Galadari, Advocates & Legal Consultants > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Firm Profile
Galadari, Advocates & Legal Consultants Offices
AL GHUBAIBA STREET
PO BOX 7992
DUBAI
United Arab Emirates
- Go to...
- Rankings
- Firm Profile
- Main Contacts
- Lawyer Profiles
- Diversity/Community
- Client Testimonials
- Press Releases
- Legal Developments
Galadari, Advocates & Legal Consultants > The Legal 500 Rankings
United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: local litigation Tier 2
Galadari, Advocates & Legal Consultants' managing partner Ahmed Galadari heads the firm's Dubai, DIFC and Abu Dhabi litigation and dispute resolution practice and has particular dispute resolution expertise in construction and shipping. Abdulla Galadari has extensive litigation experience and specialises in litigation that involves M&A transactions, debt recovery and fraud. Employment and real estate are key areas of focus for Lebanese-qualified Fadi Hassoun and senior counsel Marwan Al Cherkeh has a strong background in banking and financial services.Practice head(s):
Ahmed Galadari; Abdulla Galadari; Marwan Al Cherkeh; Hassan Tawakalna; Fadi Hassoun
Testimonials
‘Galadari provide good services to clients, they have stayed up to date with the development of the law and able to provide their in depth knowledge to support clients.’
‘Abdulla Galadari’s expertise and legal knowledge is second to none.’
‘One of the most established names in the UAE legal environment with tremendous local knowledge and expertise and a true delight to work with.’
Key clients
Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (“ADNIC”)
Dubai Holding
Dubailand®
TECOM Group
Shuaa Capital
Al Sagr National Insurance Company (“ASNIC”)
Abu Dhabi Financial Group (ADFG)
Islamic Arab Insurance Company PJSC (Salama)
Dubai Properties Group
Frayland Construction
Dubai Real Estate Centre
Sheikh Faisal Al Mualla
Action Group Holdings
Al Ghurair Construction Aluminium LLC
Samsung Engineering
Imdaad
DEPA Group PJSC
DAMAC
Meraas
Global Village®
Qatar Insurance Company PJSC
Al Shafar Properties
Al Shafar Transport & Contracting Co. LLC
Al Ghurair Construction Aluminium
Al Ghurair Construction Masonry
Al Ghurair Construction Readymix
Work highlights
- Representing and defending ADNIC in all types of insurance coverage claims negligence.
United Arab Emirates > Real estate Tier 3
Galadari, Advocates & Legal Consultants has a particular focus on the hospitality sector and advises on all aspects of hotel acquisition and management. Manish Narayan co-heads the real estate practice and assists clients with real estate development projects, real estate funds, distribution agreements and franchising. Chairman and fellow practice head Ziad Galadari is another key point of contact.Practice head(s):
Ziad Galadari; Manish Narayan
Key clients
Dubai Holding
Meraas
Dubai Properties Group
Dubailand
TECOM
Dubai Media City
Business Bay
Dubai Tourism Authority
Action Group Holidays
Action Real Estate
Novotel Dubai
Premier Development
Sheikh Mubarak bin Abdulla Al Sabah
Thalia Real Estate
ERAA Restaurant Management LLC
Emerald Palace Group
Cranstal International Limited
Vandis
Asia Africa Trading FZE
Downtown Hotel
Javad Tavakoli Toroghi
PRG Global Restaurants Management LLC
Galadari Real Estate Investments
Work highlights
- Advised Downtown Hotel on negotiating the terms of a hotel operator agreement in relation to its AED 10 Million hotel in Dubai.
- Advised Cranstal International Limited on its investment strategy and helped with setting up entities for the sole purpose of investing and acquiring real estate within the UAE.
- Acted for Asia Africa Trading FZE in an asset management dispute arising from breach of the contractual provisions of the asset management agreement in relation to its AED 45 million commercially leased property.
