Hadef Al Dhahiri & Associates is a full-service corporate and commercial law firm, providing counsel and legal expertise on all business-related issues, domestic and international. The Firm provides advice and consultancy services to foreign companies doing business or seeking to do business in the UAE, as well as to local companies conducting business domestically and internationally. Our lawyers have extensive experience in representing and advising clients in transactions and litigation in a wide range of business sectors. The Firm ensures the proper structure and content of contracts and agreements, negotiates and concludes those agreements, and advises on their subsequent implementation. Corporate Affairs The Firm is noted for its corporate law practice and its expertise in advising clients on the formation of local companies, the establishment of branch and representative offices of foreign companies, commercial agencies, sponsorship and related arrangements. The Firm advises and assists clients in the areas of company mergers, disposals, acquisitions, and restructuring. Hadef Al Dhahiri & Associates has been at the forefront in advising investment bankers, owners and founders in relation to the establishment of private and public companies. The Firm, through its leading role in the sector, has been instrumental in establishing the legal framework governing private placements and IPO prospectus preparation in the UAE, and counsels clients on all legal aspects related to public offerings Commercial Transactions Hadef Al Dhahiri & Associates has considerable experience in advising on and preparing contracts for local and international transactions covering a diverse range of areas including asset sales and purchases, joint ventures, distribution and commercial agency arrangements, procurement, construction, insurance, franchising and taxation. The Firm also advises on the practical application of laws and regulations and their impact on the conduct of business in the UAE. Banking and Finance Hadef Al Dhahiri & Associates advises banks, financial institutions and corporate and other clients on a broad range of banking and financial issues, including corporate and project finance, restructuring, privatisation and other transactional matters. The Firm has developed an expertise in Islamic finance and has advised leading local Islamic banks on various structured finance transactions. In recent years the Firm has advised both borrowers and conventional lenders in some of the largest syndicated loans in the UAE. Our financing lawyers have been involved in all types of loan/credit facility agreements including aircraft finance leases and corporate finance facilities. The Firm has substantial experience regarding available security arrangements in the UAE, including various forms of guarantees and available shareholder and Government support mechanisms. The Firm has substantial experience in banking regulatory and compliance issues and in dealing with the UAE Central Bank. Energy With the oil and gas industry being one of the chief sectors of the UAE and regional economy, the Firm has considerable expertise in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the Middle East and other regions of the world. The Firm’s lawyers have experience in various forms of production sharing agreements, operating and joint venture agreements, farm-ins, unitisations, various types of EPIC and EPC contracts for petroleum ventures, transportation agreements and crude oil, natural gas and product sale and purchase agreements. The Firm has advised utility companies in relation to various gas and other fuel sale and purchase agreements, gas pipelines and overhead transmission line contracts. Downstream, the Firm has expertise in joint marketing, distribution, agency, and fuel depot agreements. Water and Power The Firm also has a proven record in representing clients in the largest of the UAE power and water (green and brown field) projects. The Firm has advised clients on all aspects of such projects including: tender documents, financing, joint venture/consortium issues, shareholder agreements, corporate structures, water and power purchase agreements, concessions, asset transfer agreements, power station leases, offtake agreements, EPC contracts, operating and maintenance, transmission and distribution agreements. The Firm has acted on behalf of project sponsors, advising on all aspects of regulatory compliance and environmental laws. Maritime, Trade and Insurance The Firm has experience in advising on ship financing, mortgages and registration as well as in ship building, repair and conversion issues. In addition to this, the Firm has also been involved in the offshore construction business currently ongoing in the UAE and Arabian Gulf and the maritime industries developed and developing to service the same. The Firm also advises on the traditional disciplines of maritime law, such as contracts of affreightment, international sale and commodity disputes, marine insurance and collision, salvage and general average, as well as oil pollution and environmental issues. Construction and Engineering The accelerated economic growth of the UAE over the past two decades has driven significant growth in the construction industry. Hadef Al