The Legal 500

Back to Legal500 home

Clifford Chance

13TH & 14TH FLOORS, AL NIYADI BUILDING, AIRPORT ROAD, SECTOR W-14/02, PO BOX 26492, ABU DHABI
Washington DC, Warsaw, Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, Sao Paulo , and 24 more

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

Banking and finance

Within Banking and finance, Clifford Chance is a first tier firm,

Clients regard Clifford Chance as having broad expertise in ‘many different areas’, and as being able to ‘tap into a multidisciplinary talent pool’. From general bank lending through to Islamic finance, securitisation and project finance, the firm is operating at the head of the market. The new Abu Dhabi office has already made a significant impression, with local clients recognising Richard Ernest as an ‘exceptional’ lawyer, who ‘knows his stuff’. In Dubai, Robin Abraham gives ‘very strong advice’, understands the needs of his clients, and has brought the banking practice on in ‘great strides’. ‘Truly impressive’ structured products and securitisation partner Debashis Dey and leading Islamic finance partner Qudeer Latif (‘clearly one of the best Islamic finance lawyers in the business’, ‘way ahead’ of his competitors) advised DP World on the establishment of its milestone $5bn MTN programme and sukuk issuance. Project finance remains the firm’s core sector with Peter Avery and Malcolm Turner continually impressing. Turner led the team that advised on the financing of a $5.52bn phosphate mine and fertiliser production project in Saudi Arabia, to be developed by Ma’aden Phosphate Company.

Corporate and M&A

Within Corporate and M&A, Clifford Chance is a first tier firm,

Though a smaller team at partner level than Allen & Overy LLP, Clifford Chance is regarded by many as an equal at the forefront of corporate and commercial work, and it does have the ‘deepest roots in the region’ of the Magic Circle law firms. That has afforded it unrivalled connections to government-owned or government-linked institutions in the UAE and throughout the Middle East: it is a key adviser to Dubai World, for instance. The firm has invigorated the corporate department by transferring experienced and technically astute partners from London, such as senior figure Simon Clinton, who provides a ‘very good service’ and is ‘solid’ and ‘reliable’, and the excellent Iain Hunter. It has an unrivalled equity capital markets practice and a significant market share of roles on DIFX IPOs, including the giant $5bn listing of DP World in November 2007. The firm remains a leading player in private equity, demonstrated by its advice to Dubai Financial Group on its $600m investment in Bank Muscat of Oman. Its regional clout was further demonstrated by its role as counsel to Saudi Arabian Airlines on the landmark privatisation of its in-flight catering and skysales businesses. The firm’s Abu Dhabi credentials were augmented in January 2009 by the arrival of M&A partner John Graham from the New York office.

Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution, Clifford Chance is a second tier firm,

Clifford Chance is another leading player in the regulatory investigation sector. Its strong banking client base has been crucial to this. The firm is also strong in arbitration related to disputes in the Middle East and Africa. UAE managing partner and ‘regional heavyweight’ Graham Lovett heads the department, while counsel James Abbott is highly recommended.

Insurance

Within Insurance, Clifford Chance is a second tier firm,

Financial services titan Clifford Chance expertly covers both contentious and non-contentious insurance. While its corporate partners have handled numerous transactions in the insurance sector, dispute resolution partner Graham Lovett has intensified his efforts to advise on the rapidly developing UAE regulatory environment and its implications for the insurance sector.

Investment funds

Within Investment funds, Clifford Chance is a second tier firm,

Clifford Chance transferred London funds partner Nigel Clark to the Dubai office in October 2008, along with highly regarded senior associate Charlotte Douglass, who returned to Dubai after a four-month secondment to the London office.

Legal market

Within Legal market,

As the world comes to terms with the financial crisis, it has become apparent that the UAE is not immune to it. Worries over the amount of debt that Dubai has accrued is well documented, and a number of its most highly esteemed corporations have announced redundancies and cost-cutting measures. Dubai’s position on the global stage is not under threat, with oil-rich Abu Dhabi expected to step in with funding should the need arise. Indeed, Abu Dhabi’s status within the global economy and the legal market became much more evident in 2008. A series of major law firms opened new offices in the UAE’s administrative capital during the year, including Clifford Chance, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Ashurst LLP, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP. It has become evident that the Abu Dhabi ruling family and the wealthy corporations that are either state-controlled or state-linked favour law firms that have an office in the Emirate; an office in Dubai is not sufficient. Evidently this has increased the number of firms seeking to open offices in Abu Dhabi. Further reports, however questionable, suggest that the Abu Dhabi authorities will restrict the number of office licenses awarded to firms in the future. This would mean the steady influx of firms would come to an abrupt end, and only those that have already demonstrated a physical commitment to the Emirate would be able to expand their operations.

Within Legal market,

As with many other jurisdictions, foreign law firms do not on the whole practice local law in the UAE. Many have therefore created fruitful relationships with domestic law firms. Al Tamimi & Company is widely regarded as the leading local firm, having successfully combined leading domestic lawyers with European and Australian practitioners. Some international law firms, such as Allen & Overy LLP, Clifford Chance and Denton Wilde Sapte operate integrated offices of locally-qualified and foreign international lawyers.