United Arab Emirates > Shipping Tier 3
Galadari, Advocates & Legal Consultants‘ shipping and transportation team specialises in contentious work and are frequently instructed to act on disputes involving ship arrests, cargo claims, collisions and casualties. Managing partner Ahmed Galadari heads the practice and is supported by senior counsel Shani Salim.Practice head(s):
Ahmed Galadari; Shani Salim
Key clients
Globelink West Star Shipping LLC
Logwin Air & Ocean Middle East LLC
New India Assurance Co. Ltd.
SKULD
CNS Logistics LLC
Yacht International LLC
Gulf First Shipping LLC
Asian Tiger Shipping LLC
IAL Logistics Emirates LLC
Seamark Shipping LLC
Consolidated Shipping Services LLC
Al Barrak Shipping Agencies Co. LLC
Kintetsu Worldwide Express (Middle East) FZE
Ayzan E-gistics LLC
New India Assurance Co. Ltd.
Navio Shipping LLC
Work highlights
- Acted on behalf of Yacht International Co. Ltd. and filed a civil case against the owners and managers of the vessel, M.V. Kayuramin in order to recover the outstanding payments for the agency services provided to the vessel.
United Arab Emirates > Construction Tier 4
Galadari, Advocates & Legal Consultants showcases strong cross-border capabilities and advises various government entities and government-owned companies on construction projects. Dean O’Leary heads the firm's construction and infrastructure practice and has played a key role in bolstering the practice's international arbitration offering. Daniel Brawn is noted and specialises in construction-related arbitration. Senior partner Abdulla Galadari is another key point of contact.Practice head(s):
Dean O’Leary; Abdulla Galadari
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘I have worked with a partner Dean O’Leary on construction matters and find the practice to be exacting in its high requirements for good quality work – both that it produces and that it commissions. Speed of response is very good as is willingness to have VC’s at very short notice.’
‘Local knowledge is the key for the partner Dean O’Leary. His knowledge of the local construction market and the UAE framework laws surrounding it is standout in my opinion.’
Key clients
TECOM Investment FZ-LLC
Dubailand
Dubai Properties
Dubai Holding
Meraas
DEPA Group PJSC
Al Rawabi Dairy Company
Al Ghurair Construction
Carrara Mid-East Industrial Co. LLC
Al Ghurair Construction Readymix
Sheikh Faisal Al Mualla
Naresco Contracting LLC
DAMAC Star Properties LLC
AG Melco Elevator Co. LLC
Frayland Construction
Work highlights
- Representing Frayland LLC in two major contracting disputes.
- Represented Depa Group in a dispute against Ghantoot Transport and General Contracting LLC.
United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 5
Galadari, Advocates & Legal Consultants' corporate practice in Dubai is led by corporate specialist Ken Dixon and founding partner Ziad Galadari, who has in-depth projects and infrastructure expertise. Fadi Hassoun heads the firm's Abu Dhabi offering.Practice head(s):
Ziad Galadari; Ken Dixon; Fadi Hassoun
Testimonials
‘The team is very professional and understands the requirements of the client and provides legal opinions in a timely manner.’
‘Abdullah Galadari goes the extra mile to under the business requirements of the client.’
‘The care and attention to detail from all of the staff helps them stand out.’
‘They are always available to help and will get things done properly and promptly.’
‘They are very business focussed which is invaluable.’
‘They come up with solutions to problems rather than more questions, which is the opposite of all other law firms I have worked with.’
Key clients
Government of Umm Al Quwain
Dubai Holding and subsidiaries
Sterling Business Services DMCC
Meraas
Energy Drilling
Dubai Airports
Fujisoft
Nikai
Permapipe
Planet Pharmacy
Gulf Explosives
Shuaa Capital
Abu Dhabi financial Group
Government of Ajman
Unicredit SpA
Dubai Properties Group
Tecom
Federal Customs Authority
Umm al Quwain Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation
Dubailand®
Business Bay LLC
Dubai Production City
Dubai Media City
Energy Drilling International
National Bonds Corporation
Dubai Investments PJSC
Philips
Taaleem
Fujairah Gold
Eagleburgmann
Work highlights
- Advised the Government of Umm Al Quwain on IWP project and venture with ACWA Power Water and Power Projects, Mubadala and the Federal Electricity and Water Authority.
