Thanks for your PMs.
Overnight I was thinking about this. What's the point if we have laws such as the MC where we as a PAX have an excellent case where an airline really can't hide behind the 'extraordinary circumstances' or 'force major' yarn if we don't use it. Perhaps because of perceived trouble we are prepared to instead suffer financial loss between what the airline offers and what we actually spent.
Perhaps my step by step journey through the process will help others who find themselves in a similar situation in the future.
Does Emirates have a European registered office?
There is or was one in London for some reason - Emirates Airline Ltd, 20-22 Bedford Row, London WC1R4JS - Company reg no 05761094