Projects and energy

Within Projects and energy, Clifford Chance is a first tier firm,

Allen & Overy LLP has a capacity and breadth of practice that is unrivalled in the region. In Saudi Arabia, the firm has gained a significant market share of power and petrochemical deals, including advice to the project company on a US$5bn petrochemical project (sponsored by Chevron Phillips and Saudi Industrial Investment Group) in Jubail. On the infrastructure side, the firm has completed a series of deals on behalf of DP World. Banking and projects partner Nicholas Crossin transferred to the Abu Dhabi office from Singapore in September, and links up with esteemed names in the UAE including Ian Ingram-Johnson, Jaspal Gillar and Christian Saunders. Bimal Desai heads the banking and projects department, which is described as ‘fast’, ‘accurate’ and ‘always reachable’. Clifford Chance handles a mixture of project development and project finance work, including large-scale real estate and mixed-use developments. A growth in water and sewage treatment projects, and an impressive portfolio of sponsor clients, illustrates the firm’s longstanding presence and esteemed status in the region. It also has a peerless record in Saudi Arabian projects. Malcolm Turner led the team which advised Export Import Bank of the United States and the commercial lenders on the US$3.5bn co-financing of a greenfield petrochemical plant in Saudi Arabia.

Real estate

Within Real estate , Clifford Chance is a third tier firm,

Clifford Chance’s real estate practice is overshadowed by the twin juggernaut departments, corporate and finance. That said, Dubai associate Steven Henderson receives a number of recommendations highlighting his contribution to the firm’s ability in real estate M&A and on signature developments in the UAE. Real estate partner Peter Deegan relocated to the Abu Dhabi office from Warsaw in 2008, further enhancing the firm’s credentials. The practice is also noted for its real estate funds business.

What we say worldwide

Please choose another Clifford Chance 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 Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Belgium

Offices in Brussels

Bahrain

China

Offices in Shanghai and Beijing

Czech Republic

Offices in Prague

Germany

Offices in Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, and Munich

Algeria

Spain

Offices in Madrid and Barcelona

France

Offices in Paris

Ghana

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

India

Italy

Offices in Rome and Milan

Japan

Offices in Tokyo

Jordan

Kuwait

Lebanon

London

Offices in London and London

Luxembourg

Offices in Luxembourg

Morocco

Netherlands

Offices in Amsterdam

Oman

UK Overview

Philippines

Poland

Offices in Warsaw

Qatar

Romania

Offices in Bucharest

Russia

Offices in Moscow

Singapore

Offices in Singapore

South Korea

Taiwan

Thailand

Offices in Bangkok

Tunisia

US

Offices in Washington DC, New York, and Menlo Park

Search News and Articles

Legal Developments by:
Clifford Chance

Legal Developments in United Arab Emirates

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

  • Dubai Financial Support Fund to spearhead restructuring of Dubai World

    The Government of Dubai issued a press release on 25 November 2009 confirming that, through its Supreme Fiscal Committee (SFC), it has authorised the Dubai Financial Support Fund (DFSF) to spearhead the restructuring of Dubai World with immediate effect.
    - Denton Wilde Sapte

  • Law No 9 of 2009 and Article 3 of Law No 13 of 2008

    Application and implementation of Law No 9 of 2009 and Article 3 of Law No 13 of 2008 and any pitfalls associated with the same.
    - Trench & Associates

  • A Lawyer’s Words of Caution

    Before I embark on a review on the current hotel management companies’ and owners’ predicament when entering into a market such a Dubai in the face of the financial crisis, I have a few questions to pose to Mr Mike Scully;-
    - Trench & Associates

  • UAE - Dispute Resolution 2009/10

    Commercial disputes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are generally resolved through litigation in the courts or arbitration. Arbitration is becoming an increasingly popular way to resolve disputes. The UAE recently signed the UN Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards 1958 (New York Convention).
    - Afridi & Angell

  • M-Banking in UAE, is it regulated?

    Whilst driving to work in the morning you receive an sms from your wife reminding you to pay the DEWA bill. You realize that you have one internal meeting at 9.30am and another meeting at 3.00pm. There is no time for you to go to DEWA office or other payment outlets and you are betting whether you have time to pay the bill online from your desktop computer. In fact the only time you have to think about this house chore is the time when you are alone in the car driving to the office. However with the advent of mobile banking, the bill can be paid by pressing a few buttons on your mobile phone and by the time you reach the office, you are free to concentrate on other matters.
    - Habib Al Mulla & Company

  • Can Freehold Visas Win Back Trust?

    Dubai’s freehold property era is several years old but some of its birth pangs were never really addressed.
    - Trench & Associates

  • Islamic finance update

    On 30 April 2009 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (Academy) of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) closed its 19th session. The Academy is composed of senior Shari’ah scholars representing Muslim member countries of the OIC. It is considered to be the most prestigious and high-ranking body of Shari’ah scholars in the Muslim world. Compliance with its resolutions, while not statutorily binding, is considered to be extremely important and persuasive.
    - Denton Wilde Sapte

  • Commercial Rules for Bankruptcy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    The laws on bankruptcy in Saudi Arabia are not extensive nor has their application been well tested. Saudi law dealing with bankruptcy is not very detailed and in broad terms it is left to the parties to make an agreement with each other or Shari'ah principles are applied and the relevant court will decide the matter.
    - Al Tamimi & Company

  • EMPLOYEE SHARE OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLANS

     
    - Al Tamimi & Company

  • Draft Arbitration Laws Published by Ministry of Economy and DIFC

    If enacted, two draft arbitration laws released for consultation in February 2008 stand to put the UAE at the forefront of arbitration in the Middle East.
    - Al Tamimi & Company
© 2009 legal500.com