Firms To Watch: Dispute resolution: local litigation

Fichte & Co. has a dedicated local litigation team in the UAE, which is co-led by Ravi Jawani and Alessandro Tricoli. It has niche expertise in handling maritime, shipping and  insurance disputes.

Firms in the Spotlight Dispute resolution: local litigation

HAMDAN ALSHAMSI LAWYERS & LEGAL CONSULTANTS

HAMDAN ALSHAMSI LAWYERS & LEGAL CONSULTANTS logo

Hamdan AlShamsi Lawyers and Legal Consultants has a full service Dispute Resolution and International Arbitration practice.

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Alsuwaidi & Company

Alsuwaidi & Company logo

Alsuwaidi & Company is a full-service modern law firm, with a commercial approach. Since the firm started in 1997, it has recruited high-calibre and experienced lawyers from international backgrounds. The team works closely together in a collegiate environment and continues to win praise from clients for impressive results. It punches above its weight, particularly in …

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Dispute resolution: local litigation in United Arab Emirates

Al Tamimi & Company

Al Tamimi & Company has a leading local litigation offering, with the team advising both national and international organisations on a full range of disputes in the region. Regional head of dispute resolution Hassan Arab has significant experience handling civil and commercial litigation. Mohamed Al Marzouqi has specialist expertise in banking, property, commercial and IP-related disputes and Ahmed Allouz focuses on real estate, medical malpractice, and commercial disputes. Also noted is chairman Essam Al Tamimi, who has extensive litigation experience in the UAE, and Naief Yahia, who has particular expertise in construction-related disputes. Taiba Alsafar is also noted for her civil, commercial and criminal litigation expertise.

Practice head(s):

Hassan Arab; Ahmed Allouz; Mohamed Al Marzouqi

Other key lawyers:

Essam Al Tamimi; Naief Yahia; Zafer Sheikh Oghli; Ammar Haykal; Taiba Alsafar

Testimonials

‘Al Tamimi’s litigation team is one of the best I worked with.’

Key clients

Walch & Schurti Attorneys At Law

Oman Insurance Company

Mashreq Bank

LG Electronics

Credit Suisse

FAB Securities

El Seif Engineering

KT & G

Mediclinic

beIN Sports

HSBC

Majid Al Futtaim

MBC Group

Caterpillar

Standard Chartered

Mubadala Investment Company PJSC

Oracle

Warrington Fire

Tanj Energy

TCA JV

GE

Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology

Emirates Water and Electricity Company

Work highlights

  • Represented Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC against a business tycoon to recover AED 550 m that was loaned to the defendant.

Hadef & Partners LLC

Hadef & Partners LLC has a first-class local litigation practice in the UAE, with full rights of audience in the UAE courts and particular strength in commercial, maritime, and construction disputes. The team is co-headed by Abdulrahman Juma, who specialises in commercial and rental disputes, and Salih Ahnaish, who has extensive experience in commercial litigation. Adrian Chadwick, deputy head of the group, is also noted for his commercial disputes expertise, as well as strength in maritime transport and trade-related matters. Basil Siddiqi is a key contact for construction and real estate disputes and Walid Azzam specialises in commercial and corporate arbitration and litigation.

Practice head(s):

Abdulrahman Juma; Salih Ahnaish

Other key lawyers:

Adrian Chadwick; Basil Siddiqi; Walid Azzam; Omar Al Heloo; Tareq Obeidat; Ghalib Mahmoud; Karim Mahmoud

Testimonials

‘Walid Azzam has solid experience in local laws. He provides precise advice and makes recommendations that take into account both the commercial and legal aspects of any dispute.’

‘Personal attention, responsive, and pragmatic team.’

‘Karim Mahmoud is knowledgeable, reliable and collaborative.’

BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP

BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP’s litigation practice has strong local expertise, with full rights of audience before all levels of UAE courts. Key areas of sector strength include banking and finance, bankruptcy and restructuring, construction, insurance, and healthcare. Asim Ahmed heads the team and has a broad litigation practice, with particular expertise in real estate disputes. Ahmad Bin Hezeem has extensive experience handling civil and criminal litigation and Abdullah Ishnaneh focuses on medical malpractice, employment and debt recovery disputes.

