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Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP

4TH FLOOR, GATE PRECINCT, BUILDING 3, INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Warsaw, Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Shanghai, Sandton , and 28 more

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

Banking and finance

Within Banking and finance, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP is a regular feature on banking transactions in the Middle East, and recently picked up its first instructions from Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Union Properties, which the group advised on the extension of its AED2bn and $188m syndicated facilities. Other noteworthy work includes advising Kuveyt Turk on the first international sukuk originating in Turkey, and acting for the arrangers on a loan facility for the Al Marjan Island Project. Neil D Miller and Anthony Pallett are ‘recommended for Islamic finance’, while the senior associates are impressive: Rizwan Kujin ‘offers an excellent service’ and Lidia Kamleh is a ‘very efficient and knowledgeable debt capital markets lawyer’.

Construction

Within Construction, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP continued to build on its impressive track record. It advised Mubadala Development Company on construction aspects of the Sowwah Island development and assisted TDIC in negotiating an infrastructure development agreement with ADWEA and ADSSC, pursuant to which TDIC will construct various wastewater and water infrastructure. The team secured panel positions with Aldar and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipal Affairs. Jonathan Brufal and Martin Preston are the key construction partners.

Corporate and M&A

Within Corporate and M&A, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP acted for Marubeni on its purchase of a 20% stake in Ruwais Power, the project company raising finance for the proposed $2.4bn Shuweihat S2 IWPP. It also represented Qatar Shipping on its $110m disposal of Qatar Engineering & Construction, and Mubadala Development Company on corporate aspects of the Sowwah Island development. Campbell Steedman’s team is ‘very professional and offers excellent service’, and includes Alan Bainbridge, whose ‘strong business acumen, cultural sensitivity, and excellent legal analytical skills’ make him a favourite with clients. The firm is well respected for its work in the Middle East and North Africa, and for investment funds.

Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP represents global financial institutions, regional developers, and high-net-worth individuals. The group is praised for its value for money, and acted on ten arbitrations in 2010. Dubai-based Patrick Bourke, who heads the practice, is an excellent litigator.

Investment funds

Within Investment funds, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP advised Royal Capital on its first fund, Royal Capital MENA Fixed Income Plus Fund, and acted for BNP Paribas Asset Management on the closing of a closed-end MENA region private equity fund. All five corporate finance partners are active in the funds space, and Jane Clayton is highly recommended for such work, partly thanks to almost a decade’s experience in Dubai.

Projects and energy

Within Projects and energy , Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP’s UAE and Bahrain-based teams recently advised Constructions Industrielles De La Mediterranee on the construction and operation of a $800m waste-to-energy plant and integrated waste management system in Bahrain, and acted for Bahrain’s Ministry of Finance regarding a wastewater treatment plant in Muharraq. The group was also active in advising the lenders to the IRTIBAAT consortium on its bid for the Mafraq-Ghweifat highway project. Dubai-based Oli Charlesworth, and Martin Preston and Jonathan Brufal in Abu Dhabi are recommended.

Real estate

Within Real estate, Norton Rose LLP is a first tier firm,

Clients ‘strongly recommend’ Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP for major real estate projects, and find Nick Clayson ‘to be a valuable addition in many projects thanks to his tremendous legal and commercial insight’. The firm, which is currently acting on some of the most significant developments in the UAE, merged with Deacons of Australia in 2010, giving the team a valuable resource for strata-related work.

What we say worldwide

Please choose another Norton Rose 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

Australia

Offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Perth, and Brisbane

Belgium

Offices in Brussels

Bahrain

Offices in Manama

China

Offices in Beijing and Shanghai

Czech Republic

Offices in Prague

Germany

Offices in Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg

France

Offices in Paris

Greece

Offices in Athens and Piraeus

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

Indonesia

Offices in Jakarta

India

Italy

Offices in Milan and Rome

Japan

Offices in Tokyo

Kuwait

London

Offices in London

Libya

Morocco

Netherlands

Offices in Amsterdam

Poland

Offices in Warsaw

Qatar

Russia

Offices in Moscow

South Africa

Offices in Cape Town, Sandton, and Durban

Singapore

Offices in Singapore

Saudi Arabia

Offices in Riyadh

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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