Dhahiri & Associates has played an active role in supporting that industry, providing expert legal advice on all facets of construction law. The Firm has advised and negotiated some of the largest water, power, pipeline and overhead transmission line EPC contracts from tender stage to detailed contract. Additionally, the Firm has acted for large developers undertaking hotel, leisure, commercial, and residential projects, resulting in a depth and breadth of knowledge and experience in relation to both building and engineering procurement, and the different types of FIDIC and hybrid contractual arrangements, as well as a range of bonds, guarantees and direct agreements. The Firm also represents clients in construction arbitrations and court litigation. Intellectual Property As issues surrounding intellectual property have become more prominent and complex internationally, the demand for legal expertise in this area has increased. Additionally, the UAE has progressed revisions to its relevant intellectual property legislation to comply with its GATT commitments. Hadef Al Dhahiri & Associates registers and safeguards a large number of prominent trademarks in the UAE. The Firm also has considerable expertise in the area of copyright law and is a registered patent agent with the UAE Patent Office. Information Technology Following the launch of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone and other IT initiatives, the UAE is rapidly becoming the location of choice for many businesses focused on information technology. Hadef Al Dhahiri & Associates has broad experience in supporting the requirements of IT businesses, from corporate structuring and ESOPs to development service contracts, software licences and revenue sharing activities. Real Estate Investment in real estate development has grown rapidly since ownership by foreign nationals was initially permitted by Dubai in certain locations in the year 2001. The Firm has significant experience in negotiating and documenting real estate purchase contracts, partnerships between investors and developers and other related transactions. In this emerging sector, the client's success is dependant on assuring that international standards are compatible with local traditions. Government Regulation The Firm assists the Government of the UAE and the local authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in drafting laws and regulations, helping to ensure that laws and their enforcement achieve the desired and intended objectives. The Firm is regularly engaged in the incorporation of Governmental institutions, the drafting of internal policies and manuals and the preparation of legislation and regulations to address various issues including the preservation of the environment, the protection of aquatic resources and the privatisation of water and electricity. This experience places the Firm in a unique position to advise private clients on these matters. Environmental The Firm was engaged in drafting laws and implementing regulations for the UAE Federal Government and the local Emirates, thereby enabling us to advise effectively on enforcement and compliance issues in the area of environmental law and practice. The Firm has assisted many industrial projects, including large-scale water and electricity and gas projects, not only in relation to compliance with environmental regulations but also in the procurement of environmental licences and approvals and the preparation and negotiation of requirements for Environmental Impact Assessments. WTO/GATT As the UAE gained membership in the WTO, Hadef Al Dhahiri & Associates expanded its capabilities in this area. The WTO/GATT multilateral trading system involves various agreements that have far reaching effects for governments and businesses alike. The Firm advises regional clients and industry players on the implications of WTO membership. UAE Offset Operations In 1990, the UAE launched the UAE Offsets Program to facilitate investment and consequent economic development arising from defence procurement contracts with the UAE Armed Forces. Hadef Al Dhahiri & Associates has substantial experience in advising clients on all aspects of the Offsets Program, including compliance with its required financial, technical, and commercial criteria. The UAE Offsets Group has recently broadened the scope of its activities and now plays an essential role as an investment adviser to, and deal promoter on behalf of, the Government of Abu Dhabi. Litigation Hadef Al Dhahiri & Associates is a full-service business law firm with extensive experience in commercial litigation, and in managing dispute resolution both locally and internationally. The Firm's lawyers include a team of Arab nationals qualified to appear before all courts of law in the UAE as well as a number qualified in other jurisdictions. The Firm’s litigation practice covers a broad spectrum of corporate and commercial law, as well as particular specialisations in shipping, banking, construction, insurance, agency, and payment default. Arbitration Hadef Al Dhahiri & Associates is regularly involved in domestic and international arbitrations. A number of senior lawyers have had experience as arbitrators as well as in representing clients with respect to complex arbitrations.
|