Practice head(s):

Asim Ahmed

Other key lawyers:

Ahmad Bin Hezeem; Abdullah Ishnaneh

Key clients

Emirates Neon

ABC International

Rodeo Drive

Takaful Emarat Insurance PSC

Al Rashideen Trading & Distributions Consumer Products LLC.

Total UAE LLC

Common Group International Co. Ltd

Work highlights

  • Provided pre-litigation advice to Rodeo Drive and submitted a claim, on their behalf, against Tom Ford International, regarding an early termination of contract.

Galadari, Advocates & Legal Consultants

Galadari, Advocates & Legal Consultants is well regarded for its local litigation expertise, with the team regularly working alongside international law firms on complex disputes involving local litigation elements. Managing partner Ahmed Galadari has extensive experience before the UAE courts, with particular expertise in construction disputes. Abdulla Ziad Galadari has a broad disputes practice, covering banking and finance, commercial, construction, and corporate disputes. Fadi Hassoun specialises in real estate, employment, and financial crime dispute resolution and senior counsel Marwan Al Cherkeh primarily focuses on banking and finance-related disputes.

Practice head(s):

Ahmed Galadari; Abdulla Ziad Galadari; Fadi Hassoun

Other key lawyers:

Marwan Al Cherkeh

Testimonials

‘They are local law firm with international standards and lawyers, they are familiar with local UAE laws and DIFC laws and international laws.’

‘Abdulla Ziad Galadari is a well known lawyer with solid experience in local laws.’

Key clients

Dubai Holding

Dubailand

TECOM Group

Islamic Arab Insurance Company PJSC

Dubai Properties Group

Sheikh Faisal Al Mualla

Al Ghurair Construction Aluminium LLC

Samsung

DEPA Group PJSC

DAMAC

Meraas

AQAAR

The Federal Tax Authority

Global Village

Imdaad

Action Group Holdings

Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company

Frayland Construction

Dubai Real Estate Centre

Shuaa Capital

Al Sagr National Insurance Company

Work highlights

  • Representing Spectrami DMCC, a global value-added distributor offering comprehensive cyber-security solutions, as a one of the defendants in DIFC court proceedings filed by multiple banks claiming misuse of a corporate loan facility.
  • Representing Al Shafar Transport & Contracting Co. LLC, as the claimant, in a DIAC arbitration against Nakheel PJSC, as the respondent, concerning multiple breaches of a contract pertaining to construction of a major residential villa community in Dubai.

OGH Legal

Boutique disputes firm OGH Legal handles a broad range of disputes, with particular strength in construction, banking, and commercial disputes. The team is co-led by litigation specialist Sherif Hikal, who has significant experience in the areas of banking and insolvency litigation, and Mohamed ElGhatit, who specialises in real estate, construction, and oil and gas disputes. Omar Abdulaziz Al Omar and Mohamed Al Sabah are noted for their criminal law disputes expertise and Suzanne Abdullah is noted for TMT and IP-related disputes.

Practice head(s):

Sherif Hikal; Mohamed ElGhatit

Other key lawyers:

Omar Abdulaziz Al Omar; Mohamed Al Sabah; Suzanne Abdullah

Testimonials

‘Mohamed ElGhatit  always has his eye on the commercial objective, brings a street-wise savvy to achieving the best results, and is conscious of value for money and results.’

‘They are a good team who understand the expectations of international clients and counsel. They know their way around the UAE court system well and are good at strategising.’

‘The firm has a number of highly regarded lawyers who are considered and known in the market as the stars of litigation in the UAE.’

