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Herbert Smith LLP

SUITE 302 THIRD FLOOR, AL BATEEN TOWERS C2 BUILDING, PO BOX 106178, ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, Paris, Moscow, Madrid , and 8 more

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

Banking and finance

Within Banking and finance, Herbert Smith LLP is a third tier firm,

Herbert Smith LLP advised Millennium Private Equity on the first sukuk financing for a UK corporate in the UK, and acted for Qatar Islamic Bank on its $750m sukuk. Nadim Khan is ‘a font of knowledge on Islamic finance structuring’, while Andrew Newbery is excellent on ‘project finance work, where his depth of experience and calm, helpful personality are essential to deal success’. Senior associate Qasim Aslam is ‘an unstoppable force when it comes to protecting his client’s interest’. Michael Barker joined the Dubai team from Hong Kong.

Construction

Within Construction, Herbert Smith LLP is a third tier firm,

Craig Shepherd heads the construction practice at Herbert Smith LLP. The group’s track record includes representing Jumeirah Capital and Iskandar Investment Berhad on construction in Iskandar Malaysia, and representing a consortium on its bid for the Mafraq-Ghweifat highway project in Abu Dhabi.

Corporate and M&A

Within Corporate and M&A, Herbert Smith LLP is a third tier firm,

Herbert Smith LLP is a regular feature on M&A deals, with a number of instructions stemming from the team’s strong investments funds client base. The team advised Gulf Opportunity Fund I on its $210m buyout of Saudi jewellery manufacturer and retailer, L’Azurde, and acted for Dubai Islamic Bank on taking a 52% stake in the Industrial Development Bank of Jordan. Dubai-based Zubair Mir is an outstanding lawyer.

Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, Herbert Smith LLP is a third tier firm,

Herbert Smith LLP represents clients such as Etisalat, Strabag and Tata. The group is active in all levels of courtroom and arbitration disputes, and consultant Diana Hamade has rights of audience in all UAE courts. The firm relocated restructuring and insolvency expert Michael Barker to the office from Hong Kong.

Investment funds

Within Investment funds, Herbert Smith LLP is a first tier firm,

Zubair Mir and Judith Watson at Herbert Smith LLP are ‘recommended for funds work’, both conventional and Islamic. Both lawyers have an impressive track record, having acted for EFG-Hermes on its $1bn MEDA fund and asset management business, and for Investcorp on setting up Investcorp Gulf Opportunity Fund 1 and Investcorp Islamic Gulf Opportunity Fund 1. Other clients include Dubai Islamic Bank, Global Investment House, and Abraaj Capital.

Projects and energy

Within Projects and energy , Herbert Smith LLP is a second tier firm,

Herbert Smith LLP acts for Gazprom Neft, operator of Iraq’s Badra field, on everything from contract discussions to day-to-day operation, and represented the Islamic Development Bank on the first IPP in Iran to be financed jointly by Islamic and conventional international means. The team is advising the Al Shoula consortium, which includes 11 Spanish companies, on its bid for phase 2 of the Haramain high-speed railway project. The practice recruited senior associate Joanna Addison from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP to deepen its expertise in Qatar. Addison brought with her instructions from Qatar Petroleum on the Pearl gas-to-liquids project. Neil Brimson heads the Middle East practice.

Real estate

Within Real estate, Herbert Smith LLP is a third tier firm,

Herbert Smith LLP relocated Nicholas Turner and senior associates Hazel Shakur Quinn and Nicholle Kingsley from the London office to Dubai. The group acted for SAP Middle East and North Africa on the AED23m lease for its new headquarters in Dubai, and advised Jumeriah Capital and Iskandar Investment Berhad on the first phase of the master plan development of Iskandar Malaysia.

What we say worldwide

Please choose another Herbert Smith 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

Belgium

Offices in Brussels

China

Offices in Beijing and Shanghai

Algeria

Spain

Offices in Madrid

France

Offices in Paris

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

Indonesia

Offices in Jakarta

India

Japan

Offices in Tokyo

London

Offices in London

Libya

Morocco

Russia

Offices in Moscow

Singapore

Offices in Singapore

Thailand

Offices in Bangkok

Tunisia

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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