- Advised on the acquisition of a majority shareholding of Fujisoft to an undisclosed Singapore-based entity.
- Advised Action Group on a transaction worth $1.8m concerning the acquisition of a majority shareholding in a free zone establishment based in Hamriyah Free Zone carrying out oilfield equipment supply and maintenance services to Action Group (the “FZE”).
Galadari, Advocates & Legal Consultants > Firm Profile
Galadari has a deep-rooted legacy across the Emirates, given its establishment dates back to 1983, when founder and now Chairman, Ziad Galadari, commenced his journey into creating an effective legal impact within the country. As one of the first full-service law firms, the team focus on delivering an effective, efficient and exceptional client service, delivered through our diverse group of professionals.
Our qualified teams comprise of locally qualified Emirati and International lawyers, who have worked in advanced economies, supporting clients with a wide variety of legal challenges. Furthermore, our large team of advocates have rights of audience in all levels of UAE courts and tribunals. The team is led by Senior Partner, Abdulla Galadari, who has been recognised as the ‘leading individual’ (The Legal 500: 2018) for his outstanding contribution to the profession.
The firm offers its services across the Emirates, whilst having offices in Dubai, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi, from where we offer a broad spectrum of services which include contentious and non-contentious construction and real estate, energy and infrastructure projects, corporate, commercial, banking and finance transactions and disputes, regulatory and compliance, anti-bribery and white-collar crime.
We offer comprehensive legal services which include:
- Arbitration, litigation and dispute resolution
- Corporate and commercial
- Compliance and regulatory
- Intellectual property and data protection
- Insurance and reinsurance
- Healthcare and medical malpractice
- Employment
- Construction and infrastructure
- Real estate and property
- Banking and financial institution
- Maritime and transport
We have supported a diverse range of clients across sectors, of which some include:
- Government and government-owned entities
- Banks and financial institutes
- Real estate developers and investors
- Construction and engineering firms
- Family conglomerates
- Private clients
- Hospitals, clinics and pharmaceutical/life sciences companies
- Maritime and logistics companies
- Media and telecommunications providers
- Oil and gas, related services and renewable energy companies
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman & Founder | Ziad Galadari | ||
| Managing Partner | Ahmed Galadari | ||
| Senior Partner | Abdulla Galadari | ||
| Partner | Dean O'Leary | ||
| Partner | Fadi Hassoun | ||
| Partner | Mojahed Al Sebae | ||
| Partner | Ken Dixon | ||
| Partner | Peter J. Bowring | ||
| Partner | Manish Narayan | ||
| Legal Consultant | Abdelgadir Ali | ||
| Head of IP & Data Protection | Raka Roy | ||
| Senior Counsel - Shipping | Shani Salim | ||
| Senior Counsel – Medical Negligence | Stephen Ballantine | ||
| Senior Associate | Marwan Al Cherkeh | ||
| Senior Associate | Daniel Brawn | ||
| Senior Associate | Mohammed Hassan Tawakalna | ||
| Senior Associate | Gerry Rogers | ||
| Senior Associate | Aeeda Ibrahim | ||
| Senior Associate | Hussein Demardash | ||
| Senior Associate | Emad El Habbak | ||
| Senior Associate | Mahmood Al Mashhadani | ||
| Senior Associate | Maria Palmou | ||
| Senior Associate | Mostafa Shehata | ||
| Senior Associate | Victoria Yates | ||
| Senior Associate | Taha Ramadan | ||
| Senior Advocates | Mohd. Abdulwahed | ||
| Advocates | Rashed Al Sumaity |
Lawyer Profiles
Languages
Arabic Urdu Spanish Italian French Greek Afrikaans English Hindi and other regional languagesMemberships
Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts Chambers & PartnersDiversity/Community
Galadari has been a long-standing and contributing law firm across the Emirates, giving back to its community. Notably, we are one of only five law firms to have collaborated with the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs (GLAD), where we have created, developed and delivered a continuing professional legal development course (CPD).
