AED150 million win for petroleum client in Dubai dispute

Horizons & Co secured confirmation of AED150 million in unpaid petroleum debt for a Dubai-based client after reversing an absentee Dubai judgment and winning at attachment, appeal and Court of Cassation stages.

Dubai, UAE, 11 August 2026: Horizons & Co has secured a decisive outcome for a UAE petroleum supplier in a hard-fought commercial dispute, confirming AED150 million in unpaid petroleum debt after reversing an absentee judgment that had been entered against the client without its knowledge.

The dispute arose within a commercial relationship between the two companies worth more than AED1 billion in combined transactions. A single delivery of petroleum products, valued at AED150 million, went unpaid. The client pursued a year of negotiations before filing its claim.

Horizons & Co moved swiftly to secure an attachment order over the opposing company's assets, extending the order personally to the company's manager, who had signed guarantee cheques underwriting the transaction. The Ras Al Khaimah courts granted the order, which withstood a subsequent challenge from the opposing party.

The matter took a further turn when it emerged that the opposing party had separately obtained an absentee judgment against the client in Dubai. Horizons & Co appealed on the grounds of defective notification, and the appellate court agreed that the client had not been properly served. A court-appointed expert subsequently found the opposing party liable for the full AED150 million, and the Court of Appeal overturned the earlier judgment on that basis. The Court of Cassation upheld the decision on further appeal.

The underlying claim now proceeds before the Ras Al Khaimah courts, where Horizons & Co continues to act for the client.

The Horizons & Co team was led by Ali Al Zarooni, together with Alaa Morad and Eman Gad.

“This result reflects the strength of a proactive, multi-layered litigation strategy. Securing the attachment order at the outset gave our client protection and leverage from day one, and that same determination carried through to the appeal and the Court of Cassation.”
Ali Al Zarooni, Managing Partner

“Discovering a judgment had been entered against our client without proper notice was a serious concern. Correcting that record was essential, and the courts' findings vindicate our client fully.”
Alaa Morad, Senior Legal Consultant