The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Hadef & Partners is a third tier firm,

‘Among the top UAE law firms for finance-related matters’, Hadef & Partners ‘scores highly in terms of quality, promptness of response and market knowledge’. Jointly headed by Alan Rodgers in Dubai and James Farn in Abu Dhabi, the practice’s record in the power projects and infrastructure space has made it a logical choice for borrowers and lenders involved in international projects with a UAE law component. Highlights included advising the sponsors on the refinancing of the Shuweihat 2 independent water and power project. Valeria Lysenko is ‘one of the finest minds in the UAE’.

Within Construction, Hadef & Partners is a second tier firm,

Hadef & Partners handles a mix of large-scale construction arbitration and substantial local court litigation, drawing on the extensive experience of Anthony Edwards in Dubai and Basil Siddiqi in Abu Dhabi. In 2012, Siddiqi represented Terna SA in an arbitration concerning the construction of the Park Rotana Hotel mixed-use development in Abu Dhabi.

Within Corporate and M&A, Hadef & Partners is a third tier firm,

Hadef & Partners’ ‘very skilled team’ provides ‘professional service at reasonable fees, and has a good understanding of commercial issues’. It is particularly noted for the depth and breadth of its UAE-specific knowledge, and has amassed a strong regional client base, as well as international clients. In 2012, the team acted for Tyco International on its $300m acquisition of a 75% stake in KEF Holdings from Dubai International Capital LLC. Erik Muthow, Sameer Huda and Barton Hoggard are recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, Hadef & Partners is a first tier firm,

Hadef & Partners is ‘an invaluable resource when dealing with UAE court matters or with the UAE judicial authorities’, and fields an ‘extraordinarily receptive and immensely capable’ litigation team that is ‘among the best in the UAE’. In 2012, the team represented Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank in various claims in the Abu Dhabi and Dubai courts against Saudi companies Saad and Al Gosaibi. Dubai practice head Richard Briggs has ‘an excellent reputation’, and is ably supported by Adrian Chadwick, Erik Muthow, and Abu Dhabi practice head Saleh Ahnaish.

Within Intellectual property, Hadef & Partners is a second tier firm,

Hadef & Partners’ highly qualified team of local experts is expanding its franchising practice for regional and international brands in the fashion, retail and automotive sectors, among others. Richard Briggs handles contentious IP matters, while Michael Lunjevich advises on franchising and licensing.

Within Investment funds, Hadef & Partners is a third tier firm,

Hadef & Partners’ corporate head Sameer Huda has extensive experience in private equity fund formation. Additionally, the team has been instrumental in advising government bodies on the development of the regulatory regime governing investment funds in the UAE.

Within Projects and energy, Hadef & Partners is a third tier firm,

Hadef & Partners’ practice is valued for its ‘well thought out, useful and to-the-point advice’, and its ability to ‘efficiently explain the UAE legal landscape’. It is representing Mubadala Development Company in the financing of the first education PPP in Abu Dhabi. Alan Rodgers is ‘good at giving answers in a useful, easy-to-understand way’, and Valeria Lysenko ‘digs in and leaves no stone unturned in finding out an answer’.

Within Real estate, Hadef & Partners is a first tier firm,

Hadef & Partners’ long-established real estate practice is among the most experienced in the region. It is consistently at the forefront of cutting-edge transactions in the region, and acted for Saadiyat Development Investment Company on the multibillion-dirham Eco Point mixed-use development, which involved drafting mustaha agreements for plots of land. Abu Dhabi-based Basil Siddiqi and Dubai-based Michael Lunjevich are the names to note.

Within Shipping, Hadef & Partners is a first tier firm,

Hadef & Partners’ shipping practice is ‘infinitely approachable, responsive and practical’, and its team of local law experts ‘almost always has the correct answer’. In 2012, the firm worked on various new ship finance loans, largely due to increased appetite among established regional players, and was kept busy with shipping disputes. It acted for Maersk Line in defending Dubai court proceedings brought by cargo receivers, and acted as UAE counsel to Standard Chartered on a $45m Korean ECA-backed facility made available to Gulf Energy Maritime to finance the construction of an Aframax LR2 vessel. Erik Muthow is ‘particularly strong in shipping disputes’.

Within TMT, Hadef & Partners is a second tier firm,

Hadef & Partners’ TMT practice handles commercial and regulatory matters for electronics manufacturers such as LG Electronics, as well as hardware, software and services companies, and a growing roster of regional telecoms clients. Michael Lunjevich is recommended.