Advising on complex commercial disputes
Adam Short
Partner, Disputes
Adam Short is a London‑based disputes partner, focusing on high‑value commercial litigation and international arbitration matters. He advises on international cross‑border and multi‑jurisdictional disputes, particularly those with a Middle East element.
He works closely with clients and referrers who value partner‑led, pragmatic and results-focussed advice. He is regularly instructed on matters where complexity, sensitivity or scale require senior oversight from the outset, and where clients are seeking a cost‑effective alternative to premium law firms (where Adam has spent much of his career) without compromising on quality.
Adam advises on a broad range of contentious matters for domestic and international clients, including:
- Complex commercial litigation in the English courts
- International arbitration, including under ICC, LCIA, DIAC and CAS rules
- Sports disputes
- Competition litigation, including follow‑on damages claims
- Fraud claims
- Directors’ duties and shareholder disputes
- Financial services and regulatory‑related disputes
Adam is frequently instructed by premium UK and international law firms where conflicts, cost or resourcing considerations make the instruction of larger firms impractical, and where a trusted and experienced disputes partner is required to manage matters efficiently and sensitively.
International disputes
Adam has spent around 5 years practising in Dubai and has significant experience advising on disputes connected to the Middle East, including matters involving UAE law, the DIFC Courts and international arbitration seated in the region.
He regularly acts for international clients, overseas law firms (directly or as co-counsel) and referrers who are seeking English law disputes expertise and a trusted London‑based partner.
At Greenwoods, Adam plays a key role in the firm’s international practice, acting as a senior disputes and arbitration representative and working closely with colleagues across the firm to support international clients and referral relationships.
Background
Adam trained at Clifford Chance and in 2009 qualified into the firm’s Litigation, Dispute Resolution and Regulatory team. Post-qualification, he worked in both Clifford Chance’s London and Dubai offices.
In 2012, he joined Travers Smith in London and in 2017 he relocated back to Dubai with Pinsent Masons.
In 2019, he rejoined Travers Smith in London, where he progressed to Senior Counsel. Before joining Greenwoods as a partner, Adam played a key role in developing Travers Smith’s international arbitration offering.
Selected experience
Adam has advised on a range of contentious matters, including:
- Acting for a sports team in a CAS arbitration
- Acting for a European Truck manufacturer in relation to competition follow-on damages claims and, in particular, a CPO
- Advising a director in threatened proceedings relating to fraud and breach of directors’ duties
- Acting for several premiership rugby clubs in relation to salary cap matters
- Acting on various high‑value contractual disputes for UK‑listed and international businesses
- Acting on various arbitration proceedings relating to construction, real estate, hospitality, and energy and infrastructure projects in the Middle East
- Acting for an investment company in defence of a High Court claim in relation to exotic derivatives trading
- Acting for shareholders and directors in an unfair prejudice claim
Adam is happy to speak with clients, referrers and overseas firms about potential disputes, arbitration matters or referral opportunities.