Litigation, Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Arbitration

As an ever-growing number of commercial disputes are settled through the use of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution ("ADR"), we draft arbitration as well as dispute resolution agreements and represents clients in arbitration proceedings.

Civil and Commercial Litigation

We are one of the few law firms in Dubai able to offer legal advice as well as litigation and arbitration work under the same roof. Two lawyers of the firm are entitled to appear before all courts of the UAE and are able to handle all kind of litigation matters, in particular in all areas of civil and commercial litigation.

The work of the firm's advocates begins at a very early stage of an emerging dispute. If litigation is imminent, the client receives advice on the particularities of litigation in the UAE, the likely outcome of a law suit, the options for a settlement or some other out-of-court resolution of the dispute, and recommendations on the proper steps to be taken in anticipation of full-scale litigation

Corporate & Commercial

Banking and Insurance

In keeping up with the steady growth and development of the banking and insurance industry in Dubai , we are continuously expanding our banking and insurance law practice. Today, the firm's lawyers have expertise in specific areas of banking and insurance law such as international banking law and Islamic banking.

Related to commercial banking, we provide assistance to our clients on all their day-to-day legal issues as well as sophisticated lending structures and other financial transactions. Typical transactions are loan agreements, collateral contracts and debt management.

Since the current United Arab Emirates ' Regulations do not allow the new entry of a branch of foreign banks, the firm can advise on the establishment and license application of representative offices of foreign banks and financial institutions.

Corporate and Corporate Finance

Commercial Agency and Distribution; Franchising

The rules and regulations governing Commercial Agency and Distribution in the UAE are substantially different from European concepts of commercial representation and its various forms used in practice. The selection of the most advantageous structure for the distribution of goods and services can be vital for the future success of a European company in the Middle East .

Being familiar with all the implications involved, we can help to set up the most advantageous commercial representation and distribution structure.

We have experience in the area of cross-border franchising, including, soft drink, restaurant, and other service industries.

Corporate Acquisition

We advise on all aspects of corporate acquisitions such as asset deals, share deals, and all other forms of corporate acquisition, including a thorough legal investigation of the target company, the development of cost efficient transaction structures, and the negotiation, implementation and documentation of the transaction itself.

We are one of the leading local firms in this area as the lawyers of the firm have a deep understanding of the dynamics at work within the corporate and banking community of the UAE.

Corporate Establishments

We assist our clients in the development and implementation of the most efficient structures for corporate set-ups with domestic and international counterparts. Due regard is given not only to legal optimization and the operational practicability of the venture but also to the social and cultural particularities of multinational corporate set-ups in the UAE.

Corporate Restructuring

Investment Projects

We assist our clients in the formation of corporations and partnerships between local and foreign partners as well as of branches or representative offices and free zone establishments (e.g. Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai Airport , Sharjah, Ajman ), advises on the regulatory and registration requirements, and handles all legal aspects of setting up the appropriate corporate structure. Assistance is given in particular in formulating the most advantageous structure for the clients' domestic and international ventures, taking into consideration labor regulations as well as the important economic factors.

We provide an ongoing advisory service to both partners and management, covering all legal aspects of the day-to-day operation of the investment.

International Taxation

In recent years, the UAE have signed a number of 'double taxation treaties'. We

offer tax-consulting services concerning these double taxation treaties between the UAE and major foreign high-tax countries, in particular Germany and France . Long-term tax planning will often help to optimize corporate cross-border investments.

International Trade and Commerce

We have considerable expertise advising national and multinational companies on the implications of international commercial law on their international business strategies. We are also able to provide sound advice on GATT and other international trade agreements.

Maritime Law

We assist our clients in all aspects of Maritime Law, including cargo claims, contracts of carriage, arrest and attachment of vessels, freight, demurrage, maritime casualties, shipbuilding and repair contract negotiation and litigation, maritime liens, and maritime personal injury. The approach of our experienced and knowledgeable advocates and legal consultants is to avoid costly and time-consuming litigation by thoughtful and careful drafting; if litigation is not avoidable, we defend the interests of our clients by all legal means.

Oil and Gas

We are one of few Middle East law firms with an active oil & gas practice. Some of our members, particularly the founder, have broad expertise in the area of oil & gas agreements. Before establishing this law firm, the founder was working as an in-house lawyer for the UAEs' Federal petroleum corporation for many years and is therefore well acquainted with all legal aspects of the oil & gas industry.

Intellectual Property

Industrial and Intellectual Property

To address the increasingly diverse needs of corporate domestic and international clients in protecting and exploiting intangible assets, we have developed expertise in dealing with all legal aspects of industrial and intellectual property.

The work for clients range from the enforcement of industrial and intellectual property rights such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade names and know-how, to the structuring and negotiating of complex transactions embracing a great variety of industrial and intellectual property. Such transactions may involve franchises, technology transfer and licensing, distribution arrangements, and joint ventures.

We also advise and represent clients in unfair competition matters, such as labeling, counterfeiting and advertising, and deal with the criminal aspects of these issues. We offer our services in this field to many different industrial sectors such as computers, software, media, advertising agencies, oil & gas, airlines, and consumer goods.

Information Technology and Computer

We provide a broad range of services for the IT-industry, in particular in connection with the development and marketing of hardware and software products and of information technology. Such services involve the contractual negotiation for the design and purchase of hardware systems, the development and installation of custom-made software programs, and the maintenance of such systems.

Our practice in the area of computer law also covers EDI-agreements as well as the aspects of licensing and distribution work, including escrow agreements for software program source codes, end user licenses (click-wrap; shrink-wrap), intellectual property protection, criminal law, and litigation.

We are one of few Middle East law firms advising on legal aspects of the Internet and Electronic Commerce.

Construction and Real Estate

We have profound experience in all legal aspects related to construction and real estate development. We provide the full range of legal services required to structure and to negotiate agreements with developers, architects, project managers, contractors, tenants and other users as well as the assistance on construction permits and any other sale or purchase agreements.