In our ongoing effort to continue developing the skills of the wider business community, our clients and the future generation of the Emirates, we deliver regular CPD seminars, share insights and deliver sessions through our lawyers on subjects which include: Civil Law, Corporate and Commercial, Finance, Intellectual Property, Insurance, Employment, Construction, and Real Estate.
As part of our commitment to Emiratisation, the firm provides internships and training contracts for young Emirati law students and new graduates. This aids them in gaining valuable on-the-job experience by shadowing an experienced lawyer and fulfilling requirements to qualify with the Ministry of Justice and obtain a federal lawyers license. As a result of this effort over 30 Emirati lawyers have opened their own offices and now provide ongoing impact to the country.
As a socially responsible firm, we are proud to be members of the Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), which is a unique independent forum that works towards promoting and creating green building policies and regulations throughout the UAE.
We are currently committed to providing 1,000 hours of pro bono service to the wider legal community through the Dubai Legal Affairs Department (DLAD) worth AED 1.8m, as well as free training seminars and presentations to clients as part of our value-added services. Furthermore, we were proud participants of the Goods Will Initiative campaign and were recognised by the Dubai courts.
Alongside this, we provide an environment which supports diversity and inclusion, ensuring that our active recruitment policies place no bias when attracting and retaining talent. Our firm currently offers a service in 16 different languages and is represented by professionals from around the world.
Client Testimonials
CLIENT: Mona Al Abdoli, VP Legal
COMPANY/FIRM: Dubai Airports
TESTIMONIAL: We have dealt with Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants for a number of years now and have always found them to be cooperative, attended to details and professional. The Firm supported our business (corporate matters) in number of Legal Projects and their input found to be helpful and to the point, we will surely be dealing with the Firm for our future projects.
CLIENT: Andrew Lindley, Interim CEO and CFO
COMPANY/FIRM: Action Hotels Company
TESTIMONIAL: Galadari Advocates and Legal Consultants have represented and advised us in several projects. We have found them to be highly competent, thorough and considerate. The key contact lawyers including Mr. Abdullah Ziad Galadari and staff stayed in close contact with us and are very approachable, friendly, respectful and tireless in their efforts and quality of advice. We are thankful that we selected the Galadari team to represent us and would highly recommend them.
CLIENT: Mohammed Al Shehhi, Chairman Executive Committee
COMPANY/FIRM: Dubai Real Estate Centre
TESTIMONIAL: I want to commend Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants on the excellent legal services provided by them in connection with the recent company formation of our three companies. Galadari has all the attributes I expect in a good law firm: knowledge, seasoned experience, professionalism, integrity, strategic thinking, enthusiasm and responsiveness. On a personal note, I very much enjoyed working with Abdulla Galadari on this. His dedication, concern and interest in the task and in me as a client were very much appreciated. In summary, Galadari has earned my most enthusiastic recommendation.
CLIENT: Kunal Chowdry, Chief Compliance Officer, MLRO and Head of Legal
COMPANY/FIRM: BOK International Bank
TESTIMONIAL: We have retained Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants to aid us in our day-to-day legal needs based on the firm’s great reputation, and they have gone above and beyond in their support and assistance to a point where they no longer feel like legal consultants but more like an integral part of our Bank.
CLIENT:
COMPANY/FIRM: Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company
TESTIMONIAL: Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants is part of our panel of lawyers. The litigation department at Galadari has been supporting us in a timely and professional manner while maintaining a friendly line of conduct. We always feel that every member of the team is available to provide us with all the help that we might require.
