explosive allegation. In 20+ years of reporting on the doings of law firms we can’t remember one being accused of torture?
Also, twice in one year. There is something very very fishy going on at Dechert in the UAE
A second Jordanian lawyer has filed a claim against international firm Dechert and one of its partners, alleging his human rights were violated during an investigation in the Middle East.
Jihad Quzmar, a former member of the Supreme Judicial Council of Ras Al Khaimah, claims Dechert and partner Neil Gerrard orchestrated or were involved in acts contrary to human rights law, including his unlawful abduction and detention.
Quzmar was subject of an investigation by Dechert into alleged frauds committed by associates of Sheikh Faisal, a potential rival to the current ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
In a claim form filed with the High Court, Quzmar alleges he was kept in solitary confinement in a small, dirty cell; interrogated; and suffered inhuman or degrading treatment.
A spokesperson for Dechert said: ‘The allegations against the firm and its personnel are completely without foundation and we shall be vigorously defending ourselves against them.’
In April, Dechert and three current and former partners were accused of torture by Karam Al Sadeq – another Jordanian lawyer – who claimed he was kidnapped, interrogated and placed in solitary confinement for 560 days during an investigation conducted by the firm.
All respondents vigorously deny the claim.
Gerrard is due to retire at the end of the year after nine years at Dechert.
Also read this in depth investigation published at Medium.com
Heres’ the introduction
The London office of international law firm Dechert and its controversial former global co-head of white-collar crime, Neil Gerrard, have had a second High Court claim filed against them for allegedly abusing the human rights of another political prisoner detained in the UAE emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK).
The prisoner, Jihad Quzmar, is the former legal adviser to the ruler of RAK, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi. Sheikh Saud believed that Mr Quzmar, who had recently resigned his position as a member of the Supreme Judicial Council of RAK, was working with his brother, Sheikh Faisal, who had been the original heir to the throne, and who he believed to be planning to overthrow his rule.
Sheikh Saud retained Dechert and Gerrard to conduct an investigation into alleged frauds committed by associates of Sheikh Faisal. These targets were rounded up and detained without charge or access to legal representation, and held in appalling conditions, where they were interrogated by Gerrard and his team from Dechert, and where they remain, six years later.
Read on at