Key clients

SKAT Danish Tax Authority

ALEC

Davidson Kempner

McLaren

Al Habtoor

Hilton

Nakheel

Libyan Sovereign Wealth Funds

Shapoorji Pallonji

Dubai Holding

HSBC

Dutco Holding

MAF

WSP Contracting

Siemens Group

Caterpillar

Al Otaiba Group

Arista Shipping

Access Bank

Atkins

Burlington

DEPA

Evolvence Capital

GEMS Organization

Otis

Royal International Group

Work highlights

  • Acting for SKAT – Danish Tax Authority on matter before the UAE courts in excess of AED 35 billion, with 5 primary cases and 12 ancillary actions and related cases being pursued.
  • Acting for Color Switch, a video games company, on a dispute that has arisen after the termination of a publishing agreement.
  • Acting on behalf of ALEC in defending a US$1.7 billion claim relating to a major fire at the Address Hotel in 2015.

Alsuwaidi & Company

Alsuwaidi & Company handles local disputes across a wide spectrum of sectors, with full rights of audience in the UAE. Mohammed Alsuwaidi, who has a strong background in arbitration matters, and Ali Alraeesi, who has significant experience advising on cybercrime, corporate fraud, money laundering, and defamation disputes, co-lead the group. Reda Hegazy specialises in commercial, construction, employment, medical negligence, and real estate litigation and Abdelhak Attalah focuses on shipping disputes.

Practice head(s):

Mohammed Alsuwaidi; Ali Alraeesi

Other key lawyers:

Reda Hegazy; Abdelhak Attalah; Wael Deyab

Testimonials

‘Alsuwaidi & Company is a very professional law firm. They are always open with clients and make sure to update them with the new laws.’

‘We highly appreciate the services of Wael Deyab and Mohammed Alsuwaidi.’

‘Very strong experience, knowledge and premium communication.’

‘Strong collaboration, very supportive and very honest. Clients feel very comfortable with them.’

‘They have strong knowledge in clients’ cases, give clear feedback and always keep them updated. Premium service.’

Work highlights

  • Representing a global supplier of tobacco leaves and related services in relation to breach of agreements for the sale of their goods with outstanding debt amounting to EUR 11,200,000.
  • Advising a former CEO of a well-known construction company on a case against the company and a leading regional bank in the UAE.
  • Represented a well-known investment company against a leading regional bank in a dispute involving the termination of a loan agreement.

Global Advocacy and Legal Counsel

The UAE dispute resolution team at Global Advocacy and Legal Counsel handles civil and commercial disputes, with expertise in construction, healthcare, bankruptcy, restructuring and insolvency-related matters. The team is co-led by Hassan Al Shaqsi and Ayman Merdas, who has particular expertise in white-collar crime disputes. Regional managing partner Nasser Al Osaiba focuses on construction, restructuring, and banking and finance-related disputes.

Practice head(s):

Hassan Al Shaqsi; Ayman Merdas

Other key lawyers:

Nasser Al Osaiba; Sharon Lakhan; Hana Al Khatib

Testimonials

‘They are one of best local firms available in the UAE. They are very experienced with local procedures and are very dedicated in getting the best outcome.’

‘Hana Al Khatib is very experienced, communicates very clearly, and works tirelessly to obtain the best outcome for her clients.’

Key clients

Arabtec PJSC

Abu Dhabi Capital Group

NMC Healthcare Ltd

Alvarez & Marsal Middle East

Six Construct Ltd

Work highlights

  • Acting as UAE law counsel for NMC group and the joint administrators of NMC Healthcare LTD and 35 other ADGM companies in relation to the first ever ADGM administration, including onshore litigation and advising in relation to the recognition and enforcement of an ADGM Court post administration order in the onshore UAE courts.

Habib Al Mulla & Partners

Habib Al Mulla & Partners has particular expertise handling banking and finance, white-collar crime, technology, and tax disputes. Mohamed El Khatib heads the onshore litigation group at the firm and has a broad disputes practice. Tarek Saad specialises in maritime and shipping-related matters. Amir Alkhaja was recently promoted to partner and leads the banking litigation group, while Mohamed El Baghdady leads the tax litigation arm.

Practice head(s):

Mohamed El Khatib

Other key lawyers:

Tarek Saad; Amir Alkhaja; Mohamed El Baghdady; Eman Asad

Testimonials

‘Tarek Saad helped in setting up the base for the best practices and regulations that strengthen the country’s maritime community growth.’

