The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

Clients are ‘extremely impressed at the overall professionalism and outstanding service rendered’ by Clyde & Co LLP, and ‘have no hesitation in recommending’ Ashley Painter and his team. The ‘service, response, and advice is simply exemplary’. Despite difficult market conditions, this practice won new instructions from Union National Bank and First Gulf Bank, and continued to act for clients such as China Investment Corporation, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Dubai Healthy Authority.

Within Construction, Clyde & Co LLP is a first tier firm,

The names of Mark Blanksby and Michael Grose at Clyde & Co LLP are synonymous with excellence in construction work. The ‘absolutely stellar’ Blanksby ‘can narrow the issues and head off problems at the pass’, while Grose is a ‘leading individual’. The group’s strength on contentious matters resulted in a notable increase in work in 2010. On the non-contentious side, David McElveney led a team that acted for Transfield Services International as part of a concession bidding to design, build, finance and operate the Mafraq-Ghweifat Highway.

Within Corporate and M&A, Clyde & Co LLP is a second tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s clients ‘have no hesitation in recommending the team’, which is ‘particularly impressive in the field of takaful/Islamic insurance’. The ten-partner team recently advised Royal SunAlliance on its acquisition of the third-largest insurer in Oman, and also represents British American Tobacco and Marriott Hotels. Other highlights included advising Zulekha Hospital on restructuring its business in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent, and acting for Minnow Marine Projects on its sale to GMMOS Group. Niall O’Toole is ‘efficient, professional, focused on problem-solving, and provides a high level of advice and assistance’, while Ben Gillespie is a ‘calm, patient negotiator who is knowledgeable about customs and practices in the region’. Peter Hodgins is recommended for his ‘in-depth knowledge of the insurance laws, and strong devotion to his duties’.

Within Dispute resolution, Clyde & Co LLP is a first tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s team is ‘very fast to respond, listens to what the client wants’, provides ‘advice that is commercially balanced’, and is able to ‘structure defence submissions to radically lower the claimant’s expectations’. The team acted for RTA Dubai on its $3.5bn dispute with Dubai Metro contractors, and represented Transglobal Metals in a $60m dispute arising from the termination of a coal supply agreement. Clients appreciate Glenn O’Brien’s ‘calm approach’, and rate consultant Alec Emmerson for ‘always advising on what is best for the business, rather than giving theoretical advice’. The firm enhanced its depth by relocating Irvine Marr from London and recruiting ten associates.

Within Intellectual property, Clyde & Co LLP is a first tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP provides ‘an international approach with local expertise’, and has ‘the ability to provide expertise in many Middle Eastern markets, including IP in some of the less “Westernised” states’. The team has six native Arabic speakers and earns much of its work from local clients, such as Du and Dubai Holding Group. The ‘practical, capable and reliable’ Rob Deans heads the group, which added depth by recruiting Joycia Young from DLA Piper Middle East LLP, where she headed IP for the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.

Within Projects and energy , Clyde & Co LLP is a third tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP’s David McElveney acted for Shahama as the contractor on the Shahama-Saadiyat Freeway project, and is advising Transfield Services International as the operations and maintenance provider in a concession team bidding for the Mafraq-Ghweifat Highway PPP. On the energy side, the firm was recently appointed to the panel of Abu Dhabi National Oil, and has already advised a subsidiary (ESNAAD) on preparing project documents. The team provides ‘fair and practical advice’, and has ‘good strength in depth, business acumen and industry knowledge’. George Booth joined from Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP.

Within Real estate, Clyde & Co LLP is a first tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP is ‘first choice for strata law matters’, with legal director Stephen Kelly having ‘keen awareness of developer issues related to the strata law that has been introduced in Dubai’. Clients are ‘extremely satisfied – the team’s advice is always timely and clear, and they are knowledgeable about the real estate industry in Dubai’. Scott Aitken led the team advising Hines on its acquisition of development rights to plots of land within a landmark community in Abu Dhabi. Alexis Waller advised Pearl Dubai on its $4.2bn landmark development. Waller is a ‘stellar lawyer; highly knowledgeable, responsive and professional’.

Within Shipping, Clyde & Co LLP is a first tier firm,

Clyde & Co LLP offers ‘excellent service and clear guidance’ on contentious and non-contentious shipping matters. Irvine Marr is acting for Herren & Partners on two non-payment claims potentially worth $50m against a charterer. Christopher Mills has ‘great commercial acumen and provides the kind of legal comfort that clients require’, while associates Katie Lenko and Hari Krishna have ‘great passion for their work and excellent commitment to client needs’. The firm strengthened its resources by recruiting and/or relocating four lawyers, including Marr and Mark Ledger.

Within TMT, Clyde & Co LLP is a second tier firm,

According to Clyde & Co LLP’s clients, ‘everyone at the firm, without exception, is very responsive, conscientious, commercial, and knowledgeable; one can rely on their predictable and consistent level of performance and expertise’. Anthony Garrod is ‘always available at a moment’s notice and able to either give a quick analysis or direct the client to an appropriate individual in the firm’. Media expert Joycia Young joined from DLA Piper Middle East LLP.