Legal500

Pinsent Masons

LEVEL 8 MONARCH OFFICE TOWER, ONE SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD, PO BOX 11580, DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

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

Construction

Within Construction, Pinsent Masons LLP is a first tier firm,

‘Among the best for construction disputes’, Pinsent Masons’ ‘thoroughly professional’ practice enjoyed significant expansion in 2011, with Simon Harvey and Björn Gehle joining from Baker & McKenzie and Clayton Utz, respectively, and Daniel Tain relocating from the London office. On the non-contentious side, the team acted for China Petroleum Engineering Corporation in the EPC contract and associated agreements for the construction of the Habshan to Fujeirah oil pipeline. Sachin Kerur leads the team; Michelle Nelson, who ‘gives her all for her clients’, is the key disputes lawyer.

Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, Pinsent Masons LLP is a third tier firm,

Pinsent Masons’ ‘thoroughly professional’ team is particularly well respected for its construction expertise, for which it is considered ‘among the best in the region’. Group head Michelle Nelson ‘gives her all for her clients’ and has extensive regional expertise, having co-written the rules governing DIAC arbitrations.

Projects and energy

Within Projects and energy , Pinsent Masons LLP is a third tier firm,

Pinsent Masons’ construction expertise makes it a natural choice for clients seeking advice on regional infrastructure projects, particularly in the transport sector. India was a key jurisdiction for the practice during 2011, with managing partner Sachin Kerur advising Jetpur Somnath Expressways Limited on its 30-year concession from National Highways Authority of India to build a 128km section of National Highway 8, which connects Delhi to Mumbai. Other highlights included advising China Petroleum Engineering Corporation on its $1bn EPC contract and associated agreements for the construction of the Habshan to Fujeirah cross-Emirate oil pipeline. The team was reinforced by the arrival of Simon Harvey from Baker & McKenzie and Daniel Tain, who relocated from London in 2011.

Real estate

Within Real estate, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Pinsent Masons’ ‘professional’ real estate team ‘always delivers a timely, quality service’ for its developer clients. It has a particularly strong contentious practice, and managing partner Sachin Kerur acted for Perseus Property Management in its dispute against The World LLC relating to the consolidation of land payments for two island acquisitions. Non-contentious highlights included acting for Chun Wo Development Holdings on the real estate aspects of two mixed-use developments in Abu Dhabi. Associate Philip Corfield-Smith is also recommended.

TMT

Within TMT, Pinsent Masons LLP is a second tier firm,

Under the leadership of Lenka Glynn, Pinsent Masons’ emergent TMT practice has gone from strength to strength, thanks in part to a full MENA-region capability that attracts clients such as Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance and Alumco. The team’s regulatory expertise saw it advise ictQATAR on a national framework governing data protection and privacy for Qatar during 2011.

Further information on Pinsent Masons LLP

Please choose from this list to view details of what we say about Pinsent Masons LLP in other jurisdictions.

China

Offices in Shanghai and Beijing

France

Dispute resolution : International arbitration

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

London

Offices in London EC1R, London EC2A, London EC1Y, and London EC4M

Northern Ireland

Offices in Belfast

Singapore

Offices in Singapore

South West

Offices in Bristol

Vietnam

West Midlands

Offices in Birmingham

Yorkshire and the Humber

Offices in Leeds

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

Summary Of The Draft Bankruptcy Law

by Richard Catling - r.catling@tamimi.com

- Al Tamimi & Company
Data Protection and Privacy Issues in the Middle East

by Nick O'Connell - n.oconnell@tamimi.com

- Al Tamimi & Company
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