‘The team as a whole are open to discuss and negotiate. They look at things as the bigger picture, creating a holistic shift into creative thinking and problem solving within the law and practices.’

Key clients

Julius Baer

Dubai Refreshments Company

Olio

SPIMACO

Mashreq Bank

Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority

Majid Al Futtaim

Standard Charter Bank

Ekar and Polymath

Digital River

Work highlights

  • Represented Dubai Refreshments Company, the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) listed distributor of Pepsico, on challenges against tax penalties levied by the UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
  • Represented a UAE-based trade fair and event organiser in an appeal before the UAE high courts against fines and penalties imposed by the FTA in respect of a voluntary disclosure.
  • Represented Digital River, a global e-commerce company, in a series of appeals filed against administrative penalties imposed by the FTA in connection with delayed payment of VAT due.

Horizons & Co

Horizons & Co’s core areas of expertise include construction and property disputes. It also has expertise in commercial disputes. Ali Ismael Al Zarooni has substantial experience advising on commercial disputes, as well as in civil and criminal litigation, and Areen Jayousi has strength in property and construction disputes. Paul Suckling and Oliver Dupenois recently joined from Hadef & Partners LLC, and are noted for their arbitration expertise.

Practice head(s):

Ali Ismael Al Zarooni; Areen Jayousi

Other key lawyers:

Paul Suckling; Oliver Dupenois

Testimonials

‘The Horizons team is a significant and growing local UAE firm. It is an independent firm and therefore does not face similar conflicts issues to its larger competitors.’

‘Areen Jayousi is truly bilingual, service-oriented and commands the respect of his clients and instructors. He is passionate about his work, user-friendly, responsive and is genuinely an all-round pleasure to deal with. He is integral to the success of the Horizons’ disputes practice.’

Key clients

Horizon Gulf Electromechanical Services LLC

Heriot Watt University Dubai

Arabtec Construction LLC & Belhasa Six Construct LLC

Abaar Investments – PJS subsidiary of Mubadala Investment PJSC

IMKAN Properties LLC

FMC

Constructora San Jose S A, Constructora San Jose SA

Tav Tepe Akfen Investment Construction & Operation Company & Consolidated Contracting Engineering & Procurement S.A.L.

Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC

Work highlights

  • Acting for Horizon Gulf Electromechanical Services LLC as a subcontractor on an almost-240 million-dirham dispute concerning the Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital construction project.
  • Rrepresented Heriot Watt University Dubai against a claim by Study World Higher Education Services FZ LLC, for early termination of an agreement.
  • Acted for Arabtec Construction LLC & Belhasa Six Construct LLC, who are the parties to a joint venture which constructed one of Dubai’s most prestigious hotels, which was severely damaged by fire during a New Year’s Eve celebration, causing damage valued at AED 1.245 billion.

Ibrahim & Partners

The local litigation team at Ibrahim & Partners is led by Mohamed Abdelrehiem, who has significant experience advising on a broad range of disputes before UAE courts, covering commercial, civil, employment, construction, banking, and white-collar crime. Also noted is associate Hazem Elbagoury, who has experience handling litigation in the UAE courts.

Practice head(s):

Mohamed Abdelrehiem

Other key lawyers:

Hazem Elbagoury

Testimonials

‘The litigation team are very professional and try to find out-of-the-box alternatives for dispute resolution.’

‘Mohamed Abdelrehiem and Hazem Elbagoury are very good lawyers and litigators in terms of effective actions, timing, and cost.’

‘Very knowledgeable and client-oriented.’

‘Mohamed Abdelrehiem’s advice has always been timely and straight to the point.’

Key clients

Ismail Ali Mohamed Ahmed

Omnix International Co. LLC

Oren Hydrocarbons Middle East FZCO

Noon E Commerce Owned by Noon AD Holdings One Person Company LLC

AOL FZE

Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries

Halwani Ikhwan

Corplease

Work highlights

  • Representing Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine CJSC as one of the defendants in a multimillion dollar case (USD 9,500,000).
  • Representing over 10 ex-employees of IBM Middle East FZ-LLC in labour cases against IBM.
  • Representing Halwani Ikhwan, an FMCG tycoon, in a dispute against its UAE distributor for unlawful termination of the distribution agreement.