CLIENT: Humaid Rashid Al Shamsi, Secretary General, Executive Council
COMPANY/FIRM: Government of Umm Al Quwain
TESTIMONIAL: I have been dealing with Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants for the past 3-years and I am glad to work with dedicated personnel who provide thorough and detailed advices and consultancy. The communication with the lawyers is very fast, clear and on time. They are friendly and always trustworthy. I am always happy to deal with Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants, and I appreciate every single efforts made by their team.
Press Releases
UAE issues Resolution for percentage of Emirati lawyers and legal consultants in foreign law firms and legal consultancy offices.
19th January 2023 Effective from 2 January 2023, Resolution No. 105 of 2022 in relation to percentage of Emirati lawyers and legal consultants in foreign law firm and legal consultancy offices.Dubai government launches the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’.
19th January 2023 On 4 January 2023, the Dubai government launched the Dubai Economic Agenda (‘D33’) with a view to grow the economy of Dubai by 2033 and position itself in one of the topmost global cities in the world.Galadari Advocates and Legal Consultants promotion round continues with Corporate & Commercial lawyer Gerry Rogers nomination as Partner
13th July 2022 Galadari Advocates continues to strengthen its corporate & commercial practice with Gerry Rogers promoted to Partner in the firm’s DIFC office.Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants strengthens their offering and market position further with the promotion of Partner Raka Roy
28th March 2022 Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants (Galadari) is pleased to announce the promotion of Intellectual Property and Data Protection Lawyer Raka Roy to Partner, as part of the firm’s strategic plans to bolster our commercial offerings.Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants appoints Matthew Donovan as Partner
20th March 2019Galadari Advocates& Legal Consultants, one of the leading integrated law firms in the region,announces the appointment of Matthew Donovan as a partner based in the firm’sheadquarters in Dubai.
And It Was the IP Strategy That Made My Business Plan Edgy!
20th March 2019For both Ariana and Asma it was critical that their respective business plans get accepted. While Araina was trying to win the investors for her start up, Asma wanted her much awaited promotion from the board of directors. While Ariana did crack the deal,sadly Asma didn’t.
Out with the Old, In With the New: Comparing DIFC and ADGM Arbitration Law
20th March 2019The UAE has implemented a major initiative to update its laws and procedures, by adopting best international practice to encourage foreign direct investment and trade more generally with the UAE. There was a new Companies Law in 2015, a Bankruptcy Law in 2016, tax laws in 2017, and a Federal Arbitration Law and Foreign Direct Investment Law in 2018. In addition to that, Federal law No. 18 of 2017 amended the Companies Law to allow the authorities to dis-apply the requirement for 51% local ownership of UAE companies. A clear message is being sent to the world that the UAE is open for business, there is a strong modern structure in place in a form which is familiar to the big international players and which will serve their business needs.
Are Security Cheques Still an Effective Form of Security in Dubai?
20th March 2019Cheques are the most commonly used commercial paper in the UAE not only because they are used as a method of payment, but also, because they are the only commercial paper secured by the provisions of the UAE’s Penal Code (the “Penal Code”)to enhance confidence in cheques as a form of payment. As a result, cheques have been used for decades in the local market as a form of security.
Arbitration in The UAE Under the New Arbitration Law
20th March 2019Arbitration practice and procedure has developed rapidly in the UAE, and the courts now take a far more pro-active role in supporting the arbitration process and enforcing arbitral awards. This movement can be seen progressively in Cassation Court judgments over the past ten years and is now recognised in Federal Law No. 6 of 2018 on Arbitration (the “new Arbitration Law”), which repealed and replaced the old arbitration law in Articles 203 to 218 of Federal Law No. 11 of 1992. The old law did not reflect international best practice and left too much scope for the award debtor to avoid making payment