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Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

42ND FLOOR, EMIRATES TOWERS, PO BOX 31303, DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Washington DC, Vienna, Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, Seef District , and 24 more

What we say about the firm's legal practice in United Arab Emirates

Banking and finance

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised MTN Nigeria on new loan facilities worth $2bn, and acted for the Ministry of Finance in Dubai on the creation of a regulatory framework for a $20bn rescue fund. The team was responsible for advising banking clients, such as Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, on setting up trading desks in the UAE, and acts for a number of local banks such as Emirates NBD and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. Joseph Huse is the office’s finance partner, although he divides his time between the UAE and Bahrain.

Corporate and M&A

Within Corporate and M&A, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is ‘very good, technically and commercially’, and is noted for its ‘intelligent, responsive and efficient solution-seekers’. The Dubai office underwent change following Bertrand Pellet’s arrival from the Paris office, and David Higgins’s return to London. Pellet will head the corporate team for Middle East and North Africa, and work alongside Patrick Ko. Ko advised ABN Amro Bank on transferring RBS NV’s UAE private banking business to ABN AMRO Bank NV’s DIFC branch, and acted on ABN AMRO Bank’s merger with Fortis Bank. Other highlights included advising Dubai International Capital on the sell down of shares in Merlin Entertainments, and acting for Abu Dhabi Investment Authority on its joint offer for EDF’s electricity distribution network.

Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s ‘UAE team is simply brilliant; its lawyers show extreme dedication, unique understanding of client requests, and always prove reliable’. Notable work includes representing MTN Dubai in proceedings against the Republic of Yemen regarding alleged discriminatory treatment and the government’s alleged failure to respect rights to exemptions on profits tax and customs duties. Senior members of the team – principal consultant Jan Paulsson, Joseph Huse and Reza Mohtashami – are highly recommended, and are often called upon to serve as arbitrators.

Projects and energy

Within Projects and energy , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s UAE team has ‘very good depth of expertise and the added advantage of being able to leverage off its UK experience’. Joseph Huse (‘really good range of experience’) and associate Marc Fevre (‘very good technically’) are advising SEHA (Abu Dhabi Health Services Company) on the Al Tawam hospital project. Other highlights included advising E.On Climate and Renewables on its international carbon joint venture with Masdar.

What we say worldwide

Please choose another Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP office to view full details of what we say in that region, or choose from this list to view a specific editorial reference in context.

United Arab Emirates

Offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Austria

Offices in Vienna

Belgium

Offices in Brussels

Bahrain

Offices in Seef District

China

Offices in Beijing and Shanghai

Germany

Offices in Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, and Cologne

Spain

Offices in Madrid and Barcelona

France

Offices in Paris

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

India

Italy

Offices in Milan and Rome

Japan

Offices in Tokyo

London

Offices in London

Morocco

Netherlands

Offices in Amsterdam

Philippines

Russia

Offices in Moscow

Saudi Arabia

Offices in Riyadh

Tunisia

United States

Offices in New York and Washington DC

Vietnam

Offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi

Search News and Articles

Legal Developments in United Arab Emirates

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

  • CORPORATE REAL ESTATE - United Arab Emirates

    Shahram Safai, Arsalan Shaikh, Andrew Yule, Christopher Linwood and Omar Ayad Afridi & Angell
    - Afridi & Angell

  • ANTI-CORRUPTION COMPLIANCE IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

    International businesses must devote ever increasing resources to avoid involvement in anti-corruption offences. Of course, for decades the strict provisions of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, have applied to American corporations, defined broadly to include entities whose securities are listed on American stock markets. These provisions have led to many non-U.S. corporations being caught in FCPA violations.
    - Afridi & Angell

  • United Arab Emirates

    Haider K Afridi and Chatura Randeniya Afridi & Angell
    - Afridi & Angell

  • Mediation – Bridging the Gulf

    Few things are as certain as disputes in construction projects. The Middle East has been, and will continue to be, a hub for construction activity.
    - Eversheds

  • Expansion of DIFC Court Jurisdiction

    The Dubai Government recently issued Law No. 16 of 2011 on Amending Some Provisions of Law No. 12 of 2004 Concerning the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts (the “Law”). The effect of the Law is that it significantly expands the jurisdiction of the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”) courts. In addition to providing parties with no connection to the DIFC the option of resolving disputes through the DIFC courts, the Law also opens up the possibility of avoiding the UAE court system and allowing parties to opt for an English-based, common law court.
    - Eversheds

  • Towards a Law on Online Service Providers’ Liability in the UAE

    I was recently asked, on two occasions within one week, to advise on online service providers’ (“OSP”) liability in connection with copyright infringing material.
    - Eversheds

  • Enforcement of Foreign Awards in the UAE: A U-Turn Ahead?

    Gordon Blanke and Soraya Corm-Bakhos, Arbitration department, Habib Al Mulla & Company It is commonplace in international arbitration theory that an arbitral award is not worth the paper it is written on unless it is easily enforceable. Unfortunately, enforceability is not always a given in international arbitration practice. Enforcement of foreign awards in the UAE may serve as an instructive example.
    - Habib Al Mulla & Company

  • Brief Overview of UAE Legal System

    The UAE Judiciary operates under a civil law system which is largely influenced by Islamic and European civil law; also, civil matters between Muslims are governed by Shariah law. In addition to subject-specific legislation which covers a variety of matters, the UAE has also adopted commercial and civil codes.  
    - Emirates Advocates

  • Inheritance Laws of the UAE – Significance of Wills

    If the transient bout of economic recession is kept aside, yester years witnessed huge growth in the financial sector of the UAE. This inspired a big chunk of expatriate population to relocate to the UAE both for employment and investment. With the most congenial economic and employment ambience created by the visionary rulers of the country, many of the expatriates made significant economical gains too.
    - Habib Al Mulla & Company

  • AN OVERVIEW OF UAE AGENCY LAW

    Mark Gilligan & Douglas G. Smith: September 2011 
    - Habib Al Mulla & Company
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