Mahmood Hussain Law Firm

Mahmood Hussain Law Firm covers a full range of litigation services, and has particular expertise in construction, real estate, insurance, investments, and franchising. Founding partner Mahmoud Hussain has significant experience handling litigation in the Dubai courts, and is also an accredited international arbitrator at DIAC. Kushagra Arora focuses on handling disputes for publicly listed companies, real estate developers, food and beverage groups, and high-net-worth investors.

Practice head(s):

Mahmood Hussain; Kushagra Arora

Other key lawyers:

Omar Abou Reslan; Mohamed Mutawea; Nathan Baikie

Testimonials

‘Kushagra Arora keeps an open mind and works with the client on what is a mutually acceptable way forward and options available to us .’

‘Clever and innovative strategies in local litigation; knew how to navigate the bankruptcy process in the Dubai courts to the client’s best advantage.’

‘Mahmood Hussain is a good strategist for local litigation.’

‘Kushagra Arora is a strategic mastermind and always available to assist.’

‘An excellent local Emirati-led law firm. The people are great and they are very user-friendly.’

‘Mahmood Hussain is a standout litigator and lawyer and demonstrates a mixture between legal academic and excellent experience. Nathan Baikie is an excellent associate within that team.’

‘Mohamed Mutawea is very cooperative and experienced in local litigation matters, has always been available to listen and is capable of answering queries.’

‘The law firm offers a deep understanding of the local litigation process paired with knowledge and experience representing international clients and working with international law firms. The firm also has specialized experience in arbitration-related litigations, due to which it offers unique advice and expertise from its prior experiences.’

Primecase law Firm

Primecase law Firm’ litigation practice is headed by founding and managing partner Mohammad Alshraideh, who has significant experience handling commercial, civil, and banking-related disputes. The group also has specific expertise in banking and finance litigation, covering asset finance, trade finance, and insolvency disputes. It also has a broad commercial litigation offering, with particular strength in shareholders’ disputes, as well as healthcare, retail, and IP disputes.

Practice head(s):

Mohammad Alshraideh

Testimonials

‘Knowledge and experience of the international and regional laws. Strong experience in the arbitration cases and procedures. Overall, they are well experienced to handle international and regional cases.’

‘The Primecase team is made of highly qualified, very experienced partners that aren’t only knowledgeable, but impeccable at client relations, allowing them to consistently offer a personalised service to clients.’ 

‘Experienced solicitors are a dime a dozen, the key difference here is how cases are handled in an incredibly mindful and personal way. The team at Primecase is accessible, they care and always ensure they act ethically when providing advice.’

‘This is not just about billable hours, but about how can they best serve and benefit their clients. They truly redefine client management.’

Key clients

Aramex International LLC

Mazrui International LLC

Ian Banham & Associates Consulting Engineers

Emirates National Investment

Kia Corporation

Al Rostamani Group

MGM Muthu Centre and Hotels

The Trustees Panel of KBBO CPG Investment LLC

Emirates Hospitals Group

Qubaisi

Lootah Group

Prince Raed Bin Zaid

Prince Mir’e Bin Raed, Chief Chamberlain of His Majesty King Abdulla

KASB Capital

STS Electromechanical

PJP Investments Group LLC

Work highlights

  • Represented Al Rostamani Group LLC in the UAE court regarding the invalidity of a preliminary and the additional arbitration awards due to their violation of a public order.
  • Represented Suleiman bin Muhammad bin Wali Al-Din Suleiman in the UAE court regarding seeking a judgment to terminate the two contracts of sale and purchase of units from DAMAC Star Real Estate Company LLC.
  • Represented Al Habtoor Holding (L.L.C) in a financial claim of the amount of AED 63,764,423.40, and the legal interest of 12%.